Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-11-22
alaranprta Datlp @a,ettf.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER ~.

y Z
him and our government in different point
Of view from that exhibited in the National
Intelligencer. If Mr.. Smith actually knew
of Mr.. Erskine's Instructions, though ii
might be indecorous in Mr., Jackson to tell
him so, vet it was certainly imprudent IN
him to denyit. Every thing which appears
serves to cast light on this delicate subject.
1t is now very evident that there has been
talsehood and deception some where. For
the honor Of the officers of our government
we hope the imputation of bad faith will not
rest on them but we confess that this same
circular letter makes things look squaAy.-
Mr.. Smith did, or did not know of Mr.. Err
skine's Instructions. IF he did know of
them, what are we to think of the official
note in the National Intelligencer ?Ifhe did
not know Of them how are we to account
for the acknowledgement mentioned in the
circular These are serious questions
We hope MIR. Smith is not divided against
himself, for if he is he will be in danger of
falling.
The following observations on the note
whichappe..red in the National Intelligen-
Ger, announcing the rupture of negocia-
ton between our government and MIR.
Jackson, are copied from the Norfolk
Ledger--we thiak they will be found
worthy of pernsal from the view they
take of the su5ject.-ED. GAz,
The preceding important article, although
1t does not come to us as official, we regard
as substantially true, and SO regarding it,
We snail STATS the impression it has made
upon our mind. We are pleased at two
circumstances which this article discloses
--hest that the arrangement made by MIR.
Erskine, was unauthorized by his govern
'nsnr and secondly, that his powers or in.
struct0ns were not previously communi
Gated to Our government. The two 90
vernments therefore have nothing upon this
point to upbrad each with, although the
conduct OF the agents of rHS g.
vernnent is liable TO much, censure Judg-
ing upon the subject as far as 1t IS before
the public. Mr.. Erskine in making an ar
rangementtor which he was not authorised,
has committed an act for which no excuse
can be made, and from which act it is I'M
possible now to foresee all the mischief
which will result.
The conduct Of Mr.. Jackson, our 60
vcrnment has with equal dignity and pru-
deuce regarded as the Incorporate conduct
Of an individual, and for which his govern
naent neither can nor ough! to be RESPONSE
bic. It is possible, and probable that Mr..
Jackson rlav have received information,
that in the first instance induced him to
think tha; oG. government was informed of
the nature and'eStznt Of Mr.. Erskine's in
structions but that being denied by our
governmen>, : ysltcrst,on Of The charge af-
forwards, was contrary to the rules of COM
moa poiiteness, AMI, except in the instance
OF Genst's revolutionary diplomacy, with
ou,.examp,e.
II was impossible that the government Of
the United States could submit to have its
veracity questioned upon such delicate
and important subject, IN which the feel
ings ana interests Of this nation had been
SO strongly excited, and deeply concerned.
! There appeared no other course but that
| Which has been pursued by Mr.. Madison,
/ and for which the example of gen. Wash
ington in the case of Genet, furnished a
precedent, worthy of imitation. Whatever
may be our genera opinion of the admins
,ration, we hope that it will resist the insults
of foreign governments or its agents, with
pronaptness and frn,ness. We see how the
poor enslaved governments of the continent
of Europe are humbied and insulted by the
ministers Of Napoleon, and wish to see no.
thing of that sort in our country; and here