Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-09-06
+ Read this, americans.
Fran the Mcv 1ork Evening Post.
THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF.
No. I.

published his highly interesting and import
ant work respecting the man to whom Mr.
Jefferson entrusted the command OF the ar
nv of the United States, and continue him
in the same, with full knowledge OF his
guilt.
The book is entitled /" Proofs Of the car.
ruption Of general James Wilkinson, and Of
his connection zuifh aaron Burr; with a
| full refHat:on Of his s!anacrous allegations
in relation to the character Of the principal
zvitness against hsm.
| have read no piece Of controversial wri-
ting since Whitaktr's " Vndication If Ne
~" that has surpassed the little volumn be-
fore me, in closeness and PersPicuity of
reasoning, or energy and beauty of stile.-
The conviction it leaves upon the mind is or
nature so perfectly satisfactory that not a
doubt remains TO be solved, not qus s1ion
remains to be asked. 1t certainly is one of
the most complete triumphs of virtue and
talents over vilainy and meanness the world
ever Witnessed. All who can purchase this
book ought to get it; but mean to treat
my distant and numerous readers who have
not the means Of procuring it, with copious
extracts. The following is the introduc-
ton:
s. Whatever pleasure is derived from the
punishment of crimes, it IS always painful
to become the instrument of lnaicting il. 1t
was therefore with regret that found Ny
self called on to lay before the house ct re-
representatives. the information possessed OF
general Wilkinsoa's treachery and corrnP-
ton.
This regret was heightened by the idea
that part at least of ny information bad
been acquired from the voluntary confession
Of The party accused, and bre2lh OF conh-
dence was SO rcpusnant TO my feelings, that
although the conhdencc WIGS unsought, but
rather pressed upon me- to prevent, be-
ieve. a disclosure Of facts b, .ore kncw,yet
strong sense Of duty alone could have Ia
duced me to obey the call OF toe house l
complied with it; and my evidence estab-
lished direct confession Of guilt. Little
foresight was necessary to discover that ,ha'
this would expose ne % every attack that
could be made upon 81 ) rePutatlon--ltw was
verified By the event; every crime III the
catalogue Of human depravity was inmedl
ately imputed to NE, and the bas=st and
most contemplate arts were used, however,
| with SO little success, thar although in no.
| m. mt of warmth had thought it uHnecessa-
! nv 10 promise the public refutasion Of the
charg> S, / yet On cooler consideration OF
their absureity had nearly determined to
! treat them with silent contempt. | thought
/ that the motives of the calumniator would
be plainly perceived and that character,
whchwas founded in a vrtuous education,
and formed by habitual attention to It's
! prscep,s, could not be injured by the unsup
! rorttd accusations Ct wretch, weighed
! down still more by prohigacy and crimes
than by years, and sinking under pressur,
OF public adherence and contempt. was
moreover convinced that in vindicatin6 my
self should be obliged to undertake TIL
J disgusting task of pursuing my accnse'
Though all the mire OF speculation and vice,
in which he had endeavored to conceal his
treason and corruption. My aversion to
this Office would have induced me to remain
silent, If had not reflected that the unac-
! countable favor granted to general Wllkln-
son by tie executive mi ht weigh among the
part!sans of the president, outweigh the
strong proof of his guilt, and that every
doubt on that subject must create one OF my
veracity.
But the important trust which has lately
been committed to him, forms motive IN
hnitely stronger than any personal conside-
misunderstanding, as do, That he has for
years been the pensioner Of foreign power
that his hire was paid for the dismember.
ment and ruin of his country-and beiiev-
;nA as firmly believe, that the same wa
ges are yet paid for the same iniquity,
cannot with indifference, behold him placed
in that very situation, In which be can with