The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-06-21
aDisfeliany.



phlet, page %, says, g the conduct pursued
bore sufficient marks of courage and elevation
10 raise the national character to TN exalted
height throughout Europe,
Much il is to be deplosed that we should
have been precipitated from this proud eini-
nencc, without necessity, without sterfpta-
ton. 4
1t is the habitual practice Of our parties,
to affirm or deny, as they find it to their pur-
pose, the honour or the disgrace that is pro-
duced in Europe by our measures. But nci-
thcr party know any thing about the matter.
The truth is, that our affairs are much less
spoken or fhn.isyks of,- iss Europe, than we
imagine. In all parts of Europe, but espc-
cially in France and England, they are con-
stantly misreprescnted and mis,ihderstood.--
Most of all in England. Twill venture to say,
that Mr.. Hamilton wrote entirely at random,
and without glimmering of genuine infor-
nation, when he mentioned both the cxalta-
ton and precipitation of our national charac-
ter. To appeal to the courtiers or cabinet,
or to the diplomatick corps in Europe, would
be idle because none of them will ever read
llamilton's pamphlet or these papers. But
| would not hesitate to, submit the whole sub
Ject to any of them. ! shall take another
course. Chief Justice Ellsworth is no more.
can no longer appeal to him. If could,
would say no more. thun the truth, but it
would be more than shall now say and
aver that his representation TO me was the di-
rect reverse of Hamilton's dogmatical asscr-
.tions. Govcrnour Davic still lives, and to
him appealwith confidence, lie declared
to me, that to Judge of the conduct of the A.
epIc
other preparations for war, and in their polit-
ical and diplomatick negotiations upon that
occasion, man must SO to Europe, where
it was considered as the greatest dcmonstra-
tion of genius, hrmness and wisdom. If
represent the Governour's expressions in
stronger terms than those he used, request
him to correct them.
In England, know the Anti-Jacobin Jour-
nal abused us, and SO Gid M Donald, ACobbctt,
Smith, and every Briton in Europe and A.
merica, who wished us at war with France,
and in alliance with England. But even in
England all the sober part Of the nation ar-
plaudcd us, and that to such degree, that It
soon became the popular cry, t" We must i'm
itate the United States of America, change
our ministers, and make peace" Accord
ingly they did soon change their ministers
and make peace at Amicns.
MIR. Liston, whose character respect, had
run through long course Of diplomatick ex-
periencc in various courts and countries in
Europe, from secretary of legation and
charge dcs afiaires, 10 the grade Of minister
plenipotentiary, and thence to that of ambas-
sadour at Constantinope, was probably bet :
ter Judge than Mr.. Hamilton, who h-d no
experience at all in any diplomatick station,
and who, dare to say, had read very little on
the subject of diplomatick functions, and still
less of the history of embassies or of the prin-
ted dispatches of aInbassadours. Mr.. Liston,
If any body, knew what would procure honour
to nation or government, and what disgrace |:
what would raise the dignity, or what depress
it what was triumph, and what humiliation.
Now affirm, that the first time Mr.. Lis
ton saw me after he had been informed of
the communications of the French Directo-
ry, through Talleyrand, Mr.. Pichon and Mr..
Murray, he said to me these words" TO
rhat humiHafions wiN not these Erenchmen
sfooh, 20 a1ltease you? lam Dery sory for
h I oson, I did hone they ruould have gone to
var uiM you." l smiled, Tut made no an
swer. wanted no proof Of the sincerity of
this declaration. doubted not the sincerity
OF his wish, more than did that of Mr.. Can
ming and his associates in the Anti-Jacobin,
who, upon receiving the news of Mr.. MUIR
rays's nomination, proclaimed that iacobinism
was triumphant and carrying all before it in
America. They could not, or would not,
distinguish between jacobinism and neutrali-
ty. Every thing with them was jacobinism,
except war with France and an alliance with
Great Britain. They all painted for war be-
tween the United States and France as sin
cereiy, though not SO ardently, as ALExAS-
DER HAMILTON.
There were not wanting insinuations and
instigations to me, to confer with Mr.. Lision
OH the subject Of an alliance with Great Bri-
tain. And Mr.. l.. himself repeatedly sug-
gested to me, in very modest and delicate
terms, however, his readiness to enter into
any explanations on that head. always