Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-06-20
From the BOSTON GAZETTE.

TO his Ercellency Governor Gerry.
E go No. /.
~BY BOSTON REBEL.
.Mav it please yoitr Encellency,
Isshall not solicit your Excellency's at
tcntion, because know shall have 1t. 1t
is a wise ordinance of Providence, that no
man, however elevated his situation, and
il Iced however Independent of the sutfrag-
es of his fellow men, is altogether indH-
ferent to their opinions. The honors and
glories of the greatest men are transient
and we are all anxious to know not only
what posterity will think Of US, but what
NAV be the opinion of the world whether
contempt, hatred or respect, when the ve-
nv fleeting popularity Of the moment may
have passed away. There were some
short-sighted men, who augered well from
the deceitful promises of the first year Of
YOUR political life. ! was not among the
number. / have not been accustomed to
expect to gather figs Of thistles, or grapes
Of brambles.
Your Excellency's public life was too
well known to me, to permit Inc to con-
strue your delightful expression Of plea
sure and philanthropy, at an unexpected
elevation to a place twenty years sought
for in vain, and for which the public voice
if it be the voice of Cod had as often de-
clared you unfit, into sincere disposition
to govern your state with impartiaiity and
dignity. / saw in you, as l believe all
honest men will finally perceive, only a
seeker for power and place-A sycophant
Of that part Of the people upon whose
suffragcs you depended for support, and
Indifferent to the public peace aad harmo-
nv, as we'll as the rights Of the minority,
provided your own promotion and popula-
rity could be obtained. This, Sir. is plain
language and may seem to you uncourtly
but YOU will recollect, that in your late
message to the legislature you have
thrown aside robes of office you have
descended into the arena; you have barred
your arm and breast for the contlict-you
have challenged the humblest OF the citi-
zens, to measure his strength and prOwess
with your own. BY accusing us OF high
crimes and misdemeanors, you compel us
to put ourselves on defence.
Unaccustomed to this Gladiatorial war
fare, yet attached to the right OF the citi-
zens which you have invaded or rather de-
MED, determined to support the honor, and
loyalty, and patriotism, of the Capital OF
our own State. which its chief magistrate
has, permit me to say, unprovokedly, I'M
Justly, and harshly a&sailed, l shall, Sir,
with boldness becoming freeman, and
one perfectly conscious of all the high
responsibilities attached to the undertak-
ing, proceed to consider at large the me-
rits of your ExcelIency's communication
to both houses.
shall not, Sir, stop to remark upon the
gross Inconsistency of a man who was for
nearly twelve years in opposition to the
beet administrations which our country has
ever known, who is supported by party
which produced an actual insurrection and
rebellion in our own state, and two fOrmi-
dable rebellions in Pennsylvania, in vent
ing his impotent, and unauthorized ana
themas against his political opponents,
who calmly, coolly, and deliberately as
scmbled, without riot, disorder or threat,
and expressed their opinions, as freemen
havea right, and are bound to DO, OF the
impolicy and injustice Of the measures OF
a certain majority of their rulers.
In discussing your excellency commu-
nication, shall have occasion to resort to
first principles, and to authorities of the
weight Of which your excellency will not
dispute, because your vanity may lead you
to'say, s'Quorum pars magma, full"
But before I enter upon this discussion,
you will permit me to ask, what portion
ofthe duties assigned to you by the consti-
tuition. authorized you to utter denunci-
alton against the inhabitants of the capt.
tai ofyour own state. lit had been true,
which you know it was not, because you
visit the town daily, and know the orderly,
correct, polite, and respectful demeanor Of
its Inhabitants buf IF IL had heen tr,e