Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-05-31

this, should look you 10 the face, anc say
=" he loved you!" do not ask what you
would think; but what would be your feel
inga ? Would you not hurl defiance at the
aggressor; and avenge your wrongs -
The individual case supposed, is but an inn
perfect representation OF the insults and 10.
juries received by our government and ci-
tizens from the Emperor of France. And
yet our rulers, to whom the people have
confined their interests, and to whom they
look for direction-far from resenting, and
demanding satisfaction--daren not even ex-
press the ordinary feelings of men at these
unexampled ouirages If sometimes a
faint murmur of complaint escapes, and
they direct their minister at Paris to say,
that the publicfeelings" have been excited
by the language and conduct of the French
government towards the United States, yet
it is with extreme caution, lest his Imperial
Majesty should be offended. For the di.
rect, medita.rd insult in the letter of the
French minister Chanpasny, of Jan. Is,
1so8,* our government, instead of demand
ing reparaton, sought only for an eeplana-
ton. And lest language too bold for the
tender and delicate susceptibility of Mr..
Jefferson AID Mr.. Madison, in relation to
France, should be used by the American
minister, Gen. Armstrong-he is instruct.
ed, in presenting the Presidents gentle
complaint, " to take care, whilst he should
make the French government sensible OF
the offensive tone employed, lin Champag.
ny's letter. to leave the way open for friend
ly andrespectful explanations, ifthere should
be disposition to offer them!" Gen. Arm.
strong scrupulously obeyed his instructions.
In his letter to the French minister he says
-" HIS Excellency will be persuaded that
the President, in directing this representa-.
ton, had no object in View beyond that Of
seeing an explanation, which cannot but
tend 20 promote the harmony of the two
powers. but no explanation was given.
The words were too plain to need it. The
insult was intended. The French Ertpe.
ror had long before ascertained the charac-
| ters of the men to whom the insult was spe.
cially addressed: and he disdained to an.
swer such miserable suppliants. He had
long considered, and at length openly pro.
nounced them to be, without just political
views, without honour, without energy."-
And what independent American, taking
correct view of the conduct Of the adj.
ministrations of Mr.. Jefferson and Mr..
Madison, especially for the four last years
but, stung with equal shame and regret
for his fallen country, humb!ed and debased
by their syste m OF government-can avoid
admitting the reproach of the Emperor,
horribly insulting as it is, to be just?
From this picture of our degraded coun-
try, turn to take glance at its features at
former me morable period.
Had the United States not known France
until within the last four ears; if the per-
hdy, rapacity and injustice of her govern.
ment had not been experienced long
torbearance on the part Of Mr.. Jefferson
and Mr.. Madison might have been excu-
sable. But on this head those gentlemen
had nothing to learn. They both perfectly
understood the character ofthe French 60.
vernment.-From the issuing OF the Berlin
and Milan DEGREES to this day, the conduct
of the French emperor Ito say nothing of
his atrocities committed all over Continen-
tai Europe) has been repetition, but with
aggravatons, of the ou,rages OF the Dnec-
tory, when France called herself republic.
The open violation of her solemn treaties
with the United States has been the same |;
and the same her contempt for the law OF
nations. The principles of Robbers, and
Pirates, and Tyrants, have directed the
measures ct the government as well OF rr.
publican as ofimperial France.
Under the preceding administrations OF
the American government, while France
appeared onder the form of a republic, the
In Mr. Madison's statement of this insult
Lletter to Gen. Armstrong, May q 1909 he SAYS
lit presented 10 the United States the alternative OF
bending to the views Of France against her enemy
OF mourning conscation OF all the property OF their
citizens carried into the French prize courts; and inn
pied that they Ethe United Statcsl were susceptible
OF impressions BY which no independent and honora-