Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-05-24
FROM THE sALRm GAZETTE.
Mr.. Pickering's address
To THE
PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
NO. VIIf.

CeIhs Oh nation, excessive admiration Of |
any man leads to dangerous errors and If |
that man be not inasxibly just, and beyond
the reach of hattery; if on the contrary. he
has but the semblance of virtue, and puts
on the garb of patriotism to conceal his am.
o'tion; such adnsiration viii produce seti-
ous mischiefs.
Whoever reads the history Of the Israel
ties, will be forcibly struck with their pfone-
arss 10 idoiatry. even after their repeated
experience of national calamities inflicted
by Heaven for that sin But idolatry is not
uncommon among other nations and pco-
pie. The difference is, that the former
worshipped dead idols, the latter living
ones. Mr.. Jefferson has been the idol OF
his party; and much incense ha. been Of
tered to him for virtues he did not possess,
and for talents more plausible than solid.
His Jealous partiZans have considered the
declaration of independence as work of
astonishing excellence, a matchless per.
Torrance, and all it's merits as exclusively
his own. The history of that declaration,
IN my last address, showed what share he
had 10 II, and the extent of his deservings
for that compilation. -- Many, too, have
thought his Notes on the State of Virginia
to be work of great merit, which they
have applauded. in the same breath, with
the declaration ofindependence. In word
he has been considered as a profound states
man, great philosopher, and eminent in
science and literature. lit is not within the
scope OF these addresses, If it were within
my competency, to criticise the writings in
which Mr.. Jefferson has attempted to dis
play his philosophy, his science or bis learn.
ing. l know, however that men or &C.
knowledged distinction in all, measure his
pretensions, in these respects, by q mode.
rate scale.
Mr.. Jefrerson's Notes on Virginia, In.
single work in which he's appeared a. Al
author, however marked with shipper
fections," as he himself suggests a
bounding in errors, as others say-are, a.
they relate to the present investigation
most remarkable for containing some cor.
rect statements and doctrines, to which ne.
vertheless, he applies doubling remarks
or to which his subsequent official opinions
and conduct are in direct opposition. Here
after may bring most of them into view.
At this time | shall notice only one instance
-~-that relating to commerce.
Great pains have been taken to make the
people of the United States believe that Mr..
Jefferson was real friend to commerce.
And to give currency to this unfoundcd o.
pinion, he has himself let slip no occasion
to Glamour for the freedom Of the seas and
the rights Of the ocean and the more be-
cause that Glamour could be pointed against
Great. Britain. For on the seas she has
unlimited command: and because she pos
sesses the power to Cypress, he would have
it inferred that Britain alone interdicts. or
causes the Introduction ofthat freedom, and
the violation of those rights.
Inh:s Notes, under Qaery XIII, lie says
--ss Our interest will be to throw open the
doors of commerce, and to knock of all its
shackles; giving perfect freedom to all per.
sons for the ven, Of whatever they may
choose to bring into our ports, end asking
the same in theirs."-What sentiments
could be more liberal!-They only happen
ed to be impracticable. But, ia the same
page, we find the nature and extent of this
perfect freedom of commercc-that il
should be active and nnconfrouled as to TO-
reigners, and limited and absolutely passive
on the part of the citizens of the United
States.
After remarking that if, iustead DIGGING
10 war, nations would expend their reve-
nues in making roads, opening ca nails,
building ports, and efecting other internal
g it would render them
much stronger" Eifthere were to be no wars,
If what use would be national strength Fl
much weather. and happier" ;*-Mr..l
Ieffer son adds" This hope viii be our
wisdom. And, perhaps, 10 remove as
much as possible the occasions of making
var, isn,ighs be better for us to abandon the /
ceQn dltope.hey. that being the elemen, /