The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-05-25
EWQUIRE R-oFFIeE, Nav es
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

NAPoeong the most unjustiiahle attacks
ing c1h we have seen i'm sonle OF the public
SSfnts OF this Country, upon the character of
every man who has been distinguished by
the honors of his country, are those which
jiave lately appeared upon the we'll earned
reputation OF Albert Gallatin.' No sooner
was his name mentioned es one of those to
whom the late embassy was to be confded,
9han we hear the tocsin of persecution SCUM
ned, and see opened upon him the flood
gates OF defamation. Is there any thing in
Albert Gallatin's character, or in his long.
useful and laborious course. OF public con-
duct, or is there any thing in his history, tn at
VIII Justify in the minds Of candid and no.
noraole men, the opprcbrium which is
Shrown upon his name by some Of his politi-
cal adversaries He that can read these
pieces without some degree of Indignation
VINO can look upon them without seeing
their folly and wickedness, must be COM
pleteiy enveloped in the clouds of political
prejudice, or destitute of those noble and
generous feelings which warm the bosom of
an American citizen. Mr.. GalIatIn has
been vilihed as a foreigner. as a French +,
man. and as man devoted to the emper
or Fef. France-But the author of this foui
WANDER cannot point to an act of his life
mar WI go IN the smallest degree to sup
port tHe"charge, or give il even the color
ing of truth. Instead Of Mr.. Ca,latin hav.
Ing any natural attachment to the French
nation or the French Emperor, there is eve
~ reason to suppo5e that the natural bias
St ms feelings are, III different direction
His little native Republic where he snent
the innocent hours of his childhood--wherr
ne drew his FIRST BREATH, and received his
frst maternal nourishment, has fallen vic
TIM 10 the arms, and ia now under the doni-
ratioh OF France. The republican city oil
r Z
from religious persecution-whicb vas for.
merly crowned with the spoiIs of every
art, and decked with the wreath of everv
muse where the protestant religion WAS
preached, when its votares were banishef
from every other part of Europe-where
republican liberty was tolerated. and Hon.
sished, when in surrounding countries n
mad no eZIstence--Where Albert G alIatir
spent the morning Of his life, and received
the rudiments of his education, has beer
swept away in that tempest of despotism
which has for so many years secured the
tace OF Europe. Yes, the little Republic o.
Geneva-the faithful ally of Switzerland
the once delightful abode of literature, snt
t,he peaceful ASYLUM of religion is no more
tter goVeTnment was DESTROYED, and her ii.
perry banisheds some years after Gallatir
lett his native land. The temples of he,
reDgion have been overturned, and her in
hag'tants compelled to exchange the sab
hath oi Christians foT the decade of Atheists
Ean Ga!latin be man, ADD have the com
mo" feelings of humannature, and still have
natural attachment to him who is the au.
thor OF these enormites-who has spreaf
rom over the land of his fathers. and de.
moJshed the government under which h,
was taught the soblime principles of liberty
NO--it ~ impOssible-It is impossible tha,
a man OF Gallatin's heart and head -s,b,
was bora and raised among republtoor