Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-10-12

find 0ut any thing conclusive upon the
subject. If the government has receive
cd any intelligence respecting 1t, other
than that which it has published to the
people, the time has not yet arrived when
they night deem it proper to divufge it.
FOR The ALEXANDRIA, GAZETTE.
HfesSrs. Sno-cden y Simns,
In the Herald of the 18th instant, |
have seen all extract Of letter written
by me, which was published IN the A
icxandria Gazette of the 2lst ultimo--
and call on you for proof of the TACT
stated in that letter. feel very much
disposed to crafty the gentleman. No.
thing could be easier than 10 do all he
asks for-"Prove it by the oath of one
or more respectable witnesses, with the
names of the Witnesses; the pame Ofthe
pious BAPTIST preacher, and their re-
spective places of abode or residence. !"
All these can be state ] and proved in
the most circumstantlal aud satisfactory
manner. But wherefore, aid for what
is this to be done To satisfy curiosity!
know Of no other motive, except that
Of triumphing over the Citizen of Vir-
giuis," in seeing him SO fairly caught as
he might be on this occasion. Other
considerations however, forbid that this
should be done.
Does the "Citizen of Virginia" sus-
pect the author of the extract" OF be-
ing hostile to religion, and an enemy to
Baptist preachers! You may assure the
gentleman that the reverse OF this rs
true. Christianity, / consider worthy
Of all acccptation," and The Baptist So
ciety respectable body OF Christians
have no wish to criminate any indisi.
dual, nor to asperse any sect or society.
The expressions quoted were not select
ed so much on account Of the turpltude
Of them (altbough in ,hts view they are
remarkably as Tor illustration, or proof
oil the fact that the greatest exert'ons
was making TO excite and stir up the
people 70 revenge against the enemy
Aud although the expressions in qnes-
tion afford but sorry evidence in the case,
We, | will not GO SO far az to Say the gen.
slemaa Who made them is not tious -
IL the worst Of mans words and actions
was to be made The criterion Of Judging
ct his religious character, but lew, /
fear, would stand the test. Amongst
the long catalogue of evils with which
This most wicked and ruinous war Is
charpable, is that os disturbing the peace
of socie,y-It is the bane OF our h"pPi'
ness in every respectful is this that ex-
Giles and influences the passions to Inc
highest pitch--passions under the innu'
ence of which, even good men are har-
ried into excuses.
Let me not be misunderstood These
remarks are not intended as an apology
for the pious Baptist preacher, nor tor
the imhiesies of any man. 1t is the duty
Of Christians to keep out OF the way OF
TEMPTATION, toavoid occasions OF evil
Ministers Of q Gospel, the peculiar cna'
rscteristic of which is PEACE, ought as
much as possible to heal the divisions &
auimosi,ies which prevail and m,ve
the peace of society. As long as they
eonduc, in this way they are entitled 10
our highest respect: But if forgetting
or disregarding their +" higb-calling'
and transported With zeal to encourage
the works If carnage and blood, they
cease TO have any claim upon Us Tor this
A.