Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-11-14

y c.
reputation of American genius and talent
OH an imperishable basis.
The election of Representatives to the
next Congress took place IN Massachu-
sets on Monday last. There will, from
| appearances, be many changes in that
| state. TIMOTHY PICKERING, so long d
| Justly (tor his accordant principles and
| Jealous exertions III their support the
iavorte of the federal party of the Boston
/ stamp, has been put aside, afterbeing no
minat d in his old district, to make room
for Thomas Stephens, a more popular man,
because less violent in his politics. Tho
mas kitridge is nominated by the repub-
leans i'll that district.
Norenibel 9.
4 very uncommon incident is stated,
VIII, all the solemnity OF truth, i'll the
Baltimore Patriot, of which it becomes
our duty 10 ourreaoers To take notice. II
IS briefly this: that in consequence OF the
PoST-NAsTER OF the city OF Baltimore,
a. Il. Skinner, ESQ having, at i public
dinner on the 4th OF july last, given
toast obnoxious TO the French Minister,
he IN. de NeuNilie,) formally required
OF our government 20 dismiss Mir. Skin
ner from his office. if not otherwise to
punish him. The obnoxious toast is thus
stated:
1.-The Generals of France in exile;
the glory of their native land; not to BE
dishonomed by the denunciations of all
imbecile tyrani."
Finding this fact stated III so respecta-
bic a paper, we must give credit to what
would otherwise be past belief. Weshould
scarcely conceive il possible, that the most
perfect stranger TO free government
much less that NJ dc Neuvilie, who had
lived under our laws, and practically
known the freedom ofOur institutions, long
before lie became the minister Of France,
could entertain the idea of ever relnon-
stratng against Il freedom of speech,
which our constitution sanctions, and 10
law can restrain
No other language, nor half so bad
has been applied TO the sovereign autho-
rity of France, i'll the toast which is quot
ed, than is daily applied, without censure
punishment TO the members ofour own
government, by our public prints oppos-
eel to the administration, and by hun
dreds OF individuals, and the government
can no more control the language ofthose
whom 1t invests with Office, than of any
other individuals in society. 1t cannot
even secure itself from the censure of its
own officers; much less can it claim to
chain their tongues, and seal their lips in
relation 70 all the foreign powers, lest
per chance some one of their representa-
tlves among us, more sensitive or more
Jealous than usual, might take offence. 1t
is enough, itappears to us if the executive
conducts Itself, III its intercourse with TO
reign powers, with due regard TO their
rights and feelings, never invading the one,
nor insulting the other
We have heard it reported in former
times, how trulywe say not, that remon-
strances have been made BY foreign min
listers against the freedom of the press
and that the proper officers of our gov
eminent had replied, as they could
not but reply, that they had no other
or further control over the press (ts free
dom being guaranteed BY power pa
ramont TO their authority than what o.
Their individuals had. Every man of
sense, whatever the law and usages the
country he represents, must see and ac-
knowledge the justice of such a reply
nay, one would think. would rejoice TO find
country in which the most perfect free
dom, even righteousness ofspeech and of
the press, was not Incompatible with the
strength, permanently and soldity of 60
vernmcnt.
We hope that this incident, the occur
renee ofwlich we cannot now doubt, will
not affect the amicable relations between
the two nations. 1t is the interest of the
United States TO maintain them; our 90
vernment will assuredly never seek 10 VIC
late them. no