The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1818-09-29

whice we have been the hrsi 10 condemn, as
both runous and unjast.
Still the temptation is great. 1t gratihes
national pride and cupldity. and extends the
means OF corruption by increasing the patron
age of the Executive. We hope however
and trust, that the rumours which have spread
on this subject are utterly unfounded. The
project of forming Colony under our au-
thority in the Pacific ocean, is too absurd to
admit sober belief.
We have also very serious contest on
foot, and advancing pretty rapidly to an IS
sue, with Great Britain, as TO the Labrador
and other bay fisheries.
The most distinguished, and justly dist'n
gusshed leader The Federal party has recent
ly given a decided opinion in our favor.
Without entering into the merits OF this ques
ton, because it would be useless, it is obvious
that this will be decided by the sword unless
Great Britain shall recede.-And pet we may
lawfully express an opinion, that this quarrel
owes its origin to the late war, and our regret,
that when DUP arms were SO triumphant as has
been pretended, and when we dictated terms
atGhent, our ministers did not insist on re-
cognition of this right. 1t might very well be
said, that our title was unquestionable, but we
know that it was made question by the Brit
isb during the negotiation, and therefore as
they were in our power we ought 10 have put
the question at rest.
Perhaps however il was deemed expedient
to leave single nest egg for another war
There certainly isno existing symptom OF an
inclination to give up this point on the part Of
Great Britain.
We have also question to settle with q.
Britain as to the late execution Of two Of her
subjects in West Florida. Ofitself it might
easily be gotten over by dsgracng the officer
who was the author of it, but coupled as il is
with other more extensive questions, il may
and must serve to increase the irritation be-
tween the two nations
With Spain, we have a host Of disputes
on our side claims for spoliations committed
by France under the sanction ofthe Spanish
nane-oh hers the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of one OF
her colonies, and the violent attack and forci-
BILE seizure of its Capita.
Thus in three years we have continued, or
have had the iliortune notwithstanding the
wisdom of our administration, and its Just and
pacific policy, or at least the boast of it, to
have many serious sources of quarrel, which
unless the people Of the q. States will attend
to and understand, there is great danger will
involve US in the evils from which we have 50
recently escaped.
Singular instance gsooa fortune.~-The
following anecdote is no second edition Of
The Fortunate YOUTH" but founded on an
absolute fact Mrs. B. . maiden lady far
advanced in years, and possessed Of i'm
mense property, had been in the habit of
transacting business at banking house in
London, and on these occasions was obser-
we'd to be particular in her notice of one of
the clerks for whom, if he was not present,
she always made inquiries. Within the
last few months she had condescended 10
invite him 10 her house several times, and
treated him with so much kindness and at
ten,ion, that the young man began TO i'm
aginc that the old lady had design upon
his heart and wished to entangle him in the
matrimonial snare. About three weeks
since, however, he was agreeably relieved
from these apprehensions by the lady her
self, who at length invited him to dinner,
and intimated that she had something Of an
important nature TO communicate to him.
IN The course OF the evening she informed
him that the only relation she had in exist
ence was nephew, who was very profit |
gate young man, and she verify believed
wished her dead, in order that he nigh,
come into the possession and enjoyment oil
her wealth. He was at present in very poor
circumstances, and although she Intended
70 bequeath him sufficient sam 10 place
him above want, sill she had determined |
% select Some more deserving object as the
heir to the residue OF her immense proper |
y. Having stated thus much, she told the |
astonished you h that he was the person she |
had liked upon, and that she had prepared |
! deed OF gift for large sum, which would
'e immediately placed in his possession, up |
'n bis conserving to assume her name
re OF course gratefully acceded to the prop
'sItion. The necessary preliminaries were
lrraneed and IN few days the bankers |
Jerk found himself the andispated master
# 10000 Mrs. b. reserved sufficient
INN to maintain her in affiuence the re-
nainder OF her life, and should he survive,
le will AT her death, become possessed Of a
: \ - 60