American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-12-16

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FOR THE WATcRMAN.
Mr. Walsh has saved his pupils, the Editors Of
the National Integencer, any further trouble to
establish their assertion that he is neither polite
nor politic.' The bitterest enemies of Captain
Bddle can wish nothing worse to that gentleman
than few more paragraphs like those which ap
peared in The National Gazette of the Sh instant.
The charge against Captain Bddle is-,hat be
ing ordered by Government to convey anibassa
dor, with his family, and Z" effects," to Monteydeo
he has treated him with such dscourtesy to com
pei that gentleman to quit the Congress higate al
Ia port more than eleven hundred miles short Of
his destination.
What sort of defence does the incompatible ad-
vocale, Mr.. Walsh. set up for the accused? Sim
ply this-that Mr.. Rodney had so overLoaded the
Congress as to interfere with the accommodation
and leopard the health her crew make it difficult
to work, and impossible TO fight her, without, in the
Elegant language Of hypercrltical Mr. Walsh, "dI
lcLetrase."
But, supposing the fact Of orerlodding to be in
lconrovertble, can it Justify rudeness to females,
and to a gentleman many years Captain Biddle's
senior? Ought nJt Captain Biddle, Oethg GtoaTe
Iof this 0verL9adUg T. e he left the Detawase*
10 have demonstrated }, he Secretary Of The Navy
against it, Can he naval officer, justify his
having gone TO sea ".th bis ship SO "tumbered''
that he could neither navigate nor fight her TO ad
vantage. IF Mr.. Walsh has made out his case, he
has proved that Captain BddIe ought to be cashlered
We, certainly, laughed when read the enume
ration Of I" venerable effects,'-not at Mr.. Rodney
nor even, at these effects" which had grown gray
in his service but, pardon us Mr.. Walsh, at your-
SELF MIR. Walsh, gravely enumerating pots, pans,
churns tubs &c. just like the clerk Of an auctioneer
or pawnbroker, in contrast to Mr.. Walsh playing
as is his wont, with much pomp and pretension, the
urist and the critic, was irresistibly COMIC Even
If the Editor of the National Gazette has achieved
the exploit of raising laugh against Mr.. Rodney,
| his witcism is humble enough. Any boy, who cam
scrawl pot and pan, could in like manner make US
laugh at Mr.. w. himself by going through his
house and making an inventory OF has "efects."
But, sin objectionable, some OF these effects were
ugly and unsghty, we are told No doubt they
were. Who ever before quarreled with kitchen
furniture for being ineegant, expected in tea
kettLe the classic shape an Etruscan vase. These
|" effects" were, not only very homely, but, very
venerable. We will not, however, follow the ac-
complished scholar further through his mera.
ton. The whole vocabulary OF contemptuous
ephets might we'll be exhausted upon this editor,
who has insulted deceucy by making it matter Of
grave charge against an ambassador that his kitchen
chairs, like the ocean, are botomless; his washing
tubs old, and, pei haps leaky. Certainly, Mr. Rod
ney never justify himself to the people for the
henous offence Of proaning their frigate by putting
on boad her plough, a cart, and harrOW, with
the benevolent design of exhibiting TO the Buenos
Ayreans better models of these implements than the
clumsy of their farmers.
/ According to Mr.. Walsh, his client Captain Bid
die is the pinc Of courtesy, and in polteness very
preuG Cheralier. Mark the proof of the euIogy--
he surrendered his cabin and lockers What was
the merit of this Was he not bound by his orders
to do SO? Are our naval officers such silken tops
; that shifting cot or giving up state room to te-
males and children is mighty sacrifice to be laud-
ed like the taking frigate? Gentlemen on
land make such sacrifices OF personal convenience
to ladies daily, and would blush praise for such
common place poli!eness. We must mention one
instance of Captain Biddle's courtesy, and entreat
:, Mr.. w. 10 make the most of it:-On the voyage
to Gibraltar, we have heard this courteous COM
maader holsted up article oil Mir. RS effects
old saddle, to yard.arm OF the irigate Whether
this was meant to amuse the Ambassador or in
spite or derision, we know not perhaps, it was an
ingenious expedient to diversity the monotony of
sea voyage, chase away ennu in calm.
i But what is Mr. Walsh's drift May not be
pardoned the suspicion that with his ostensible
tive to expose abuse" is mingled some less lof-
ty one, such friendship, if not for Captain B. at
least for his friends? Is the old carriage paraded on
the quarter deck the hold crammed with bureaus,
and the plough, harrow and cart paraded the gun
deck, merely to make laugh? AS Mr.. Walsh will
hardly be candid enough to answer these questions
truly, we must reply to them ourselves. His object
in writing these indecent paragraphs was to excite
in the public mind prejudice against Mr.. Rodney,
to come in aid OF Captain Bddle's defence before Q
Court of Inquiry. We much mistake ii that officers
cause viii be benefited by pitiIui attempt 10 rdi
Cue the plain furniture 81 an unosttntatious repub
lican, JUSTICE.