American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-01-06

SIRE of the sincerity Of which entertain no doubt that
the controversy he has raised relative Mr. Rodney and
Captain Bdde, shall now rest But he adds, that Mr. Rod
ney would have Jared better but for the ocious folly
OF his friends" This remark appears to to be he last
effort of baled malevoence endeavoring its
treat by shew of triumph in the moment of defeat No
person who has been attentive spectator of that Ed
tors conduct in this affair, will say that his reputation has
been elevated or that Captain Bddes has derived
benefit from the part he has taken. The Editor raised
this controversy by unustifabe and ungenemanly at
tack upon Mr. Rodney He volunteered in his paper
sneering and most dsrespectful notice of that excellent
land amabe individual, at time when public alluson
had been made to the breach which, is notorious
EXISTED between him and Captain Bddle This aggression
was followed by second attack in which the Editor
spreads before the public all the grounds of the he
waging against Mr. Rodney's effects" and for the OBJ
yous purpose of raising laugh exciting at his
lexpense violates the panest rules of decorum and cviy
by entering into malicious detail of those effects which
should have been sacred board the ship within
the domestic walls. Did the Editor suppose that this
would be permitted with impuny1 Had he any right 10
suppose that while he garnishng his columns with the
studied display of "od frying pans" chatting dishes" and
other venerable mpaumets, for the purpose of rails
ing broad grin against plain Republican and highly
respectable citizen, that he entrenched by fancied
dignity Editorial proves, to be secure against all re-
taiaton' Certainly not-and although we may not APP
prove the ground assumed by correspondent in at
ltributng to the Editors invention fact never
Thought necessary deny regard all that has been
lsad in the Waterman this subject the necessary re-
suit of that first unwarrantabe and unproyoked attack up
on Mr.. Rodney The folly of MIR. Rodneys offcious
friends has had the effect of exposing the Editors con-
duct mered and universal condemnation and it IS al
poor subterfge TO say that have retracted" and to
lexult in an admission which taken in its utmost extent still
LEAVES him without apology. Let it be admitted that
1.-The list Of Mr. Rodneys eifec.s" verified by Captain
Biddes clerk acqts the Editor of the charge OF "inve'
lion and that rumphsnty proves him TO have possess
sod more minute acquaintance with Mr. Rodneys private
concerns than any Of his friends could boast But does 1t
acqut him of unnecessarily and ndecoronsy ntrudng this
subject upon the public Does acquit him OF rude, I'M
gentlemany and insulting language held in relation to Mr.
Rodney confessedy without provocaton! Or does it an
swer his main purpose of ustying the conduct of his
:. fyiend' Captain Biddle, towards that gentleman
i We have been informed, upon authority We deem I'M
questionable that Mr. Rodney and his family were COMPEL
ted to leave the Congress Rio by the rude and nhosp
able conduct of the commander letter is now before u.s.
from gentleman who speaks from personal observation
and who states in terms that Captain Bddles ntoerable
conduct during the voyage had forced Mr. Rodney leave
the ship and that in addition to personal i'll treatment, he
had 5y Exposure rvear, bad storage and TV 10aSe
it," In Rio Janciro Mr.. Rodney gave notice to Captain
Bdde of his intention leave the Congress- and
had the latter received this notice, than, without allow
ling time to obtain permit from the authority, he
Immediately ordered his furniture and stores 10 be landed
lin consequence of which, they seized by the Brazil
Han officers and it with the utmost difficulty that Mr.
Rodney with the aid Of Consul Mr. Racquet, could OBJ
an their release These constitute few items OF Captain
Bdde's conduct. which have been communicated by nu
merous eye Witnesses Is this conduct to be justified by
the certified list furnished to the Editor by Captain Bddles
clerk Are understand that because an American
Ambassador in providing for the comfort of his family
res with him rather than deemed necessary by the
commsnder he is entitled to respectful reamentfrom
that commander, in ship specially appropriated to his
accommodation And will the people of this country for
such patry considerations, permit their dignity to be in
suited in the person OF their representative viii they
permit their representative to be harrassed in foreign
po and exposed the of foreigners through the
lvexatious conduct of subordinate officer, whose special
duty guard the national honor in this peculiar case
lWhat would be the feelings of the country, foreign Off
-lcer, captain of British French figate for instance,
should offer the shadow Of insult TO American ambas
,sador would be made national affair, and an ample
atonemcnt would be exaccd from the nation whose officer
sho dare to violate the respect due to the sacred char
lacter of Ambassador But if fail to require from
subordinate officers, that respect wchis required
from foreigners where is consistency, or how can we
expect that others will respect when We do not re-
spect ourselves In whatever light view this affair." it
appears to be which mperousy requires aprompt
and ample investigation. If Captain Bddes conduct has
been such TO it due to the national
Honor and dignity, that example should be made Let
ii be well understood hereafter that our public ships are
1.-THE propery of the naon and Of the commanders and
et these commanders know by impressive example the
nmeasurable distance between Captain in the Navy and
an American Ambassador the representative of the nation
ri