The native American., 1838-07-28

five yeas had elapsed, became in due form CT
tzen OF the United States took the oath Of allegi-
ance, and soiennay reno,mced foreuer, all obedi-
ence and allegiance TO any and every foreign
prince and pofenfafe. Well, as usual, we believed
IN his sincerity for could doubt the truth, hon
or, and gratitude of distinguished foreigner!
The most important department of the Govern
ment, in case Of war, was put under his charge.
All the plans, drawings, and surveys OF all OF our
lorts, iortihcatiOns, arsenas, military roads, har-
oours and lnlcts, were placed in his custody foi
s,1feen years he was engaged in the examination
ol every thing connected with the national de-
ience; the whole topography OF the Union became
as familiar to this CHIEF Engineer as the cham
bers and passages of his own house. lie knew,
better than our own generals, all the strength and
NIL the weakness, all the security and all the I'M
periectlons of every iprtiication i'll the country
None knows better than General Bernard knows
the points which nigh be advaniagcousy attacked
by the enemy, and when the attack might be made
with assurance of success. II was right that an
.1mericMl General should possess this know
ledge; but was it wise to enrust such information
to Frenchman or 10 a,,y foreigner?-th is the
question.
You have said, Messrs Editors, over and over
have rdculed you for saying, that every man loves
his o'cn country best; that no time distance can
wear away this first, this neycr-dying love of our
naiiue land; that we should never trust the cmi-
grant with the offices, the secrets, the govern
ment of the country. Demagogues and traitors
have reviled and scohed at your warnings, and
even those to whom tho dcs,inies Of the nation
arc committed, boastiuy proclaim that they court
an alliance and brotherhood with the otfcasts Of
Europe. Now, Sirs, mark one of the conscquen.
ccs OF our folly. This General Bernard, this
chiJ OF Typographical Engineers, this m II who
solcmnly swore perpetual allegiance and fidelity
TO the United States, lhis doubie traitor who So
lemnly swore to rcnouncc forerer all obedience
and allegiance to any foreign prince po,cntato,
and particularly to the King Of France at the very
frst opportunity, returns to his own dear nafirc
h9ad, laden with every thing valuable with which
Wc could enrnst him, to he used for the benefit OF
his King and master, and TO our injury whenever
a war between the two nations might rcndeg il
necessary. Atthe moment when VIC were bclic1ed
to be on the eve Of war with France, General
Bernard filled the post Of Minister Of Uar i'll that
country. Is there any doubt as to his duty to his
King! Can any one of common sense, suppose
that he would have failed to use against as the
valuable knowledge he obtained IN our service?
Every general and every engineer in the French
armies, to he sent TO invade our coast and sack our
towns, would have been made acquainted, better
perhaps than our own officers, with every valua-
bic information in relation to the state of our for
tliications, and the extent of our resources. Can
such a state Of things be contemplated by any
American who possesses an American heart,
without shuddering at such consequences, result
ing rs they do from the folly and unguardcd con-
fdencc reposed by our own Government in the
professions Of foreign adventurcrs. Let our pco-
pie and Government take solemn warning from
this single case, and put an end to the unnatural
practice of prcferrng to places of trust and emo
lument, those whose attachments are to other
lands, and whose oaths Of fidelity are taken only
for temporary purposes, and to be violated and
renounced when those purposes have been accom-
plished.
Another striking case occurs to me at the mo-
ment Captain Poussin, Frenchman, came to
his country about the year 1914 or 1915, poor,
ragged and hungry wandc7cr. From feeling Of
mere charity, Mr.. I.atrobe, then Architect Of the
Public Buildings, employed him in copying draw
ngs of the works then i'll progress, until his
friend General Bernard succeeded in caioling our
Government to place him at the head Of the To-
biographical Department. immediately this hum
bic mcndcant was transformed into an officer Of
Engineers, promoted over the heads Of several
meritorious natives, enjoyed General Bernard's
especial regard and confidence, and, returning
with his patron to France like him rcnounced his
sworn allegiance to the United States, and resum-
cd his natural obedience to his own country. He,
too. was instantly taken into its Military SERVICE
ready, no doubt, like a true Frenclman, to carry
The arms of lie Grand MonagYue into this or
any other nation, with whom his master may at
any time be at war. But we deserve all this and
more. for our egregious folly, not to say treason
against nature and love of country.
WASHINGTON.
lcoMMuNIcATED] ......
FEATURES IN TIE ORI-