Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-01-31
FOREIGN INFLUENCE.

We have been aware for some time that
numerous petitions had been presented TO
the President praying for the release Of
Mckenzie from Imprisonment. These have
pretty uniformly been treated with con
tcmp,uous neglect, while the sentence Of
the law has been executed with unusual
severity upon the unfortunate subject Of
these petitions. 1t seems, however, tina,
Mr.. Van Buren, has at last intima,ed to the
petitioners that they should direct their
Efforts TO another quarter lie says that
il British subjects would petition he should
be "most pene,rable to their kind entrea
ties" The following is an extract from a
semi.ofliclaI letter on the subject
My own private views are. that if the
friends of Mr. Mckenzie would appeal to
the magnanlmrv of the resident repreSen.
atvc of The British provinces of North
America, by has request, he would be re-.
leased, and relieve the question from The
embarrassment in which It seems Involved
1t is certainly very embarrassing" for
an american President 10 be afraid of
offending the British aulhrtIes and also
very humblng to the pride of every Amer.
lean citizen. But we cannot do better
justice than to copy the following manly
comments Of the Franklin Gazette, spirit.
ed administration paper published at Fort
Covngron, n Y.
1--WE some tune since. in an article
upon the alarming prevalence Of British
influence in or iond, expressed the belief
| that this influence had reached the Exec
uive mansion and that lis effects were
drscoverable IN the course pursued by the
| Presd IN regard to various lmporran,
questions involving the national honor,
We have already adduced sufficient evi,
dence in support o! our assertion TO satisfy
every candid man OF It's truth, but we are
now prepared 10 place the matter beyond
oil cavll or controversy. Yes, there can
| be no longer any doubt about it. we are
at he foot of the British throne. aud wo
be to those who have brought Us there,
| Thousands and thousands Of American CIT.
Zens, commissioning The condition OF the
unfortunate patriot Mackenzie, wto is. by
a most unrghteous aud inlQultous sentence
lmmurod IN an American prison, and be.
levlng him guiIlless If all crime, havo pc.
ritoned the Presldent for his release. But
| i, has not suited his notions of democracy
to beslow the slightest notice upon these
petitions. No, the successor of Washing
! ton, of Jefferson, and OF Jackson, will not
condescend to notice the petitions of the
American people, but we are plainly told
by one of his friends in Congress where ali
influence may be found that will cause
HIM to act We are told in the following
letter from Mr., Keim to the Democratic
Association of PhlIade phla, ,hut request
| from "lhe resident representative Of the
British provinces in North America, would
in his opinion effect Mackenzie's release.
SO, we have power in this country, which
in the view Of Van Buren,, Is superior to
the people, Let him beware, or he may
learn to his cost that the will of the peoplq
is power to which even he must bow and
that they are not slow in melting out the
reward TO political apostacy.-F Coz
ington Gagette.