Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

A merchant, who has some unsaleable tobacco to sell in England, has written a letter, which is published in the National Intelligencer, with a commendatory preface. As might be expected, he is very desirous that the embargo should not be withdrawn; for if more tobacco were sent to England, he would not find the sale he expects for what he has on hand. "It, (says he, very honestly,) if the embargo should continue six or eight months longer I hope by that time to run off a cargo of Maryland's, at 10 pence, or 12 pence, or more—but all will depend upon the continuance of your embargo."

Very good mercantile reasoning this! Yet Smith gives this barefaced letter as a proof of the wisdom of the embargo. "All your drafts have had due respect;" of course, Mr. Tobacco planter, the embargo has been no detriment to you, though Mr. Smith will not give the public your name through delicacy. Your tobacco must be Virginia tobacco therefore. Having given room for this deduction, delicacy requires from the Intelligencer, that we should know who this Virginia Tobacco Planter is, that we may entertain no improper suppositions, especially as the letter-writer praises the embargo so unconscionably, which gives rise to the suspicion of flattery. "From what I have learned, during the whole course of Mr. Jefferson's administration, he has not done an act so wise and so laudable." "If the embargo should be removed, and the orders in council and French decrees should remain in force, every man in America that attempts to trade to Europe, will be ruined." This is too gross an assertion to be anything but flattery, or possibly, it may indeed be a deception the man has brought his mind under, from the very strong desire of selling his "Maryland at 10d. or 12d. or more," if the embargo could be continued "for 6 or 8 months longer."

The reader will be pleased to bear in mind, that the ports of Spain, and some of those of Portugal, were open at the time this letter was written.

(North Amer.)