The New Hampshire Gazette

Elliot's Letters, or Fanny's Dreams.
Sometime since James Elliot, the Journeyman Editor for the Freeman's Journal at Philadelphia, promised to hunt down that shadow of a shade in this country ycleped French Influence!—The federal Editors were gaping open mouthed, in momentary expectation of seeing this fabled monster exhibited in form and substance—Fanny, after wasting some ink, told them it was a task of years! Five numbers appeared Still the chimera was not embodied, the author approaches more nearer his subject, and his federal friends already manifest their disappointment.—Even James Elliot, formerly member of Congress, pretending to a great knowledge of the affairs of government and the secrets of the cabinet. has produced nothing to encourage his friends to follow him through his dull and stupid numbers. The Editor of the Independent American, at Georgetown, takes his leave of him, with the following laconic good-bye:
Ed. Gaz.
When we commenced the publication of Mr. Elliot's letters, professing an intention of proving the existence and operation of French influence in the nation, and particularly in the administration, we expected some exposure of facts not generally known, and of documents hitherto withheld. Five numbers are already published, and the author is still beating the bush. So long and unnecessary introduction, published at distant periods, and the declaration in the last number that "the task which the writer has undertaken, may be a task of years." have induced us to discontinue their insertion in this paper, at least till his exordium is completed. As soon as the promised evidence shall appear it will be given in substance, or in the writer's own words, if not burthened with that exordium and diffuseness which too much clogs his steps and fatigues his readers.
The whittler Elliot, has arrived at his fifth Letter upon French Influence without having advanced one step towards proving that there is any such thing either in our councils or country Indeed he is candid enough to confess in his 5th letter. that "The task which the writer has undertaken may be a task of years"—whereas it must forcibly strike every unprejudiced mind that if such an influence existed, and to the extent which he has asserted, it would not be "a task of years," nor months, nor weeks, nor even days, to expose it—a few hours would be amply sufficient for the purpose, especially to one who held, the pen of "a ready writer." The truth is that there is no such thing as French Influence either in Country or Councils—nor can Mr Elliot believe there is. But as romances are often read with more avidity than sermons, so he supposes his farrago of fictions under this alarming head will excite a livelier interest than cold recitals of mere matters of facts: and as the Arabian Princess had to fabricate a new tale every night to divert the Sultan and preserve her life, so the Editor of the journal must furnish a new story every day to entertain his readers and prolong this existence of his paper. But though his "letters on French influence" are as improbable as the "Arabian nights entertainment;" they are neither as amusing nor as instructive. —Sir Joseph Banks chasing butterflies over fields and fences was not half as ridiculous an object as Mr. James Elliot pursuing this phantom throughout the regions of romance.
[Ind. Am.
Elliot would make it out that Mr. Jefferson was a conjurer ;" He waved (says he his potent wand and the spirit of patriotism became extinct in the councils of America!"—Any one with half an eye can see that Elliot is no conjurer
[Ibid
Capt. Lake, of the British Navy, for landing and leaving Robert Jeffrey, a British seaman, on the uninhabited island of Sombrero, for some petty, offences, has been tried by a court-martial, found guilty, and dismissed his majesty's service—For murdering American seamen and citizens, British officers, instead of being dismissed. are promoted!—