Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

From the New-York Daily Gazette.
Copy of a letter from New Jersey, dated April 3.

DEAR SIR,

REMOTE as I am situated from the great theatres of politics, I can hardly be supposed capable of forming a just idea of the state of our affairs with respect to foreign powers. The papers which circulate here I occasionally read, but there are such contradictory sentiments broached by one and the other, that it is almost impossible to come at the truth. One tells us our government is administered by men old to Great Britain—another, that there is a party among us determined to go any lengths in justifying the French. That such men as are in the Departments of our government should be capable of such vileness of corruption, is, I think, an idea rather ridiculous, especially if the temptations to it are contrasted with those to a contrary conduct. I suspect those who make this charge are wicked and weak, and to be despised, require only to be known.

With respect to the idea of a French party disposed to make this country subservient to the views of their favorite nation, I have every reason to believe in its existence. Enthusiasts there are as well in politics as religion. These are usually stimulated by the desperate and designing, and suffer themselves to be made tools for personal ends by men, who deserve to be spurned for their villainy and detested for their parricide views.

Your city politicians, however wise and penetrating they may think themselves, are often, very often wrong, and act more like madmen than persons of reflection and sense. How ridiculous, for example, was it a few years back, to make such pompous demonstrations of NEUTRALITY as you did, by ringing your bells on receiving news of a French victory? I have often wondered we did not see your papers filled with accounts of the tolling of bells whenever the French met with a reverse. Surely your sensibility must have been equally alive to both extremes. Whence then this inconsistency?

We, in this quarter, think more of our agriculture and our Commerce, the affectionate twin-sisters of America, than to be eternally damning one nation and extolling another, especially when we owe very little real regard to either. We believe our obligations extend only to such duties as spring from the relations inseparable from commerce—We are not impressed with notions that sacrifices are to be made at the imaginary shrine of gratitude. We act nationally and rationally, and attach ourselves to those who can, and, do, benefit us most.

We do not see how an American can admire France, espouse her cause, or justify the conduct, either generally with regard to her world, or particularly as to us. The information we receive from the papers as I have said, is so often contradictory; but what we depend on, is official communications, and they lead us to believe France is our enemy. Indeed what can gainsay it? Would a friend rob and plunder you? The answer is obvious, as it furnishes a satisfactory evidence whom we are to love, and whom reprobate. Why should we contend about the measures we are to take to secure ourselves from insult and depredation? Would you not arm yourself if you expected to meet a scoundrel notorious for his robberies? Would you not at least avoid the pestiferous being, who declares another is warranted in pilfering your property? Would you not in fact, think it proper to get rid of him? Tell us how those who reduce us to the necessity of keeping our produce rotting on our hands, when foreign markets are open to receive it, can be friendly!

I hope soon to see a different spirit actuating your politicians than has latterly disgraced them. When the country is in danger, the man who advocates the foe, is an enemy, and should be expelled with horror and ignominy. Let us, if possible, avoid the stigma of republics—disunion and factious extravagance. Let us keep out of our Councils, and, if necessary, drive from among us, the men who excite discord and confusion. Let us rally under the American Standard, and cordially unite in taking care of ourselves. We shall: then be powerful and rise into our proper grade of political importance.

I am, &c.