Rhode Island Republican

NEWPORT.
THURSDAY—FEBRUARY 20, 1806.

A strong Easterly wind has lately blown across the Atlantic, an English report of the defeat of Bonaparte by the Russians. This intelligence has put new life into the friends of Britain in this country. Those of them who reside in this town, have given vent to the most extravagant expressions of joy upon the occasion. They are perfectly intoxicated with the news. In walking the streets, they scarcely take a step without leaving the ground two feet below them. Nothing but wings are wanting to prevent their flying. What a pity it is that they had not wings to fly over to Europe to assist their good friends there, the British and Russians.

We are far from envying these miserable wretches, the temporary pleasure which they will enjoy upon this occasion. The news which has produced this joy among them, is evidently a clumsy forgery of the British Oligarchs, for the purpose of raising the drooping spirits of the wretched inhabitants of that country. It is well known that the news of Bonaparte's late victories upon the Continent, has driven the English people almost to a state of distraction. It was therefore necessary for the government to contrive some expedient to restore the minds of the people to tranquility. For this purpose they have probably forged the account of Bonaparte's defeat. The account of the king of Prussia's having joined the coalition is likewise added to it. This latter event had been so often told and foretold by the British government, that a story of that kind had probably become incapable of imposing even upon the ignorant peasantry of that country. It therefore became necessary for something new to be invented. And what could be more pleasing to the people than the news of Bonaparte's defeat. It is possible that some part of Bonaparte's army might have met with a check: or it might have fallen back for the purpose of concentrating its forces; for the last accounts from it state it to be considerably spread out; but the pompous account of the Emperor Alexander's having defeated Bonaparte in a general engagement carries falsehood upon the face of it.

The great length of Mr. Munroe's remonstrance to the British government, published in this day's paper, has prevented the publication of several foreign articles and other interesting matter.