The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

Argus	Siren	Enterprife	Nautilus	Vixen

WASHINGTON CITY, MONDAY, MAY 28.

The following frigates have sailed from the Eastern Branch:
The President,
The Congress,
The Essex,
The John Adams.

In a few days the frigate Constellation will follow.

They will all rendezvous at Hampton Roads, and will sail thence in squadron.

On their arrival in the Mediterranean our force will be:
The President of 44 guns, Commodore S. Barron.
Constitution 44 capt. Preble.
Congress 36--capt. Rodgers.
Constellation 36--capt. Campbell.
Essex 32--capt J. Barron.
John Adams armed en flute--capt. Chew.

The gallant conduct of our seamen in the Mediterranean, we had hoped would have produced one common feeling throughout the land. On such an occasion we expected that from those who wanted patriotism pride would have extorted approbation. But because our tars have dared to manifest under the administration of Mr. Jefferson a bravery and enterprise, certainly usurped, and it might perhaps be correctly added unrivalled in naval annals, the measure of applause is either denied by federalists, or is dealt out with a niggardly hand. Every thing is to be condemned, done by or under the republican administration: whether it be the secure possession of the navigation of the Mississippi, so inestimably important to the peace of the whole nation, and to the prosperity of our western brethren, or the assertion of the national character from the aggressions of the pirates of the Mediterranean. For abandoning the line of conduct pursued by the last administration they are denounced, and when a similar course is pursued, all merit, even that of pure motives, is denied them.

It is happy for the peace and happiness of this nation, that those entrusted with its public concerns, are not to be shaken from the strong ground they have taken by the indiscriminate and vehement censure of their opponents. Too often we have had the misfortune to witness the best men driven from the straight line of duty into rash and unadvised measures of retaliation. Too often men of warm temperaments, conscious of the purity of their motives, and supported by the affections of a nation, have suffered feelings of resentment against their revilers and opponents, to mingle themselves with the discharge of their public duty; and thus by abandoning the ground originally taken under the guidance of a dispassionate judgment, they have exposed themselves to all the dangers involved in a departure from principle.

It must be a source of peculiar felicitation to every friend of republican institutions, to perceive in the measures of our government a steady development of principle, uninfluenced by personal considerations. For how ever the trifling concerns of a small district may be managed without material mischief, under the control of other motives, we do not hesitate to say that the great affairs of a nation can never be conducted with glory to the government, or utility to the people, without a strict and unintermitted regard of principle.

These remarks apply forcibly on the subject of a Navy. The men now in power never were friendly to naval establishments on a great scale; they always declared them an engine of state fraught with great danger: one which while it might in its moderate use, be beneficial, could not fail, in its rapid extension, to hazard the peace and liberties of the country.

These were their professions; and with these professions, their conduct has strictly coincided. They have maintained a navy within prudent limits; and by introducing various economical reforms, have rendered it less an object of popular jealousy.

Out of power they declared that, while averse to a resort to force on light occasions, they would not hesitate to unfold the energies of the nation to repel great and unprovoked wrongs. In power, their actions are the best commentary on their principles. For, while they have invigorated every sentiment of friendship with the governments of Europe, and removed many grounds of dissatisfaction, subsisting at the period of their induction into office, they have notwithstanding the pressure of the Louisiana purchase, come forward with promptness and spirit to vindicate our violated rights and interests in the Mediterranean. Let those, who, from just jealousy, or prejudice, indulge an habitual distrust of professions, not forget that actions never deceive.