Alexandria Daily Advertiser

Gen. Washington to Col. Humphreys
Extract from a piece in the Connecticut Courant.
The first newspaper that originated in the plan apparently for the express purpose of opposing the administration of Washington and reviling his character, was the National Gazette, established at Philadelphia: at that time the seat of the general government, and edited by Philip Freneau, who meanwhile was employed by Mr. Jefferson, then Secretary of State, as interpreter of the French and Spanish languages. This paper having had a general and almost exclusive circulation in the western parts of Pennsylvania, was with good reason, thought to have caused the whiskey insurrection. When the National Gazette was dropped, the same system was taken up and continued with increased violence and bitterness in the Aurora which was at first conducted by Benjamin F. Bache. It will in some manner appear, how deeply Washington felt the stings of the detestable calumnies that had been thrown upon him from this paper--from the abjoined copy of a letter which he wrote to col. Humphreys, dated June 12, 1796.
"From the office of state you will receive every thing that relates to public concerns; and the Gazette which I presume will accompany the dispatches, will give you a pretty good idea of the state of politics and parties in this country; and will show you at the same time, (If Bache's Aurora is among them) in what manner I am attacked for persevering steadily in measures which to me appears necessary to preserve us, during the conflicts of the belligerent powers, in a state of tranquillity. But these attacks unjust and unpleasant as they are, will occasion no change in my conduct; nor will they produce any other effect in my mind than to increase the solicitude, which has long since taken fast hold of my breast, to enjoy in the shades of retirement, the consolation of believing that I have rendered my country every service to which my abilities were competent; not from pecuniary or ambitious motives, nor from a desire to provide for any one further than their intrinsic merit entitled them to; and surely not with a view to bring any of my relations into office. Malignity may therefore dart its shafts; but no earthly power can deprive me of the consolation of knowing that I have not in the whole course of my administration; however numerous they may have been committed an intentional error."