Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

MR. FENNO,

When I first knew that the President gave up the late dispatches from France, I was both surprised and displeased. But after I found that he had given up his instructions also, I was incensed against him. But since that, on mature reflection, and finding that giving up the whole has had so good an effect, I am satisfied it was proper; the situation of our country required it. Our late President would not accede to give up the instructions to Mr. Jay—I confess the cases are not exactly similar—I have always thought he did right, from the reasons he gave. Faction, that bane of all republican governments, and which seems to prevail in a very uncommon degree in this age of the world, calls to my mind what Mr. Ponsonby, a celebrated member of the Irish house of commons, said some years ago—"I dislike (says he) republican principles—I detest republics, because from all the knowledge I have been able to acquire of the ancient republics, and that which I have of existing republics of Europe, I am satisfied they are governments unfavourable to rational liberty." I hope it will not be the case with our government and country, where I trust order, law and justice will support its pillars, which of late have been too much undermined by the power of faction.

CIVIS.