The New Hampshire Gazette

Buonaparte & Smith.

Misfortune while it makes men humble, at the same time tends to sour their temper; and to alter entirely their dispositions. When Buonaparte issued his orders, or even wrote his familiar cards, from the car of victory, they were always animated by a spirit of urbanity, generosity and moderation, which dignified the man, while it exalted the hero--Now, when disaster is harnessed to his chariot, he forgets the lessons he has given, and appears peevish, revengeful, and acrimonious. This is evinced in the subsequent orders. All who are acquainted with the character of Sir Sidney Smith, know, that to the most gallant heroism the present age can boast of he adds the most humane, liberal and extended benevolence; and must attribute the charges of Buonaparte to "resentment, of a vindictive mind against a man who has blighted his laurels, and destroyed his hopes; and who appears to be raised up by Providence to put a period to his "mad" career."

Buonaparte says, that the active influence of Sir Sidney had detached the native powers from him, and had considerable, and he conceived, dangerous operation even in his own camp; he therefore, must have fabricated the nefarious charge which, whilst it gratified his feelings, afforded the only plausible pretext to prohibit his wretched followers from the dreaded communication with the English." We cannot dismiss this introductory article without noticing the inconsistency of an Officer, who, complains so bitterly of the heads of two dead men being cut off, after boasting that "a part of the crowd of fugitives from the battle of Mount Taber, pursued with the sword at their backs, was swallowed up in the river Jordan."

The General in Chief to the Chief of the Etat Major General.

"The commander of the English squadron before Acre, having had the barbarity to embark on board a vessel which was infected with the plague, the French prisoners made in the two Tartans, laden with ammunition, which he took near Caifa, in the sortie which took place on the 18th; having been remarked at the head of the barbarians, and the English flag having been at the same time flying over many towers in the place, the barbarous conduct which the besieged displayed, in cutting off the heads off the two volunteers which were killed, must be attributed to the English commander, a conduct which is very opposite to the honors which have been paid to English officers and soldiers found upon the field of battle, and to the attention which has been shewn to wounded and to prisoners.

"The English being those who defend and provision Acre, the horrible conduct of Djezzar, who caused to be strangled and thrown into water, with their hands tied behind their backs, more than two hundred Christians, inhabitants of this country, among whom was the Secretary of a French Consul must be equally attributed to this officer, since from circumstances the Pacha found himself entirely dependent upon him.

"This officer having besides refused to execute any of the articles of exchange established by the two powers, and his proposals in all the communications which have taken place and his conduct since the time that he has been cruising here, having been those of a madman, my desire is that you order the different commanders on the coast to give up all communication with the English fleet, actually cruising in these seas.

(Signed)
BUONAPARTE."