Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Miscellany.

FROM THE BALANCE.

Brief Notice of Mr. Adams' Correspondence of May 29th, 1809.

It is singular to see Mr. Adams at this time so sedulous concerning his political character, after its ashes have been so many years in the urn, and he remained, only a silent, though no doubt, a sincere mourner. If there had been just cause, and he had attempted to snatch the brands from the fire, while they were yet burning, he assuredly would have been performing a natural and respectful duty to himself and family. But some are of opinion, that his efforts and fawning round both the late and present administration, are more with a view to his son's election, than to his own redemption ; but, be this as it may, it is clear, that if he had conceived that his character could have withstood the shock of Hamilton's pamphlet, he would immediately have pressed forward with his artillery into action, to obtain his darling object—a re-election. When Mr. Adams was beheld, shrinking from the pen of Hamilton, with all the fascinating considerations of four years presidency before him, and his character as a statesman on the wreck, what did it speak ? What credit or applause, does he now, after the lapse of years, expect to gain by coming forward to combat our departed hero ? Is it a mark of a noble spirit, of honor, or valor, to attempt to tarnish the memory of the illustrious dead ? Is it humane, or indicative of a good heart, to wound the feelings of the widow and her fatherless children ? If such conduct will add anew to the epaui of Mr. Adams, he need not "doubt" but he will have the full credit of it.

Mr Adams makes assertions against the dead Mr Hamilton, and refers to the dead Mr. Ames, and the dead Mr. Tracy, as evidence: he therefore clearly has made a "dead set." The public however, demand of him living witnesses, although his persecution is against the dead.

If the destination of providence had preserved the pen of Mr. Hamilton to this day, that of Mr. Adams would have remained silent and harmless (as to the subject under consideration) as though the same had never been plucked from the wing. Had he commenced hostilities upon the celebrity of the immortal Hamilton while he yet breathed the vital air, and could have defended himself, Mr. Adams would then have stood before the public, very different from what he now does—But he takes advantage of a stroke of mortality as a parapet of protection, and no doubt fondly anticipates the acquisition of a verdant twig to his decayed laurels.

Mr. Adams retrospects and toils through the mazes of science, to fasten reproach upon those, the bright effulgence of whose renown, has eclipsed him—let him go on, in his vertical career, it is his right, if he pleases, to forfeit the last and lowest vestige of title to that honorable fame which awaits the man who scorns to temporise.

I can now say, much in Mr. Adams's own style, that these remarks would never have been made, if he had not provoked them. His impeachment evidently carps upon Mr Ames, Hamilton and Ames have left characters behind them, that are out of the reach of Mr. Adams. Their bodies have returned to their parent earth : but the lustre of their wide-spread fame will remain the admiration of ages, and be perpetuated by the annals of time and monumental glory.

FAUSTULUS