The New Hampshire Gazette

Mr. S. Blodget, jun. in his annual Statistical Table, states the number of Banks in the U. S. in 1805, at 72; bank notes in circulation, $15,000,000 dolls.; metallic medium, $18,000,000 dollars; free persons, 5,156,000; slaves, 1,024,900; total population, 6,180,000; total increase in 1805, 180,000; militia 1,100,000; navy, 24 vessels, carrying 574 guns; seamen, 66,000.

So free has been the administration of the general Government from any just cause of blame, and so happy beyond any example upon the globe, that excitements of public discontents must be sought from foreign affairs. And in this attempt, the means are not sought from known alliances, written treaties, or official papers, but altogether within the regions of conjecture, opinion, and suspicion. It is a conjecture that we are to pay France for Florida, when even a defender of the conjecture openly denied that he had any suspicion of the President in the affair. Opinion has been busy in these matters. The French have demanded contributions, and therefore they will demand them everywhere. Suspicion has been as lawless as conjecture has been bold and impudent. It is first said that Miranda, upon an expedition against the Spanish Colonies, has been encouraged by the United States, and after the Government has denied it, it is insinuated we are to pay for the suspicion. Such illiberal abuse of our own Government cannot merit the least notice on its own account. But when the public mind has been long disturbed, it may not be improper to place such representations calmly before it, that the sober part of the community may not only learn to despise such things, but to prepare for them, and guard against them. What may not conjecture, ill opinion, and suspicion do in every case? What may they not misrepresent? Whom may they not alarm? What can they not do, if they are listened to by the people? In an age in which men are taught to regard facts, as the sure foundation of knowledge and happiness, let us make our appeals to them seriously. Are we not at peace? Are we not paying our debts? Have we not uncommon prosperity? Have we not a less share of political and commercial evils than any people? Have we not assurances that justice shall be done to us? And shall suspicions deceive us?

(Salem Register.)