Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

From the Boston Centinel.

HON. MR. QUINCY'S LETTER.

Quincy, 2d Nov. 1813.

SIR--In the "Boston Patriot." of the 6th October last, was published a series of observations, purporting to have originated in "The Yankee," and commencing with the following statement:

"The morality, religion, and patriotism of Mr. Quincy may well be appreciated by the public, when they are informed, that he is now carrying on a foundery for casting Cannon Balls, and has a contract at this moment, with Mr. Secretary Jones for furnishing the government with nine hundred thousand pounds of Balls to annihilate the enemy ; and very probably the very balls that destroyed the enemy on Lake Erie were manufactured at his foundery."

The succeeding remarks tend to impress the public with this idea, that notwithstanding, in my public capacity; I had opposed the war, in my private, I had consented to derive an advantage from it. "An inconsistency." the writer concludes, "only to be reconciled on the score of avarice."

To this calumny, it was my intention to oppose no other shield, than that, which conscious integrity spreads over its possessor. Nor should I now deviate from my original purpose, had not letters from friends, in other States, assured me that the story was gaining credit, at a distance; the boldness of the assertion having had the effect of evidence. It being difficult for honorable minds to conceive, that so unqualified an allegation could have been made unless, there was something. in the nature of my engagements, to give it countenance, or, at least, a pretence.

Under these circumstances I feel myself called upon to state, that I am not, and never have been concerned, or had any interest, remote or contingent, direct or indirect, as a principal, or partner, or attorney, or agent, or in any other manner whatsoever, in or with any foundry for casting cannon, or any other foundry, or manufactory whatsoever: that I have not, and never have had any contract, or interest, or share in any contract, made by myself, or any other, with Mr. Secretary Jones, or with any department or officer. or agent of the government, or with any person in its behalf; that out of the public Treasury, I have never, in the course of my life, received any money, to the amount of one farthing, except the ordinary compensation of a Member of the House of Representatives;-and that the assertion contained in the above quoted paragraph is an impudent falsehood, without any, to me known, color or apology.

I have been thus distinct, because the facts warrant the above declaration, and because the malignity, which could invent so unwarranted a calumny, must be fully competent to the meanness of suggesting some subterfuge, should the terms of my denial be limited! to the tenor of its inventions.

Of the base men, who could fabricate such a falsehood, or, knowing its nature could circulate it, I cannot condescend to ask the contradiction of it. But I have a right to expect from my political friends an extensive circulation of this denial. -And I cannot but believe. that even political opponents, who have been unwillingly instrumental in spreading such a calumny, will not be so absorbed by party passions, as to be unmindful of what they owe to truth and to justice.

I am, Sir, very respectfully,

yours, &c.

JOSIAH QUINCY.

Benjamin Russell, Esq.