The New Hampshire Gazette

FEBRUARY 13.
From PHILADELPHIA.

Extract of a letter from a Member of Congress, to his friend in this town, dated Feb. 3.

I presume you will not expect me to close this letter, without some observations on the political manoeuvres in this quarter. My sentiments, on general principles, you know. The trite tune of anti-federal is going fast out of fashion, it now affords but little music even to the ears of its authors; tho' they ought to reverence its departed shade, for I believe it has operated as a magic to blind the public mind, while measures were maturing, that may eventually change the original characteristic features of our government. The Bank and funding systems will probably give a cast to its complexion, that the authors of the Constitution never contemplated. The monied interest unless some changes take place, will form an Aristocratic influence, that will be inevitable. This is the great line between the Legislative parties, which now stand nearly on a poise. Two important questions will speedily put their strength to the test. I mean the propositions of Madison, and the Report of the Algerine Committee, which I presume you have seen. The debates on the first have wholly occupied the House for the last three weeks; and perhaps British interests were never more ardently advocated in St. Stephen's Chapel, than they have been in the course of the debates, within the walls of Congress. Madison has commanded the applause even of his enemies. The superficial froth of sonorous words and harmonious periods, vanish before the irresistible strength of his reasoning.