Martinsburgh Gazette

Extract of a letter from a gentleman of high respectability, and much political information, to his friend in this County, dated, New York, October 1, 1812.

"On coming to this place this morning, I received your letter of the 23rd ult. I hasten to give you an answer to some of your inquiries concerning Mr. Clinton.

"Mr. Clinton is by no means a person I should prefer as president, but under existing circumstances, it is the only alternative between peace and war; between commerce and the numerous blessings in its train, and poverty, disgrace and public distresses of almost every kind--Every other evil is either local or temporary, except that of the war.

The interruption of commerce may be removed-Vexatious captures will have an end— The impressment of seamen is limited, and the principle disavowed: but the war leads to possible consequences: striking at the independence of the nation, by destroying, or so weakening the efforts of Great Britain in the war, as to give France the means of reducing her-This would be an evil, the mischief of which time would extend and aggravate.-It would overwhelm this country in scenes of blood and horror, by bringing into it one or two hundred thousand men from the armies which have subjugated Europe. There cannot be a plainer maxim of policy for the United States, than to balance the power of France and England against each other; as long as they make war on each other, we are safe, as to our independence. Let either destroy the other, and we should then feel the magnitude of the mischief of an union of the maritime and continental powers of Europe under the same leader. There would exist no effectual barrier against such a power; and yet this union our government are doing all their feeble powers enable them to do, to bring about by aiding the strongest of the two powers-one avowedly making war on Russia, because she refuses to aid in the destruction of England, by continuing to pursue what Buonaparte calls the continental system; one pursuing conquest against the other avowedly on the defensive, who seeks no conquests, and can make none of primary importance, who can indeed plunder our ships, but do us no lasting mischief, who desires our friendship, and has done all that can reasonably be expected to retain it. These are my sentiments-and these considerations have induced the federalists here, almost unanimously, to determine to aid the election of Mr. Clinton. He is certainly a firm man, and has acted with spirit here. He has pledged himself to maintain commerce, and to take immediate measures to make peace. I believe he was tinctured with political prejudices against England, but they are done away, and I have reason to believe he perceives that our interest requires that England should maintain the war against France. Whether he will be impartial in the distribution of offices, I doubt, but I believe he cannot be less so than Madison,-and we think there is no alternative, wherefore this consideration has no weight.

" Massachusetts has agreed to unite for Clinton-Rhode Island and Connecticut the same-New-Hampshire and New-York are certain-Vermont probable, and we suppose New-Jersey and Pennsylvania are probably in his favour. I think we are sure of peace if he is elected."