The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

In an inflated address, published in a late National Intelligencer, General Wilkinson has made an appeal to the people of the United States, upon the subject of his persecutions. In consequence of the publication of the evidences of his guilt, as collected by the committee of Congress, the General says he shall present the only defence in his power to offer, and if in the course of the exposition which has been forced upon him, he should be obliged to inflict wounds, where he "has been desirous to spare feelings, the duty which he owed to the character of a soldier, to his name and family, and the sense of wrongs must excuse him."

He complains of the nature of these publications, of the injustice done him, of the inability of any character to withstand such insidious attacks. "My cause," says he, "is the cause of all, and if the measure of injustice aimed at me be suffered to prevail, who among you will be safe, from the most exalted to the most obscure?"

What virtuous citizen can endure such impertinent arrogance? Wilkinson complain of injustice! He who seized without authority or justice, unoffending individuals in New-Orleans and transported them to the seat of government. Wilkinson complain that he is prejudged? He who without any proof but his own suspicion or perhaps to screen his own infamy, declared those individuals to be traitors who were afterwards found guiltless, and having exhausted their substance in waiting the termination of their confinement, were reduced to abject poverty and overwhelming distress. Wilkinson complain of inculpatory testimony! He who was instrumental in preventing those very individuals from being heard in their own defence.

Notwithstanding the glaring inconsistencies of this creature, he certainly ought not to be treated unjustly. Let us hear him: and though as to him no proceedings can be wrong, yet for the dignity of the laws, he ought not to be prejudged. Wilkinson now finds "we still have judgement here," and that--

"Even handed justice commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice to our own lips."