The New Hampshire Gazette

For the GAZETTE.

Messrs. Printers,

In the Oracle of the 26th July, I noticed a scurrilous piece, bearing the signature of "a good Republican,"--but if we may be permitted to judge from the style of his production, we shall conclude, that if he is a good any thing, he must be in the language of the revolution, a good tory. Speaking of those who met at Stratham on the 4th July to celebrate the anniversary of American Independence, he says, "a number of old men met to celebrate Independence," &c. Astonishing! that old men, men who during the revolutionary war, were often found in arms, committing many high crimes and misdemeanors against the honor and dignity of the crown of Great Britain: that these men should pretend to meet to celebrate Independence, is "surprising" indeed. I think the tory even exceeds that of John Bull the clothier.--as if it were not enough for them to meet themselves, they must also invite the younger people, and thereby fill their minds with prejudice against the "glorious" government of Britain. O, shame on the immorality of the present age. "They met," says our "good republican," and the biggest part got home again the same night." You are a little wrong there, neighbor good republican, they got home before night. The bell, you say, was to ring at 5 o'clock-- that is erroneous. Our bell, like the federalists in Stratham, is so insignificant that it could not be heard far, even should we jingle it with all our might. As to what you say about a gun's splitting, &c. there was not a man of the company who had a gun with him, or who fired a gun during the day. Do Mr. good republican tell the undisguised truth, and you will be heard with attention. The writer in the Oracle insinuates that he was one of the party, but no sir, no, that was not the case, for although there were more than forty of us, there was not a buffoon in the company.--He has likewise endeavored to revive the old federal lie of the two millions, but its falsity is so notorious that it is now disgusting even to a federalist. The Louisiana affair is also lugged in, in the usual style of a federalist--but the consistency of a federalist may be demonstrated by the following story:--At the time when Spain denied us the right of deposit at New Orleans, I was conversing with a federalist of note on the subject, who in very pointed language blamed the "pusillanimous conduct of the executive," saying we ought to send an army immediately and take New Orleans and Louisiana, and not suffer such things from imbecile Spain. A month or two after, when news had arrived that we had purchased Louisiana, I was conversing with the same gentleman, who expressed himself in these words, "our President has given a number of millions of dollars for Louisiana, which we did not want any more than a cat wants two tails."--He would send an army, and thus commence a war with Spain and France, to take that which we did not want. O, federalism, where is thy shame!---Because our general court passed an act imposing upon us the repair of the bridge across Exeter river, shall we curse the birth-day of our Independence, and wish ourselves again under the "just" government of Great-Britain? We believe that many of the members of the general court who voted in favor of the act, were not thoroughly acquainted with the circumstances of the case. They, living in distant parts of the state, and conceiving the affair of the bridge to be of small consequence, had neglected to give it that attention which its importance deserved,--but we are confident that when they come candidly to investigate the matter, they will see the injustice of the measure, and repeal the obnoxious act. The majority of our general court are Republicans, and we are sure that true republicans, in matters with which they are thoroughly acquainted, will never sanction injustice in any instance or in any degree.-- I shall only observe, that if our author is as knowing as his wonderful production, he will be obliged to "ride to the tavern," to celebrate Independence the very next year.

RUSTICUS

Stratham, August 6, 1806.