Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

BATH REPRESENTATIVES.

The following communication, from our correspondent at Bath, was received immediately after the election of representatives in that place: but democratic disorganization & intrigue, having become so general, as to render their transactions at Bath, in no wise uncommon, its publication, at that time, was deemed unnecessary. A writer in the last Argus, however, over the signature of "Bath," having basely misrepresented facts, relative to that meeting, we are now constrained to give it publicity.

"DEAR SIR,

"OUR election for representatives is at last over. We have fought hard, and obtained the victory. For notwithstanding our majority, we have to contest every point. Mr. King, the great leader of democracy, was determined, at this time, to bear down every thing before him. They had made such use of the late good news, to deceive the people, that we really feared they would succeed. They exerted themselves to get out every person on their side, who had a right to vote, and many who had no right. Mr. King sent his Coach, for two old blind men, who had no right, and were not even allowed to vote after they had got to the meeting. After the meeting was opened, Mr. King made a long harangue; denied the right we had to send three representatives, on the authority of the last strange resolve, which the House passed respecting that subject. He contended that it was inexpedient: the late glorious news would put an end to all opposition... He spoke a great deal in favor of the administration and the embargo policy. He sympathized with the unfortunate sufferers who had held out under their calamities, but assured them the highest honors of their country awaited them, the second class of people; for so he called them, whose sufferings had been so great that they were obliged to abandon their former principles. He compared, to a brave army, those who, notwithstanding they had fought hard, were obliged to capitulate to superior force. They also were meritorious. But for the third class, who always persisted against the late measures, & opposed the embargo from first to last; "for them, even charity had nothing in store:" they would receive, & merited, the contempt of the world. All Europe, he said, would behold with astonishment, that we, by our embargo, could obtain terms from Great Britain, such as they could not, with all their powerful and numerous armies; and he spoke a great deal of his willingness to sacrifice his property, and even "take his blanket and lie in the field," to maintain that liberty and independence for which our fathers fought & bled. His speech was calculated to deceive the people. But he was answered in a very able and spirited manner by Mr. Coffin, who silenced and put to nought, every argument and assertion which had been made. He confounded the democrats, confirmed the doubtful, and, I believe, convinced many of their delusion. He was continually interrupted by Messrs. K. and Tallman; the truth did not suit their ears, & they were unwilling other people should hear it. Mr. C. proved, by the assessors, that they had rated 624 polls, the present year, and that there were a number of ratable polls in town, who were not rated. Mr. J. Wingate basely insinuated, that the assessors were guilty of perjury. Such an insinuation against such men, could only come from a person as base as himself. He was answered by Mr. Davis, who is one of the assessors, in such a manner, as evinced his sense of the outrage. Mr. James Mc Lellan, made his maiden speech: "Mr. Chairman, I will make a motion, that Mr. Coffin don't speak no more!" The house was polled, which is a method the democrats always call for, knowing that a number are afraid to take a stand boldly. The persons chosen, are WM. WEBB, SAMUEL DAVIS, and JONATHAN HYDE.

Yours, &c.

Bath, May 3d, 1809."