The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

THE BUBBLE HAS BURST

The National Intelligencer of Monday last says:

'Various rumours were yesterday afloat in the public prints, on the subject of an Armistice, said to be in a train of negotiation, or concluded. To prevent the rumour from gaining any further currency, we think proper to state, that we believe it to be entirely without foundation.'

Thus we find, after the time for subscribing for the loan had expired;—after the report of an Armistice has penetrated so far into the interior of Massachusetts that its contradiction cannot reach it before the elections are over:—that Mr. Madison's mouth-piece in Washington comes out with a formal, but flat contradiction of the report— A report,—the foundation of which was laid in this same organ, the National Intelligencer, on the 9th March; was echoed in the Aurora of the 12th, with the addition of a promised Russian Guarantee of American claims, and the exhibition of a prospect, that the 'War would terminate before the Summer campaign opened;' which was re-echoed by the hirelings of Administration in every quarter, and blazoned forth in the Chronicle 'with a school-book figure of Fame blowing a trumpet proclaiming 'Good [false] News.' But all this was to assist the Loan, and influence the elections of Massachusetts. To such base and dishonourable means are the present misrulers of the nation driven to support their vile measures; and it is thus that the understanding of the American people is insulted by those who when it suits their purposes, pretend to repose on their sound discretion, when wholly uninfluenced by circumstances. The above contradiction was inserted in the Intelligencer of Monday, but it did not make its way to Boston until the day of election; and was then inserted in a corner of the Chronicle in a small type, without one word of editorial remark on the subject. It will be seen that the federal papers have cautioned the publick against the scandalous imposition. But there appears to be no limit to delusion, and thousands seem to agree with Hudibras, that

'The pleasure is as great
Of being cheated as to cheat.'

A letter from Norfolk, dated the 29th ult says, 'yesterday all the ships in Hampton Roads dropped down to Lynnhaven Bay. The ship nearest up, is within five miles of Old Point Comfort. We know not the cause of this movement.'

April 6.

It is now ascertained to be a fact, that our Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Gallatin, is going out to Russia in the Adams. On this subject we subjoin the remarks of the Editor of the Federal Republican of Friday last. We hope he is not correct in his conclusions.

'We are thoroughly convinced the farce about the Russian mediation will turn out to be nothing more than a deep manœuvre to get Mr. Barlow's successor safe to France. The British Admiral has granted a flag for a vessel to convey a Minister to Russia. Let it be looked to. The minister once landed on the continent, may, to keep up appearances, tarry a while at St. Petersburg, but time will prove his destination to be the City of Paris. Why has nothing been said in the government papers about General Crawford's appointment to succeed Barlow? Why has a profound silence been observed in the same quarter of the place and period of his embarkation? By civilised nations, a flag of truce has ever been held sacred, and is never violated unless abused. A vessel of England, which came into the harbour of Annapolis, under the sanction of such a flag, has been seized, and her officers taken into custody. Suppose the vessel permitted to sail at the request of Mr. Dashkoff should be overhauled by the blockading squadron, and there should be found, on board, in disguise, an Ambassador to France, sent out to complete the unfinished arrangements of Mr. Barlow, may not Mr. Madison be reminded of his laying violent hands on Mr. Moore, the late consul and present agent of prisoners, and the officers of the cartel of exchange at Annapolis. Mr. Madison will be handsomely fixed if his whole scheme is blowed, and his Minister is made prisoner. But it is at length said to be ascertained, that, of all men in the world, the Genevan Secretary of the Treasury is to sail in the flag of truce for Russia; to settle our dispute with England. Albert Gallatin at St. Petersburg will be Bonaparte's Minister, and is the last man in the country that would have been sent upon the proposed errand, unless deception and fraud are at the bottom of the scheme. The Genevan, if he goes, will superintend the affairs of France at Alexander's court, and John Quincy Adams could have done the business just as well as any other person, if nothing but what is fair and above board is intended. We are, however, glad to get so bad a man out of the country, upon any terms; for it is difficult to say which of the three, Jefferson, the Genevan, or Madison, is the worst. We hope a good use may be made of the time to be gained by this mission, and, the country may be put in a state of defence.'

A letter from Washington says the Adams frigate is preparing to take out Mr Gallatin to St. Petersburg. Another letter observes, 'It is feared the Adams will spring a leak off the coast of France.'

Is it true that Brockholst Livingston, Esq. is going to France, to fill the place of Mr. Barlow? It is said he has been invited to Washington, and that he has accepted the invitation. We shall hear more of this in a day or two. He may go out in the Adams with Mr. Gallatin.

The French General Humbert, who some days since arrived at Beaufort in the schooner Inca, from France, passed through this city last week for the northward. This is the same General who commanded the French troops that landed in Ireland in 1797.