The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

United States.

MASSACHUSETTS.

BOSTON, April 19.

Whether the conduct of Ensign Morgan ought not to be severely censured for presuming to vindicate the honour and reputation of a deceased soldier, and daring to confront such exalted personages as appear against him, is a question, on which some may probably hesitate to decide; but every independent American, who feels for the sufferings of a disconsolate widow, or who possesses one spark of benevolence, cannot but resent the arbitrary measure of ordering a man who comes forward to vindicate the reputation of his friend, 900 miles, for the purpose of being tried; a distance so great, that in the nature of things, he must be deprived of many essential matters relative to his trial.—Why was the Indian business, which costs so many thousands to the states, involved in such a cloud of mystery, that when it was debated in Congress, the galleries were cleared—and when a trial is to be had on the subject, it is to be carried 900 miles, into the deserts? Why are St. Clair and the Secretary at War desirous of ordering Morgan at this distance? If the charge against Butler is just, why should it not be publicly manifested?—Why is St. Clair, and his friends, backward in the investigation?—On the other hand, is not the honour of Butler, as dear to his connexions, as St. Clair's?—Rather is it not equally as dear to every American? Butler has given the most undeniable proof of his patriotism, having sealed his attachment to his country with his blood:—Why then should not the reputation of this patriot and soldier, be publicly vindicated? The manes of Butler demand it! His family claims it! and his grateful country cannot deny this last respect to his memory: Though his corpse lies buried in the wilderness, yet his reputation is too dear to his countrymen, to suffer it to perish in like obscurity.

It is full enough to squander away the public money for the benefit of the War Department, without the additional violation of the rights of citizens, in dragging a man hundreds of miles for trial for supposed crimes. The honor and reputation of all the persons concerned in persecuting Morgan, from the first hour of his existence to the present moment, are in no comparison equal to the insult offered every citizen of the United States, by ordering a BROTHER FREEMAN 900 miles for trial. Hancock and Adams were formerly threatened to be sent to England for trial. How then did the Americans resent it? It is presumed that our liberties are as dear to us as ever: and that we are no more willing to part with them to Lord K— than to Lord North.