Gazette Of The United States

FROM THE COLUMBIAN CENTINEL.

TO THE HON. JOHN JAY, ESQ.

Whether the helm of State you guide,*
Or bid the storm of War subside,+
Or, to the clement Virtues dear,
From Africk catch the falling tear §
Or, with a voice, whose dulcet train
Might soothe the saddening soul of pain,
O'er the stern courts of Law preside, I
Not stern to lean on mercy's side,
Or, in thy soft retirement blest,
Feel all the Father warm thy breast,
Thine is fair Virtue's noblest cause,
And thine the summit of Applause.

Nor shall a faction's fraudulent sway
E'er tear one laurel'd wreath away:
To thee the generous heart extends,
For thee the patriot prayer ascends,
On thee the rightful suffrage falls,
For thee the SACRED PEOPLE calls.

Wrong'd of their hopes the numerous band,
Determin'd wait thy guiding hand,
E'en while degraded Freedom turns
To where defeated FRIENDship mourns;
Thus when the midnight's vap'ry breath
In clouds obscure the sylvan heath,
No strains of Music cheer the vale,
No flow'ret scents the fresh'ning gale,
Till the Bright sun's benignant ray
Dispels the gloom, and pours the day.

PHILENIA.

* As member of the first Congress.
+ One of the plenipotentiaries who formed the treaty of peace.
§ President of the first society for the abolition of the slave trade.
I Chief Justice of the United States.