Kentucky Gazette

TO THE EDITOR—FOR THE PEOPLE.

MASSACRE OF OUR PRISONERS.

It is known to every person acquainted with Indian affairs, that the British North West Company, are equally principals with that government, in instigating their fellow savages to all the murders and massacres of our women and children on the frontiers—that previous to the declaration of war this company were the principals and agents through whom all the scalping knives and tomahawks were distributed. That they are the eternal enemies of the United States, and that whilst they are permitted to trade and hold factories within the acknowledged limits of the U. States, a constant alarm will be kept up by them, to prevent the settlement of the frontiers.

The trade of that company is profitable. Keep for ever the port folio of the Statesman at a distance from the ledger of a merchant. Look to the cruelties of the old Dutch government in the East Indies: look to the millions murdered by the British East India Company. A trading statesman has not a spark of feeling nor love of country—human blood to him is viewed as of no more value than water. He would barter lives for gold, as he would sell tape or British callicoes.

We recollect the circumstance of the infamous abandonment to Mackenzie, a few years past, of the smuggled merchandise seized by Duncan at the risk of his life. Had the man who gave up that seizure, any interest in the smuggled merchandise? does he hold any shares in this infernal company? Rumours are afloat which we believe entitled to credit, that there are men who have some influence in the cabinet, who are connected with a company who are the authors of all the savage barbarities.

The cabinet has been lately purged, another dose would render all sane; TWO more, that is, a whole member and half member, must be removed, or their intrigues will endanger every good intention. We repeat, keep the ledger of a Machiavelian cent per cent mercantile Statesman, far away from the port folio of a President.

Perhaps this little circumstance may not be recollected by all of our readers—we therefore give the outline:—Whilst Duncan was collector at Detroit, he detected an act of smuggling at the risk of his life, and seized Mackenzie's vessel and merchandise, worth 50 or 60,000 pounds sterling. This vessel and cargo was released by the secretary of the treasury to the British owner—Duncan, unwilling to be defrauded of his share of the prize, made application to the secretary to be indemnified—it was refused him. A Philadelphian advised Duncan to indemnify himself out of the public money then in his possession—Duncan did so, and left the U. States with 30 or 40,000 dollars, public money—and now resides in Canada.—(Editor