The Enquirer

We have been surprised to see, in one of the ablest prints in the U.S. (The Baltimore Whig.) the following extract:

THE ORLEANS BATTURE

Extract to the editors dated Washington, Dec 15 1810.

"Edward Livingston has taken possession of the Batture, in Connexion with some corrupt officers of the U. S. government. The late marshal was the friend of L. C. and all Burr men--the present marshal is a good man, but a weak and sometimes a madman. The district attorney was the late major of the 5th regiment infantry U. S. He is without principle: and in proof, boasted that he had lived two months in general Wilkinson's family, in order to blow him up" --he was ignorant of his duties as a military man; but resigned on his arrival at Orleans,--through the influence of Thomas B. Robertson, the secretary of that Territory. (who is a Randolph or Clark man)--the inveterate enemy of gov. Claiborne and the U. S. government.-- It was he who in conjunction with T. B. Robertson and judge Hall, who lately attempted to destroy the character of Philip Grymes the best friend of our federal government and a sound republican. It is believed by many, that Livingston's intrigue extended to Congress, as the zealous harangues of S--y and a certain territorial member were supposed to evince; though without effect on the general body of that assembly."

The Editors of the Whig are not presumed to know the gentlemen who are abused in the above extract--what could have led the writer to make this attack, we are at a loss to say. But so far as we are acquainted with the abused, never were charges built on so slight a basis.

"The District Attorney of the U. S." without principle! The act at New Orleans must have strangely altered him! A man who was sincerely respected and beloved in Virginia, a man of no principle! Impossible! Tully Robertson is a man of sterling integrity--& every man in this State who knows him will subscribe to the opinion. His orders to dispossess Livingston must acquit him, at least, of any suspicion of favoring his views.

T. B. Robertson--a Randolph man!-- Mr. Randolph himself will smile at the idea. No one was a warmer adversary of his than B. Robertson. In what light he now stands to Daniel Clarke, we know not--but so far as this may be an implication of Burrism, it is a gross and palpable mistake. In thought, deed and expression, B. R. was an unremitting enemy of Burr. But he is "the inveterate enemy of the U. S. government." Shame, shame! No man was a warmer friend of Jefferson's administration, when he left us--and the waters of the Mississippi must have wrought wonders, if it has changed his principles. But he is not changed-- we have, the best authority, for saying, that his letters to his dearest friends now breathe the warmest affection for the present Administration. But we have done. Such are the facts.