Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

We have studiously avoided to notice the state politics of New York, for in truth we must confess we do not understand them, and we should feel no pleasure in copying into our paper the volumes of abuse which each party bestows upon its opponents. We both hope and believe that neither are as bad as represented, for to suppose otherwise, would be to suppose that publick and private virtue are banished from the state.

Our neighbour, the Richmond Enquirer, has indulged in some animadversions upon New York politics, which have drawn upon him some sharp observations; but a recent publication in his paper has produced the notice which we copy from the New York Morning Chronicle. We have been induced to notice this publication, as we are persuaded that it is the clue to some intrigue, which time will unfold; meanwhile it is certainly incumbent on the Editor of the Enquirer, or his correspondent, to give some evidence of the charge made on Mr. Livingston. A man who has been so much honoured and distinguished by his country, is entitled to consideration, and ought not to be charged in so serious a manner without something like proof.

We cannot be supposed to have any knowledge of the secret views of the parties called republican, but we can perceive that they have but little confidence in each other. Who shall be the next President? This is the source of all the animosity, this induces the partizans of each favourite leader to seek the destruction of the man who may come in conflict.

Private letters from England say, that the mission of Lord Selkirk to the United States is not quite certain. It is by some stated that his Lordship wishes to decline the embassy. At all events his departure is delayed until the fate of the Bill before Parliament respecting the Colonial Intercourse with this country and the negotiations depending with Mr. Monroe are determined. We expect that the prohibitory Bill reached London a few days after the date of our advices by the Wheeler, of the 11th of May. That Bill received the President's signature on the 15th of April, but on what day it passed the Senate we have not examined, but believe the 16th of April ; we do not imagine that the British government would notice it officially until it passed into a Law, which was not until it was approved by the President.

From The Morning Chronicle.

Infamous and outrageous lie.--The following abominable lie, and series of lies, together with all the folly and falsehood with which it is garnished, is extracted from the Richmond Enquirer, of the 13th inst.

" But the present is peculiarly a crisis, when this suspicious spirit of moderation is likely to produce very fatal misfortunes. Cast your eye towards Pennsylvania and New-York. In the first state, the administration of Mr. McKean is eulogised by these apostates, these quids, or what is still more appropriate, the political mongrels. In New-York, the division among the republicans is more the result of family feuds than of political principle; but even there, what strong symptoms are shown of contemptible mongrelism! During the very last election, chancellor Livingston himself, the man who has disgraced the services of a whole life by his late dishonourable attempt to tear from Mr. Monroe those laurels which were due to him for his aid during the Louisiana negotiation, even he has still further added to his disgrace by encouraging his friends to combine with the federalists. At such a time, therefore, it becomes necessary to explode every effort which may be employed to produce this unnatural combination ! Is it not then necessary to keep the widest possible distinction between the republican and federal parties?"

This paragraph has been republished by the slanderous Cheetham, in his paper of yesterday, accompanied with some insidious and infamous remarks. The Captain commences, by observing, that the " writer betrays a want of information on the affairs of this state, and the principles and conduct of the republican party." To this proposition we yield our most hearty assent. Not only this writer, but Mr. Ritchie himself, is most deplorably ignorant of every circumstance which has produced the apostacy of a portion of the republican party in this state. The sources of our divisions here, are sufficiently notorious. They arise from the profligate ambition of certain individuals, aided by the obsequious services of a foreign political incendiary, who from his former standing in the republican party, has been able to deceive and delude individuals --and they may also be imputed in no small degree, to the pernicious exertions of an horde of hungry office holders, who are devoted to an imperious and intriguing master.

But the foul and unprecedented slanders of the writer in the Richmond Enquirer, deserve our immediate animadversion. We say unprecedented, because even Cheetham himself, who as a daring calumniator is without a rival in this or any other country, has never before possessed the confidence to make a charge so false and so monstrous. Even now, he dare not give even his insignificant sanction, to the libels of the Virginian slanderer, but demands proof of the editor of the Enquirer. If this writer has had the hardihood to promulgate a falsehood which Cheetham shrunk from publishing, he must indeed be sunk in depravity so deeply, that nothing less than the interposition of miraculous power, could restore him to decency.

" Chancellor Livingston, (says this scoundrel) has disgraced the services of a whole life by his late speculations in Paris, and by his dishonourable attempt to tear from Mr. Monroe the laurels which were due to him for his aid, during the Louisiana negotiation." As to the charge made in the Enquirer, and explained in the Citizen, that the minister speculated in the Louisiana purchase, we do in the most solemn manner, and from the most indisputable authority, assert that it is FALSE, and without the faintest shadow of foundation--Neither he, nor any of his connexions, ever made speculations of the description to which this libeller refers. It is a fact well known,
and universally acknowledged, by all parties, personally acquainted with the late minister, that there does not exist a man who, in pecuniary concerns, is more uniformly disinterested, and generous. For an illustrious proof of the truth of this position, I need only refer to the conduct of Mr. Livingston in his diplomatick capacity. It is notorious that in France, the American minister, influenced by a patriotick and laudable ambition, to elevate in the estimation of foreigners, the character of the country which he represented, sustained the dignity of his official character, in a style entirely unexempled, and at the expense of his private fortune. No minister was ever more respected at a foreign court than Mr. Livingston, and there has never existed one, who rendered to his country, services more splendid and important. The acquisition of Louisiana, which has added a world to the extent of our empire which has removed us from the vicinage of a dangerous and restless neighbour, and which has given permanence to our national tranquility and prosperity, is to be principally attributed to Mr. Livingston.

But says this villainous Calomniator, Mr. Livingston has endeavoured to deprive Mr. Monroe, of the laurels which he earned in that negotiation. This assertion is also totally false and malicious, Mr. Livingston, with that modesty and candor which are so remarkably his characteristics, has never denied to Mr. Monroe all the credit which the warmest of his friends, (Mr. John Randolph not excepted) would wish to claim for him, on account of his conduct in the Louisiana negociation. On every occasion, Mr. Livingston has spoken of Mr. Monroe in terms respectful and honourable. Since, however, the subject has been forced upon us, we do not hesitate to declare that the merit of the negociation is due in a principal degree to Mr. Livingston. In saying this, we are far from wishing to detract from the praise due to Mr. Monroe, for his cordial aid and co-operation with the resident minister. But our impressions are correct, the business was nearly, if not entirely completed, previously to the arrival of Mr. Monroe at Paris. It is not, however, our desire at this time, to pursue the subject any farther; it is merely our wish to shew, that the Richmond writer has published a wilful and wicked falsehood, respecting Chancellor Livingston.

As to the stale and exploded charge, that the chancellor during the late election, was at the polls in support of the federal ticket, we have already repeatedly proved to be unfounded. Cheetham and Holt, however, are not deterred by detection, from the repetition of slander. As there was no republican assembly ticket in the county, Mr. Livingston voted only for the republican senator, Messrs. Burt and Barlow, who were elected by a majority of more than two thousand, over the candidates of the Clintonian faction.

But where is the necessity that I should attempt the defence of Chancellor Livingston against the impotent malice of a Cheetham, a Holt, or a Ritchie? His character is too well known throughout Europe and this country--his reputation is too firmly established by his uniform patriotism, and by his publick services from the time of our revolution, when his accusers were the humble vassals of a foreign potentate, or " mewling and puking in their nurses arms" --When these miserable slanderers are forgotten forever, and their dust is scattered to the winds, the name of Robert R. Livingston, will be enrolled with those of the American worthies who are justly styled " the fathers of their country."

This is not the language of panegyrick --it is the offspring of conviction, and the effusion of a mind which despises flattery in the same degree that it detests slander.

I cannot conclude this article, without a word of admonition to the editor of the Enquirer. You, sir, are at a distance from the scene of politics in this state, the information which you possess concerning them, is on all hands agreed to be extremely imperfect and erroneous, and is probably derived through circuitous, warped or corrupted channels. You ought therefore, to be cautious in your expressions, and not suffer a foolish vanity, a frivolous desire of distinction, or a restless, turbulent temper, to betray you into error. You have now given currency to absolute and most infamous falsehoods respecting one of the most eminent of the patriots of our native country.--If I am not misinformed, you are by birth an American ; and I cannot suppose that you do not feel an affection for your natale solum,--the country of your nativity. The vile calumnies which you have circulated respecting a distinguished patriot of our country, ought to fill your bosom with remorse and shame.--I wish not to speak with severity, for I am willing to believe that in this business you have been a dupe, rather than a wilful deceiver.--Let me exhort you to examine before you decide, to weigh well your words before you give them to the world, and to be certain that you are correct, before you dare to accuse.