The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

An article has been lately re-published from a Massachusetts newspaper, suggesting that the government of the United States had abandoned the claim upon the sugar refiners, for the duty upon all such sugars, as were refined before July and not sent out of the refineries in or before June. This article was first published, avowedly to prove the general unsoundness of the law opinions of Levi Lincoln, Esquire, the attorney general of the U. States. Though I am a perfect stranger to that gentleman, I wish to do an act of simple justice to him and to the government, by stating it as certain (without fear of contradiction) that the claim of the United States on the sugar refiners has not been abandoned. On the contrary, instructions have been long since given by the treasury to receive the money or take the usual bonds in October, for the duties on sugars refined before July, and sent out of the refineries in the current quarter: and so of other quarters 'til the whole shall be settled. Instead of a doubt on the part of the government with respect to the soundness of Mr. Lincoln's opinion, either in law or reason, it is known to stand confirmed by the convictions it has produced in the minds of others. There is not the least intention to discuss here, the merits of the government's claim, nor to affect the arguments of gentlemen concerned in the refineries, nor those of their numerous and able counsel. Nor shall the repelled attempt to injure Mr. Lincoln lead us into any unkindness or disrespect to those, who have interests or opinions different from those of the government. though such vain attacks upon a good man in our highest law office (accompanied by a spirit of hostility to the government) have drawn forth these vindicatory truths.

Those editors of Newspapers, who have published the article referred to, will do honor to their candor in printing this short reply. They will also have the satisfaction of doing justice to the government of our country, by informing our fellow-citizens, that it is the personal wish of every public agent, that the Supreme Court of the United States (which is of a clearly federal character) should decide the question at their first sitting.

VERUS.