National Gazette

Capt. Macpherson of the Ship Patience Rutledge arrived here on Sunday from Ostend, which place he left on the 26th of August, informs, that two days before he sailed letters were received by the magistrates of the city informing, that M. La Fayette and a number of his officers were taken by some peasants within the Austrian lines, and that he was conveyed and securely confined in the castle of Antwerp about 10 leagues from Ostend. —Reports in Ostend relative to this affair were various before he sailed. Some say he was on a reconnoitering party with a few of his officers and was surprised and taken by about double the number of peasants.—Another report is, that he was in disguise and endeavouring to make his way through the country towards some sea port town to take shipping for America. That he was discovered by some of the inhabitants, seized and delivered into the hands of government.—He requested, it is also said, to be removed from the scene of action on the frontiers. and chose Antwerp for the place of his confinement.—The account of his being taken and actually confined, was communicated to Capt. Macpherson by the merchant to whom he was consigned who had seen the letters received by the magistrates.—There can therefore be but little doubt of the reality of the fact. What led to his being taken is not so evident. That a general officer should venture into an enemy's country with so little caution as to be captured by peasants is not very probable; that M. La Fayette should desert the cause at the moment it most needed his support, is more incredible.

Information received in town from Bourdeaux, via New-York, may assist in unravelling the mystery. A vessel arrived in New-York from Bourdeaux. which place she left on the last day of August, informs, that a decree of accusation against M. La Fayette had received the sanction of a majority of the national assembly. That orders were in consequence issued to apprehend him, and another commander was chosen in his stead. M. La Fayette, it is probable receiving information of this decree, before the arm of the Jacobin party could reach him, may have taken the resolution to escape their fury. The breach of the constitution by the Jacobins would not have been sufficient to have led him to abandon his country ; but the command being taken from him by the ruling party, put it out of his power to be any longer serviceable, especially, as his arrest was decreed, which might be followed by a summary trial, condemnation, and perhaps death. An attempt to fly to this country as an asylum would be extremely natural in such circumstances, and not unworthy of himself. He will be treated with humanity by the depots into whose hands he has fallen ;—not so if the emigrants had him in their power. His efforts in favour of the king, whose life he has saved more than once, will plead powerfully in his behalf; but it is much to be regretted', that if it was his plan to fly to this country, he should have been unsuccessful. Here he might have enjoyed the sweets of that liberty, in the cause of which he has been so active, and we should have had an opportunity of testifying our admiration for his character, and gratitude for his services.

Capt. Macpherson also informs, that before he came away, several of the officers of the northern army had arrived at Ostend, and among others Count Dillon. They were probably impelled to emigrate in disgust at the proceedings of the Jacobins,

The Duke of Brunswick had taken possession of several French towns, without meeting with opposition. The last accounts from Paris, described the city as in a state of more tranquility since the deposition of the king. The decree of accusation against La Fayette, and his capture, added to the deposition of the king, have made a change in the situation of affairs in France. The cause of the constitution expires ; but that of liberty and republicanism are still to be supported.

It remains to be determined whether the royalists, aristocrats and constitutionalists, will not be more numerous than republicans. If the republicans can maintain a decided superiority within, the cause of liberty and equality may still prevail, this must still be the wish of every friend to the rights of man. It is better that France should feel for a few years the evils of anarchy, than again to experience the horrors of despotism. The French, the great body of the French nation have seen the dawn of liberty, they can never bend to the yoke of tyranny.

Whilft Paine, and other American patriots abroad are labouring to reform the corrupt governments of Europe to the standard of the American constitution; what a stigma on a certain faction at home, that is sighing and intriguing to corrupt and warp our constitution to the standard of a certain European monarchy.