Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

REMARKS.

The whole of the transactions to which Mr. Ross alludes for which the secret service money, mentioned was applied the Editor was possessed of before the receipt of Mr. Ross's letter, and an article was prepared on the subject, which is suppressed in order to give place to this letter.

Was ever a country insulted with such impudence and falsehood. Almost every Aurora for a long time, has endeavored to stigmatize Mr. Ross for making use of the public money for the purpose of forwarding his election. And now when the circumstances are made known, behold the editor knew of the transaction. Base and impudent beyond example: He tells us to be sure, not that he intended to give a correct statement, to the public, but that "an article was prepared on the subject." But unless Mr. Ross had come forward to confute the calumny, the author would have continued to propagate it, as long as his slanders were read and he rewarded. But this is among the arts of an able editor.

When Duane charged the suppression of Wood's history on the federalists he knew very well the whole transaction, and that it was done by col. Burr. But this direct lie, and scandalous calumny, was only the art of an able editor, says the learned Mr. Cheetham. When Duane published the million of defalcations, he knew it was false but he could not support the character of an able editor, without such little lies. The degeneracy of the times has been a frequent theme of declamation for the politician and moralist. Americans must certainly have degenerated from their sires: or it could never happen that an illiterate & unprincipled foreigner should be permitted to propagate the most atrocious falsehoods, against the reputation of the first characters in the country, impudently acknowledge them, and to be openly rewarded for the infamous conduct, by the administration.

As for Duane, he is nothing -left to himself he would soon sink to his proper level or rise to that unenvied and deserved height, long since due to his merits. But what shall we think of those who encourage support and reward him. I blush for my country at the answer.

"It is to be inquired, independent of the merits of the application, under what authority or law the money was issued--for no law authorizes the war department to issue even a contingent expense but for an express and not a concealed service or . rather. it was issued without legal authority ; or admitting, and we shall, admit in its fullest latitude, that the use to which the money was applied, would have been not only proper, but wise under the circumstances alledged, if legal.

"The expense was not only proper, but wise, under the circumstances alledged." It is but a few days since the secret service money to Ross; was a fine subject to excite the jealousies and alarm the suspicions of the people, against the administration & Mr. Ross ; when Duane knew that Mr. Ross, at least, had acted not only proper but wise. Will any man believe that Duane was not acquainted long since with the whole transaction, both from Judge Brackenridge and the public officers? He now affects to turn off the attention, by considering the legality of the appropriation. This question has nothing to do with it as it affects Mr. Ross, who least justify Duane for the suspicions he was a mere agent. Nor does it in the endeavoured to excite against Mr. Ross's character.

Ross has unnecessarily taken the trouble to acquit himself. But Mr. Ross has either misunderstood. or presumed more than "Of the transactions of Lewis, Mr. was implied in the connection of Lewis's name with- his. The circumstance of connection was wholly founded on the certificates for the secret service money to Mr. Ros, and the secret service money to Mr. Same day and date. This was such a fact Lewis, being both dated and issued on the as, without explanation, must necessarily have placed the two issues in the same department on the same date, under a common suspicion."

This is a new discovery, -Because the certificates of Mr. Ross and Mr. Lewis and from the same department, they must therefore be connected. If that were the case Mr. Duane, you will find very few to transact business in the same office and on the same day with you.

by abusing Mr. Ross. Duane may well up in endeavouring to exculpate himself The remainder of his remarks is taken be attached to this kind of logic, as it has frequently been serviceable to him; but the time may arrive, when the public will demand something more satisfactory.

Walk. Fed.