The New Hampshire Gazette

The Western Army,

Now under Gen. Wilkinson, are making, we learn, preparations for taking possession of the "Western Posts," in June next;—those posts being seven or eight in number, will require the chief part of the army to garrison them; though, except at Detroit, and those on Lake Champlain, there are not any settlements around them. [Of these posts, the first beginning at the east, are Point Aufer, and Dutchman's point, on Lake Champlain—The others are Oswego, Niagara, the Miami, Detroit, and Michillimackinac. In the surrender of these posts, by the treaty, it has been objected, that the British subjects round them, have it at their option, to continue such. An elegant writer on this subject, has stated, that all the persons embraced by the privileges stipulated, do not amount to more than three thousand, men, women, and children, chiefly French Canadians, and their descendants—a number too inconsiderable to admit of attaching any political consequence whatever to the stipulation. This writer, then proceeds to ask, "Of what importance can it possibly be to the United States, whether two or three thousand persons, men, women, and children, are permitted to reside within their limits, either as British or American subjects, at their option? If the thing was an object of desire to Great Britain for the accommodation of the individuals concerned, could it have merited a moment's hesitation on our part? As to residence, it is the ordinary courtesy of nations at peace; to permit the mutual residence of the citizens of each other within their respective territories. British subjects are now free by our laws, to reside in all parts of the United States. As to the permission to become citizens, it has been the general policy and practice of our country to facilitate the naturalization of foreigners. And we may safely count on the interest of the individuals, and on that desire to enjoy equal rights which is so deeply implanted in the human breast, that all who resolve to make their permanent residence with us, will become citizens."
The expense of holding the Posts it is expected, will ere long be a subject for Jacobin complaint.