Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

Mr. Snowden,

PERMIT me to trouble you with a few lines in reply to Mr. Longden.. As he has thought proper to term the communication Signed "A Subscriber," an "address to the citizens," and to charge the author with falsehood, and a great deal I cannot comprehend, to which I cannot pretend to reply at present, as I wish to give it a general investigation. Sure it was a treacherous action, to exculpate those refractory fellows from unmerited contempt, because they have offended you, refusing to become the passive animal of a nincompoop. As to your continental adventures, anecdotes, and tory hunts I should like to be acquainted with them, and whether you marched in van or rear. This would be entertaining, being new-- as none of the American Biographers have done you the justice of handing down your fame, For how is it you take credit to yourself on this score, and refuse it to those whose services are imprinted on the hearts of their countrymen, those whose bodies bear testimony of their exertions-? As to the rights of man and all that, they are oftener expressed than respected; but to their rights, and not their wrongs, I can tell you I am as great a friend as you are. yet not a thorough going democrat- I can "give the devil his due:" That is, give to every man, whatever his prejudices may be, credit for a good action flowing from worthy motives; and although a man may differ from me in his opinion of men, in the line of their conduct, I am not hardy enough to charge him with baseness, toryism, &c: but this is the general resort of prejudice, the bug-bear standard. I will ask the gentleman wherein "Subscriber" was guilty of falsehood? I request him to point out the particular iota. I presume it will be in my power to substantiate what I have advanced, and what appears so grating to the gentleman's feelings. by detailing the proceedings through all their windings. I am possessed of the materials, and were I a "Hudibras," I should reap the advantages, as I am confident it would surpass the precious (rights of man) militia bill. To conclude, let me tell the gentleman, had he always been as ready to publish what he has wrote, he would not now be the confidant and eulogist of the Colonel--But, oh! flattery.. oh! vanity, sweet baits, what cannot thou accomplish.

A SUBSCRIBER.