Daily National Intelligencer

MR. HARPER'S LETTER

The following disgraceful letter is copied from the Baltimore Patriot of Monday.— The editors of that paper say, " A correspondent has transmitted to us the following letter, from ROBERT GOODLOE HARPER to GEORGE BAER [member of Congress elect] of Frederick. The original, which appears never to have been sealed, and therefore to have been sent by some confidential person who unluckily [luckily] dropped, it is in the possession of the editors of the Patriot, and may be seen by any respectable federalist or republican." Upon the character and spirit of this production comment would be wasted.

THE LETTER.

" Baltimore, Oct. 10th, 1814.

" I congratulate you, most sincerely, my dear sir, on the good news contained in your letter, which is still more gratifying from the knowledge that we have done so well in the other counties. You will have seen the returns from them before this reaches you. We have two-thirds of the House of Delegates. and a majority of more than 20 on joint ballot.—Laus Deo.

" The object of our commissioners, in sending home the Adams. I have no doubt is to obtain new instructions.— From the Regent's proclamation, recalling British subjects, his speech to parliament, and the address of the house of commons to him, I think it clear that the British government have taken their stand on this ground: that as we began the war to drive them from their doctrine of perpetual allegiance, and their RIGHT of impressment, they must have those points settled before they lay down their arms, and will not be content with our merely waiving our CLAIMS. To this effect I presume their commissioners were instructed. Ours had no instructions to do more than waive those claims. Even to that extent ours were not authorised to go, till our government was informed, by the arrival of the French frigate " Olivier." of the dethronement of Bonaparte. Till then, they had no intention to make peace, but then they saw that the game was over, and accordingly by the return of that vessel sent instructions to the commissioners to waive the whole claim about impressment, in hopes that they might get off on those terms. They have learnt by this arrival, I believe, that more is expected from them, and therefore have sent home for new instructions. necessary, and they must do it. It will be a bitter pill for Mr. Madison to acknowledge the British Right or Impressment, and their doctrine of perpetual allegiance; BUT HE MUST SWALLOW IT. He will squall and kick, and make wry faces, BUT DOWN IT MUST GO. The thing is RIGHT IN ITSELF, and though disgraceful to him, not in the least dishonorable to the nation! The British doctrine on the subject of impressment and allegiance is CLEAR and UNDENIABLE, nor would it ever have been denied by our government had they not been seeking a pretext for quarrel with Great Britain. To compel them now to "eat their words," is an act of RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE, AT WHICH ALL MEN OF SENSE AND HONOR MUST REJOICE.

I am, my dear sir, very truly, your friend and servant,

ROB. G. HARPER.

George Baer, Esq."

Mr. Harper expressly avows the above to be his letter, and attempts to justify its sentiments. People of Maryland, what think you of this?

Edit. Patriot.