Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

MISCELLANY.

Council from the Aged.

[We have authority to say, that the following letter is from Gen. Heath of Roxbury, the Revolutionary Patriot of '75, and ever since, he firm and consistent friend of American Independence, in answer to one from the Hon Mr. Seaver. M. C. The P. S. is understood to relate to two pamphlets from the same person, recommending the re-election of Mr. Madison.]-Boston Gaz.

Extract of a letter from an old republican in Massachusetts, to a member of Congress, dated the 8th of December, 1812.

" You say my friends feel mortified, in seeing my name on the federal ticket, for Electors. The ticket on which my name was placed was supported by many of the firmest republicans, I know, if length of time and undeviating conduct, are admitted in evidence-The Ticket was denominated the Peace Ticket, excluding the name of either Republican or Federal; the approbation of it was astonishing, and probably will be more so. Considerate men of both parties are agreed that the violence of party spirit threatens our country with ruin, and that a union must be effected. You as well as myself have asserted, that a large portion of those called federalists, are as much attached to the welfare of our country, and the genuine principles of Republicanism as we are. How important then, to unite the honest and well meaning of both parties.-That is now the object, and it will succeed Heretofore the republicans have not held out the hand of union to the federalists ; and when honest federalists have sincerely made an attempt to do it, over heated party men have exclaimed, that it was'a federal trick. -You will recollect more than one instance of this. But it is now well understood, and has lost its force. The steady part of the community have commenced thinking for themselves, and they will act for their own true interest. The appellation of republican and federalist, which has for some time been used as a kind of common seal, for party purposes, will give way a condensed appellation, honorable and appropriate. The sole object the peace honor and prosperity of our common country, the preservation of the union, and constitution of the United States.

"You say peace is within our reach," this I fully believe, and that it might have been secured ere this time-Peace, not a peace of submission, but an honorable just and equitable peace, resting upon magnanimous, dignified, national principles, modified to existing circumstances. There is no such thing, as disinterested, national friendship, nor will treaties continue to bind, further than they are reciprocally their interesting The ocean, is the common field, or great high way of nations, on which all who wish to improve have an equal right and bear their national sovereignty where they traverse But this vast common domain, is not without law, it is within the universal code. Some ardent people will tell you, that on this element, the flag is to protect whatever may be under it. A freeman's house is said to be his castle, and not to be searched or molested. But if he receive stolen goods, or conceal a felon, is it too sacred to be entered ? Will not Great Britain cease to impress our seamen into her service, if we will not take hers into ours? A correct, honorable, and justly modified treaty will remove the difficulty : without it, a war on that account, may be of long duration. The cause, the remedy, and the issue, may be well examined and solved, if men would exercise a sound and unbiased judgement, and calculate for the meridian of our true honor, interest and prosperity.

The people will cheerfully risk their lives, and spend their fortunes, for the protection of their own seamen, and in defence of their sovereignty and independence. Ought they to risk them to protect foreigners who enter on board our vessels against their own government? Does national honor, interest, or prosperity require it ? Is it essential to either of them ? But if we must have war, let its operations be of a proper character, not farcical, which can scarcely claim the name of campaign. What has been our last, except the brilliant naval actions, to compensate for the thousands of dollars which have been expended ? Has it not lessened the opinion of our opponent, of our military skill; removed confidence in our protection ; replenished their arsenals with our arms ; given them spirit. and rendered conquest more difficult and hazardous ? Is this the art of war ?' The sense of the people of this part of the Eastern section of the United States has been expressed in favor of peace, by a majority of 24,000 This was necessary to correct erroneous assertions, that the Eastern States were in favour of war. I ardently hope that an honorable, just, and equitable peace will be effected before the close of your present session.'

P s. " Since writing the foregoing. I have been honored with yours of the 18.h & 25:h, mentioning young Mr. . and covering two pamphlets-accept my thanks for the three favors. I have long been acquainted with the arts of intrigue, both foreign and domestic. You know, that my republicanism, and patriotism are too firm to be shaken. That altho' grown an old man, I have not yet lost my political or military ken, nor shall they be idle. Old birds can not be caught with chaff, especially by our modern fowlers"