Newspaper Page Text
THE REFLECTOR.
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fills, L
MILLEDGEVILLE, G. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1818.
NO. 16.
MISCELLANY.
roll TUB REFLECTOR.
Hines,—Believing it to bo the itipc-
[us dtily of every member of society, to
all the relief in his or her power to the
Khrfunate, 1 beg leave, through the medium
i jour interesting paper, to offer to the suf-
Li n » innocence, to whom the following is ad-
k'ssed, all th at consolation whirl) must arise
Inn a comparison of her case with mine.
TO FIDGETILLA.
read your communication in the Reflec-
of the 10th inst. with much interest and
^ling. My sympathy was not of the ordina-
■ grade, which is excited in the philanthro
pe brdast, by the mere relation of tales of
Ksappointmont and distress ; but it was that
find, which springs alone from a benevolent
part, under similar circumstances, which
one know, save us who have tasted the bit-
^r cup of disappointment.
If it be true, that
“ Man is not happy whilst he th inks
There breaths a happier than himself,”
know that other human beings arc mor<
happy (at least have cause to be) than
rsclvcs, must afford some alleviation to out
dividual woe.
You no doubt think your situation and that
some of your sex unparalleled by any io
r’s. Oh ! Sweet creature J you know lin
ing of the disappointments and unhapp
ure of us unwilling batchefors : I say lin
ing, for heaven knows we would have
ecu otherwise long since, had we met the
ust reward of our lawful exertions.
With a disposition naturally mild, lively
d benevolent, but timid and unassuming:
heart-unstained with supercilious pride aim
lustcre arrogance—open, generous and can-
ilid to ali, I thought evil of none; and hav
ing no disposition to deceive, I thought mine
uld deceive me. Thus 1 « sallied jocund
into life.” I too, was much flattered, by
Borne of my friends, for my personal beauty:
they also thought my intellectual capacity
such, as to warrant the expectation that at
future period, I might occupy some impor
tant station in society. But with all these,
was miserably deficient in the principal
ualilication which renders our sex most a-
reeable to your’s : “ The gift of the gab.”
never could entertain a group of females
Tor hours together with the lively and enter
taining conversation of some men, about—
nothing. I was not therefore a welcome
guest at tea parties, and such liko associa
lions of innocent enjoyment.
About the age of nineteen—that age of
outliful ardor, when the sensibility is alive
i every impression made by female charms,
friend, unmindful of the advice of Thomp-
n persuaded me to marry.—An object was
iroposed, whom he represented as being e-
very way calculated toconsumate my earthly
felicity. Such was the impression made on
my mind that it was only necessary to see
and love. This object of all my wishes, was
not personally ha - *,some, but possessed a
sound mind, and culti ted iderstandi ng.
My address was ardent, laconic and candid :
y suit prevailed—my affection, I thought,
was reciprocated, and my happiness, in this
ife, completed. Whilst 1 was speedily mak-
ng preparation for the approaching nuptials,
nd naught hut visions of exquisite bliss ilit-
;ed before my enraptured imagination, l was
ncxpectedly informed she had changed her
notion, and never wished to sco me again.
This “ abrupt turning in my course, had
well nigh jostled my reason from her throne”
and left me a miserable maniac for life.—
However, after a few days, iny spirits re
covered their wanted hilarity, and my mind
sustained no further injury. This adventure
gave me such an horrid idea of female sin
cerity, that no mastiff ever dreaded a petu
lant old cook, armed with a calabash of hot
water, more than I did their charms ; tlio’
1 did not seclude myself from their society,
>ut always treated them with the utmost at
tention and respect. After the lapse of se
veral years, still thinking a wife man’s chief
jood, I begaii seriously again, to think of
matrimony. I could now find many apolo
gies for tiie conduct of iny Daphme.—hav
ing fixed her attachment, 1 had not, proba
bly, used all that attention necessary to keep
t fixed—for women, it is said, roust be court
d even after marriage, if you would live in
eace with them. Like you, I determined
to be more fashionable, and to force myself
[into conversation with the fair. With this
view ( procured me a Waterloo, laced with
.rich .silk, which, not only « saved the corpo-
ation the expense of sweeping the streets,”
ut afforded me many opportunities, on a
indy day, to display iny agility in prevent-
ngtlie horizontal inclination of my body,
xcited by the graceful involutions of my
mat with my lower extremities.—To prove
hat my complexion was proof against solar
nfluence I procured an elegant beaver,
vith a brim just large enough to cover my
ye brows and one third of iny nose.—To
■ssist also, my visage, (which is a litte lank)
I pruned me a pair of whiskers, which won
derfully aided my scanty beaviT in shading
the. most depending pant of*my face. To
enable me to be more interesting in conver
sation, 1 read the Sorrows of Wcrter and
many other delicious novels, by the aid of
which, I learned to coin many interesting
and highly ludicrous stories of my own.—
JLVosessing a voice amply sullkicnt to sound
distinctly, (though not very harmoniously,)
the eight notes, or an octave, I would, some
times, so far forgo my natural timidity as to
sing for the amusement of the ladies. After
which, notwithstanding they would look at
each other and smile, as if they thought
something, whilst 1 was singing, they would
generally thank me when I was done; and I
shrewdly suspected it was because I was done..
riius arrayed and accomplished, my hopes
flattered me with better success in the next
attempt. It was not long before fortune
placed in my way as charming a piece of
mortality as ever contained a human soul.
She was truly “ formed in nature’s fairest
mould”. You must judge of her disposition
and sentiments from her treatment to me.
Measurably forgetting my previous discutn-
liture, 1 resolved on offering her my hand in
marriage :—But the recollection was not so
entirely erased, but what I dreaded the corn-
oicnceiuent. For hours would I set in her
company resolving every breath to begin ;
but my resolution would as often fail,
and my good intentions were wasted only in
anxious sighs. Circumstances at length so
pressed, that a declaration of my passion was
almost extorted from me. 1 soon believed it
reciprocal, and after some time proved it so,
by obtaining her promise to share with me
the happiness or misery of a connubial life.
Again were the most beatific scenes unfolded
to iny delighted fancy. Bat my enjoyment
was of short duration ; for after every thing
was arranged for the happy moment, when
I should unequivocally call her mine—on
visiting her, a few days previous, she begged
to he off, and let all that had passed go for
nothing.
Now, Miss, yourself being judge, whose
situation is the most deplorable ? You may
think me the silly dupe of artful coquctts ;
he it so—having, individually, experienced
nothing to the contrary, I might conclude
you are all so. Butl have no disposition t-
rail at the sex. Notwithstanding my just and
great cause of complaint, 1 still admire them
—hut I must confess, it is somewhat like the
experienced mouse did the powdered cat.
Tims, having given a plain and simple nar
rative of rny case, I must take leave of you
for the present. Hoping my friendship will
not he offered in vain, 1 subscribe myself,
Your unfortunate companion in woe,
A BATCHELOR OF NECESSITY.
M.llcdgevillc, Feb. 15.
destiny ; but there its power ceases—it^
impotent against the obligations providence
imposes on us. The husband which God
and you yourself gave me—the child whom
1 have borne in my bosom—comprise my ex
istence. I have shared a throne with tli^s
husband. 1 will partake with him exile aqjl
misfortune ; violence alone shall separate r^e
from him—But, O my king.; O my father !
I know your heart; your justice and the ci-
ccllence of your principles have been at ali
times on the subject of these domestic du
ties which should he respected by tlio prin
ces of your house. 1 do not as.i your majes
ty from affection to me, to make any chaqge
in that system of conduct which has been
adopted in conformity with the determination
of the most powerful princes of Europe; but
I throw myself at your feet to implore per
mission that my husband and myself may re
main near your person : hut O my lather ! if
that must not be, let us at least be restored
to your favor before we are removed to, a
foreign soil. It is only after having receiv
ed some proof your paternal love, thafc 1
can feel strength sutlicient to appear before
you. If we must go this very evcning*lct
os depart with the assurance of your affec-
tion and protection in a happier time. Our
misfortunes must have a period : policy will
not always command in respect to us, that
which is humiliating, nor delight in the ruin
and degradation of so many princes, acknosv
ledged in former treaties, and who have
been allied to tlio most ancient and illustri
ous houses of Europe. Is not their blood
mingled with our’s 1 Pardon me, my father
and iny sovereign : but condescend, by a
single word, to let me know that it has not
been received with displeasure.”
stowing on the infant the name of Lincoier,
lie adopted it into his family, and bus ever
since manifested the liveliest zc .1 tow rds it.
Letter written after the battle of Waterloo,
by the Queen of Westphalia to her father,
the king of Wirtemburg. [From sir Robert
Wilson’s recent publication, entitled “ A
Sketch of the military and political power
of Russia, in the year 181 r.]
‘•Sire and Father,—Your majesty request
ed me to descend this morning into your de
partment. For the first time in my life, I
declined the happiness of being in your pre
sence ; I knew the object of tiie interview ;
and fearing that my mind might not he suf-'
ticicntly collected, l have dared to take the
liberty of developing the motives of my con
duct, and making an appeal to your pater
nal affection. Your majesty knows the
whole truth. Yes, sire, the prince Jerome,
your son in law, my husband, and the father
of my child, is with me ! Yes, sire ! I have
withdrawn an instant from the palace of my
king, to succor the husband to whom my
life is attached. My thoughts have accom
panied him to the war—my care has preserv
ed him in a long and painful journey, where
his existence was often menaced. My arms
have embraced him in his misfortune with
more tenderness than even in the time of our
prosperity. The prince Jerome is not the
husband of my choice. I received him
from your own hand, when his house reign
ed over great kingdoms—when his head
wore a crown. Soon the sentiments of my
heart cherished, and confirmed the bonds
which your policy had commanded. Mar
riage and nature impose duties which are
not subject to the vicissitudes of fortune; I
know their extensive obligations, and i know
also howto fulfil them; l was a Queen—-I
am still a wife and a mother ! The change
of policy among princes, in overthrowing the
French empire, has also destroyed the
throne, on which your goodness, and the
prince my husband had seated me. We arc
obliged to submit to the force of circumstan
ces. The august Maria Louisa afforded me
a great example of resignation ! but our sit
uation is dissimilar, l’ublic interest may
command sacrifices of permanent duration,
or which may cease when the interests of a
new policy render other changes inevitable.
Although chance lias elevated us above the
generality of mankind, wo are much more
to be pitied. A variable will controls our
[The editor of the Reflector ,-igrtes with the writer in
the Savannah Republican under the signature of “ Anti-
Mulatto,” that language ought not to be attributed to a
man who never uttered it: and that it is no more than
the duty of those who misquote to rectify the mistake
when they possess the means.” This duty we now discharge
with pleasure, by publishing tiie following extract,
part of which appeared in the Rctlector of the 3d ills'.,
in a distorted and patched shape.]
“ What a frightful contrast to the enjoy
ments and anticipations of the wedded vir
tuous man !—No dark distrust, no searin
jealousy breaks in upon bis repose.—No o-
dious ailment corrodes his health, corrupts
his frame.—No disgrace attaches to his
habits.—No black reproach to sully his pos
thumous fame. He is not ashamed to avow
the object of liis passion. She is the orna
ment of his house, the soother of his cares,
the honorable mother of his lawful children
tiie centre of his wishes, the badge of Ins
honors His children—their birth never
crimsons his cheek—creates no gloomy pre
sentiments in his bosom. Ho views himself
the founder of illustrious families. In
country, like America, where talents ami
integrity are the pedestal of promotion, he
sees, in the vista of futurity, his offspring
holding tlio reins of the republic and the re
public guiding the destinies of worlds, lie
lives in conformity to the law of his conn
try ;—and dies in peace with man and his
Maker.
“ Such are the inducements to wcil—such
are the amaranthine chaplets that decorate
the brow of wedded love. Love !—sacred
he its name and revered its presence, when
it comes pure and spotless from the heart
In my early years, ere time had unstrunj
my sinews and bedimed my eyes, befon
manhood had held to my lips the cup of bit
ter care, while the sunshine oi boyhood was
around me—I witnessed the resistless power
of warmest affection ; but to me it was then
mysterious. I have seen those who had
been cradled in misfortune, who had been
nurtured in adversity, who had become, from
custom, restless as the waves of the sea,
and from mixing the dregs of society, per
haps vicious,—chained, by its mystic spell
to a spot that was pregnant with diseas
and teeming with dissipation :—there, have
I seen them fearlessly brave the pestilence
but shudder at deeds they before had be
held with indifference. Whilst in Jamaica
where vice is as demoralizing as tlio climate
is fatal, I have seen bosoms, that scarcely
dared to hope, covering as pure and as
dent aflame as ever warmed the soul, after
the earth had whirled through the fifth an
nual circle. Though there was no smile to
fail it, no hope to impart vigor to its imper
ishable glow, yet such was the effect of that
honest of passions, when hulfetted by indig
nity and beset with sorrow.”
Anecdote of Gen. Jackson.—At the bat
tle of Poliopekn, an infant was found pres
sed to the bosom of its lifeless mother.—
This circumstance heir.c made known to
Gen. Jackson, ho became interested for the
child, directed it to be brought to him and
sought to prevail on some of the Indian wo
men to take care of it.—They signified their
unwillingness to do so, and that insomuch
as all its relations had fallen in battle, they
would prefer killing it. The Gen. after
this disclosure determined that he would not
to entrust it with them, but become himseifthc
protector and guardian of the child. Bo
POLITICAL.
SPANISH AFFAIRS.
The folio wing letter from a gentleman at
Washington gives more real information into
the state of our affairs, than all the other arti
cles we have seen on the same subject. Wi>
place the most unbounded confidante in the
facts which are stated—the writer is notone
of those men who lightly hazards an assertion
—for his political principles, not only we, but
the citizens of Virginia have the greatest res
pect.—lie is no courtier; no bigotted suppor
ter of any administration—with how much
pleasure then do we understand from such a
man, who has never deceived us, (a man
who has so many opportunities of observa
tion, a man who unites firmness of Conduct
with coolness of decision,) that all our im
pressions about the views of the present ad
ministration arc prcfcctly correct—that they
are at heart and in sincerity the friends of
the patriots of South America—brawlers
and newspaper snarlers to tiie contrary not
withstanding.
One remark thrown out by the writer of
the following letter, prompts us to say that
this appears to be the most seasonable mo
ment for demanding justice of Spain—and
for putting an end to all the evasions,and sub
tleties of M. Ccvallos, Don Onis and tiie
whole race of diplomatists and cqnivocatoi’s.
The case of an American consul confined by
order of the Spanish government, if there
were no other festering cause of complaint,
sufficient to rouse the blood of every
American. The enviable declaration of
lam an American citizen,’ so eloquently
quoted by Gen. Gaines in his late dispatch—«
of what avail will it he in the ears of foreign
nations, if it can he thus so long and so
completely disregaded in the case of an Aificr.
rican consul ?—Richmond Enq.
Washington, Feb. 1.—In a few days we
may expect a communication from theexecu-
tive in answer to a resolution submitted by
Mr. Robertson of Louisiana, calling l'or in
formation on the subject of our negotiations
with Spain. In the mean time I proceed to
communicate to you such information as I
possess. 1st. So far as respects our relations
with Spain—All the old subjects, viz. boun
dary, spoliations, Ac. remain in statu quo.
When urged latterly-on this subject, it is un
derstood that Spain has proposed the media
tion of foreign powers. Since taking pos
session of Amelia Island, it is generally be
lieved that negotiations have been renewed
with the Spanish minister here. They will
probably terminate like those which have
heretofore been attempted. I do not myself
consider it very important for the United
States to urge an adjustment at present of
differences so long existing, to such a point
as to produce war with Spain, or a collision
on her account, with any foreign power.
On the subject of Galvezton and Amelia
Island, I understood on my arrival here,
that these establishments were, used by per
sons deriving nu legal authority from any ex
isting government for purposes injurious to
the United States : That Spain was not in
a situation to prevent these establishments
within her territory: That the commerce
of the United States had suffered greatly,
and that orders had been given for suppress,
ing them. The measure was not consider
ed as of a hostile character towards Spain,
and the persons in possession of Amelia and
Galvezton were considered as having no
claim to the title of Mexican patriots.—
They were in fact considered as pirates. No
intention 1 presume at that time existed on
the part of the administration of doing more
than suppressing the establishments and
keeping up a naval force in the gulf with a
view to protect our commerce from future
depredation.
As to the intentions ami views of the ad-
ministration in relation to the Spanish patri
ots, I have no doubt of their being entirely
friendly to their cause and willing to promote
it by any means short of war. It is, I believe,
with them as with the rest of the community,
a subject of regret that our information as to
the Mexican patriots is of a character too
limited to make it tlio basis of any course,
which, if guided only by feeling, either the
legislative or the executive department of
the government might he disposed tfi pursue.
The idle clamor levelled at the administra
tion by some of the newspapers of taking
part with Spain against the patriots, is not
only unjust, hut totally unfounded. The
want of correct information on this subject
caused the appointment in an informal man
ner of commissioners, who might ascertain
the real situation of the South American pa
triots and enable the administration to pur
sue the couree which a just regard to our own
interests and a due regard to their rights
might demand—The measure may result in
the acknowledgment of their minister here.
It may evince the correctness of the course
already pursued,and cause its continuance—