The reflector. (Milledgeville, Ga.) 1817-1819, February 24, 1818, Image 1

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THE REFLECTOR. a» 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—