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tions 5 and many citizen? cue there of our country, who rove through the world, seeking that employment which the restrictive policy robs them of.— Does not the high spirit of American Freemen disapprove it, and if founded ou justice, demand for it, war, if not call aloud for its desertion ? Free, unreserved Liberty to com merce, is the only honorable means, which consults the true interests of the country, of relieving it from the measure under which it now groans, in the present disgraceful state of foreign relations. THE events transpiring in the Northern States are highly important. Both Massachusetts and New-York, lately favorable to the policy of admi nistration, will now he arrayed against it. The elections in the first, prove a radical change in the sentiments and opinion of the people; they were de ceived, and reflection has restored their intelligent discernment.; the plot of Henry, and other electioneering tricks, only served to awaken and arouse them to a perception of their true interests ; the rays of the eastern sun have restored the light of day, and the glodm of democratic night is rapid ly dispelling. The bank question in the other state, may he considered a correct test of her political determina tion ; a large majority of her inhabi tants, through their representation are favorable to it; Governor Tompkins, in subserviency to views of administra tion opposed it, and prorogued the le gislature ; the policy and measures of Madison are there denounced as inju rious to her interests, and paralysing to her resources, and a president who would consult the one, and nourish the other, has been determined to he sup ported ; and lie who is named to re ceive her voice, is He W itt Clinton. Thus two leading and influeneial states, are withdrawn from the demo cratic ranks, and will raise the banner of opposition to the ruinous and false jw!icy of ft.'iojliiiairulloii. r f)*e pre tended war, perhaps delayed to ascer tain the event of eastern elections, and the policy of New-York, may now be considered as abandoned, at least till the presidential election is decided, since the voice of so respectable a por tion of the Union is opposed to it; or rather it may he considered as a kind f trick, to itntuee the well meaning to rally around an administration without talents or ability to conduct it, but which carried with it such evident marks of deception and insincerity as to have entirely failed. The general character for intelli gence in the Northern States is un questioned, and to perceive in them a simultaneous impulse to abandon the boasted commercial restrictions, after many years distressing operation, and to pronounce the whole system impo tent and ruinous, by directly support ing an opposite course, argurs favor ably for our ruined commerce. Hie renovation ? this branch of industry and enterprise, is indispensable for the prosperity and honor of ti e country, for its ramifications are so extensive cs to affect the remotest individual, and to leave it a defenceless prey or draw it in the shell, instead of main taining and protecting it, is not dig nified retirement,” but cowardly pusil lanimity. Although the novelty of experiment, and the arts ol delusion, for a time misled an unsuspecting and patriotic people, yet the lessons of ex perience have at length taught them to distrust impostors, and they have accordingly withdrawn their confi dence. The New-Hampshirc election has also terminated favorably; the current.is strong and rapid, and will lead to happy consequences : the east ern instead of the western states will now control a wavering administra tion. For the American Patriot. THE Libehty of the Press, and the Liberty of the People, are indisso lubly connected. Tyranny must either fetter or awe the press into silence before it ean reduce the people to ser vitude. The liberty of the press is guaranteed by our constitution, and it must and v, ill be exercised [notwith standing the despicable threats of its more despicable foes] while a drop of blood circulates in the bosom of a free man. “ Establish,” says Sheridan, “ a free press in Turkey,” and you would immediately transfuse into that country a degree of freedom ; you would powerfully counteract the spi rit of despotism, if not subvert the throne of the despot. It would shed a ray of liberty, on even the darkest regions of slavery.” But to the con sideration of those with w hom Eng lish authorities, however respectable, have no weight, vve offer the follow ing remarks of Petian, delivered in the constituent assembly, at the com mencement of the French revolution. A Frenchman and republican he must be heard with respect; a patriot phi losopher and statesman, he may be listened to with conviction, bv those who blindly endeavor to place the press under the control of a deluded mob. Though he had been frequently abused in printed libels, yet he still contended firmly for the free circula tion of opinions ! “ What liiore powerful, or more cer tain means, can be adopted” said he “ in order to cnerease knowledge, than the Liberty of ti e Press ? It is a sublime invention, vvhich makes the ideas of one man common to all; which converts them info a patrimony for every nation ; which has already so prodigiously extended the sphere of our comprehension, removed the bar riers of the human mind, and undoubt edly is prepaiing new prodigies for poteritv.” The Liberty of the Press makes the arts and sciences flourish, and gives anew life to all the social insti tutions ; by its means errors are dis sipated, prejudices are chased away, opinions struggle with opinions, and after a combat in which they become refined and purified, truth at length < iuinplis. “ The Liberty of 11* Press elevates the mind, gives energy to talents, and develops and displays genius. “ The Liberty of tic Press is the ‘d of political t nd civil liberty. Nothing hr, c.npply of this species of public censure ; it watches while the Into sleeps; it restrains when the law cannot repress ; it denounces to the public opinion, what the laic cannot denowrice to the courts of justice. “ The Liberty of the Fress, and (he slavery of nations are incompatible.” Those who minister in this Temple of Freedom, have an high, a sacred duly to perform, The performance of this duty may sometimes be accompa nied with danger, hut never can be de void of honor. Reliance may safely be placed on the cordial support, of all good citizens, who must view in a violation of the Liberty of the Press, a direct attack upon their own. A Free Press is the organ of the public will, and the guardian of the public rights. It must and will, if ij shrinks not from its duty, expose the errors and denounce the abuses of* go vernment ; it must sound the tocsin and mingle in the conflict When liberty is invaded. It must watch with the eyes of Argus, and contend with the intrepidity of Hercules. Another Py thon most be vanquished, and a new’ race cf monsters subdued. Who are the enemies of a Free Press i Is it for those who have strug gled in vain for Liberty in their own country, and have been welcomed to ours, to oppose it, and sting like a serpent, the besom that cherishes them r Is it for those who justly exclaim a gainst the corruption of England, de plore the slavery of* France, and weep with Emett over the miseries of Ire land, to contradict the first and noblest impulses of their nature, and give a vital blow to public Liberty, by assail ing that of the Press ? No! they will defend it with firmness and intrepidity and I will add with zeal and with honor. They will stand around it, with the best of our citizens ; a w all of fir* unextinguishable and invulne rable. Its enemies therefore, must he those who are conscious that their mo tives will jtot bear disclosure, their po licy a free examination, their mea sures discussion, their “ deeds the light.” They must be the enemies of mir country, and of all Liberty. Hut whoever nmv be its enemies, whether Jew or Gentile, whoever its friends, it is a constitutional right, and will be exercised while that constitution re mains. ft cannot be invaded or relin quish: and without imminent danger to liberty; and, “ sains populi suprenm lex esf,” to preserve freedom is the first law and highest duty of both citi zen and magistrate. DION. [The following interesting narrative, contains a plain statement of facts, and places the Amelia concern in its true light. We are promised copies of documents, which will prove to the world the port taken by con spicuous actors in tb’s infamous business’ and further elucidate it.] To the E.Utors of the American Patriot. AMELIA, April 23, 1812. Gentlemen, THE Patriots have had a revolution in their camp, and degraded Colonel Ashley, and Major Cook, ap pointing as Commander in Chief, Ge neral MHntosliof the Georgia Militia. There has been no attack yet made on St. Augustine, and it is supposed they intend to turn the seige into a blockade It is to be hoped that General Mat thews will now see that he has been deceived, if he ever thought, the inha bitants of Florida were, to a man, dis posed to join in flic rebellion, as they have been opposed wherever the least opposition eould be made, and the ma jor part of the inhabitants have hc-en forced into the measure by threats of confiscation of property, hut the inno cent and guilty arc now equally in volved and must go through with it £ they will be ruined if unsuccessful, which is probable, as, should the United States disavow the act of their commission, anil withdraw their troops these unfortunate people must fly the country, with such part of their pro perty as they can carry with them, and on the other hand should the gar rison of St. Augustine receive rein* forcements, they will attack and drive the Revolutionists out of the province. The government of the United States has much to answer for, and should they ever disavow the act, their firm est supporters must acknowledge them highly reprehensible for having ap pointed such a man as General Mat thews, who has converted a flourishing country into a wilderness. This man has been employed for twelve months past, in seducing the subjects of If. C. M. from tbeir allegiance, in which he has been assisted by J. H. M‘lntosh, a restless man, without however any portion of the spirit requisite for such an undeitalfeug; after much persua sion the latter induced Lodoviek Ash ley, an ignorant man, whose character has already been given in the Charles ton Courier, George Cook, formerly confined in the Fort of St. Augustine for rebellion, and two or three charac ters of minor value, to join ?h tlic en terprize, and to induce the citizens of the United States to engage in it, a bounty of five hundred acres of land was offered to the lower classes, while it. was held out to the higher, that the inhabitants of Florida were to a man anxious for the change, and the gov ernment of the United States were principals in and would give effectual assistance; —while such language as this was held out to deceive those who should base known better, it was roundly asserted by the worthy Gene ral Matthews that the United States had no concern in the transaction and would not interfere, [as will appear hereafter in the documents relative to transactions at Amelia.] To insure suceess to (he enterprize, it was pro posed to send a company of the United States Rifle Corps in disguise, from Pudia, to seize the Governor of St. Augustine, and get possession of the Fot in the night, and these men were to be guided by Dr. J. Hall [formerly a subject of the province l.ut expelled some time since] while the sui disant Patriots passed over to take possession of Amelia, The very honorable eon duct of Major Laval frustrat *d the in famous attempt against St Augustine, and the unexpected resistance at Ame lia, obliged the General to order the gun-hoats of the United States to an chor abreast of that defenceless place, in a menacing attitude, and three guns being fired by the Commodore, the Re volutionists embarked at Lowes and got peaceable possession of the Island, and in rather less than twenty-four hours it was surrendered to George Matthews, Esq. Commissioner of the United States. The. Revolutionists have since been employed in beseiging St. Augustine, that is, faxing xvithin four or five miles of it, and keeping out r.f the range of their gnus, there force consists by their own account of about 380 men of xvhom four-fifths are citizens of the United States and their Commander, General M’liitosh, u citi zen and officer of the Georgia Militia, arrived from thence about ten days ago. This is a hasty liuf correct state ment of tlie so called Florida revolu tion, hut which honest men will he apt to denominate an invasion fly the United States, as the mask is thrown off; ami the ostensible actors displaced for an American general. Will not the honorable part of your citizens blush for their country ? xvhfcti they hear that General Commissioner Mat thews with a body of* United States troops , follows these men to receive sncli part of the country as they can seize without opposition; xiili it not calf to mind the days of Robespierre, of revolutionary France, when com missioners were sent by the Conven tion to fraternize, that is, to subvert, to destroy a!! regular governments. The writer will feel much regret should he unintentionally have given offence to Mr. Matthews by attaching to his name the word General without hue „ bonce the worthy Com, missioner received that rank, hoi he conceived it. a respectful mode of speaking or w riting of so great a man, and used ii. oi the same manner as he would in addressing the Secretarx’ of the Embassy say, Colonel Isaacs, w ith out even knowing who that man is or from whence he t ame, although he has heard, from the Northern States, if so, the friends of*Mr. Isaacs will acknow ledge that he lias “ Played his cards well.” gCT’ You will please observe Mr. Editors that this is only a fignrstixe mode of xvriting, and does not at all allude to the vile practice of gambling. Your Obedient Servant, A Native of Florida. ammmmrmmnßtao'^itmaxaztmmrTmrprwr.iszmxiax MARINE NEWS, V 6 R T OF SA V ANNA If High Water Thin Ray, 12h. lfm. ARRIVED, Brig Sally Barker, Hall, Boston 12 ds J. Hat telle CLEARED, Ship Murmer, Aimihani, Boston. Columbia, Stevens Wisrasset Sloop Concord, Kempton, Philadelphia. The brig Champlin, captain Donne, from Nexv-Yorl, with a pilot on board, got ashore, coming into the river on Monday last. Part of her cargo is supposed to be damaged, and it is expected she will be got off without ma terial injury. A sloop, we are informed, tvas seen Yester day evening on Ihe breakers near the bar, in a very dangerous situation. KT M WANTED a Deck Freight for the Brig OROZIMBO, for New- York, to sail the first dax - of next week. DUNNING & CLAY. May 1. e *=r A DECK FREIGHT, for the Ship AMERICA, for Nexv- York, xvanted, apply to Capt. Hall. or R. RICHARDSON, & Cos. April 24 3t 4 Notice. THE subscribers; HAVE removed thsr OFFICE, from the Bay; to the south side of the block of buildings, belonging to the Estate of Hogg, a fexv doors east of the store of Messrs. Low and Wallace. PEIRCE &. DRYSDALE. May 1 2t ft Auction. THIS DAY, Ist May. At No. 3 Commerce Rou'\ Groceries & Dry Goods^ Sale to Commence precisely at ll o'clock. D. WILLIFORD. AucCr. May 1 Henry W. Iliils, No 8, Commerce Row. has for sale, 10 Hhds. Boston Rum, 3 do. Old high 4th Proof Rum, 2 Pipes Brandy, 13 do. Maeella Madeira Wine, 2 Half Pipes Superior Madeira doi 3000 lh. Buck Shot, too Boxes Mould Candles, tl Bales Calcutta Piece Goods. .10 Cases Wool Hats, 2.-1 Pieces Russia and Ravens Duck I Writing Paper, Almunds, Travel ling, House and Faney Trunks. May 1. at (i FOR BOSTON, The Brig SALLY BVRKfefij AHbWs Joshua Hall, Master will, sail in r> or ft days, having mu- half her freight engaged, for the balance] or passage, apply f ( (be Master, of ‘<> J- BATTKLLE. mo Offers For Sale, 100 Casks Lime, Which x\ill be sold low if lakeii immediately from on board. May 1 fi At Private Sale, 10 Hhds. Fairview Gin, 13 do. and 20 bids. Whiskey, 3 Pipes India Point Gin, 2 do. Spanish Brandy, 1 Pipe and 2 bids. Freiteh do. 4 Hhds. high flavored 4th proof •turn, 4 do. and 5 hbl.U N. K. R um . 2.) Bbls. Philadelphia Beer [fresh | 10 do. Shrub, 3 I ipes Madeira V ine, to Hhds. and 3 bids. MuseovaiW Sugar, 12 Chests Hyson Tea, 20 Bags Coffee, —o do. Liaeiv Pepper, 50 Boxes Soap and Candles, Id do. Chocolate, to Bids, prime Beef, s.i Kegs Manufactured Tobacco, 0 f I lids. Glass W are, 5 Boxes Cotton Cards, No. 8, too Pieces liiimhums, 20 Pieces Cotton Baggirig, 30 do. Toiv Cloth, ‘ to do. Ticklenburgs, 30 Reams. Writing Paper, 25 Colls White Rope, 3 Boxes Cotton Cards, 50 M. xvLite Chanel Needles, 1 Small Trunk Cutlery, Cassimcre, Calico, India Bed- Spreads, Handkerchiefs, &c. &e. D. WILLIFORD. May i fi Situation of England, Z,Y EIGIITEEN JHjjYDIt KO ELEVEN; JUST RECEIVED, From Ntrm-Earb, BY SEYMOUR & WILLIAMS, anew work translated from the French of* M. Mir De Mont (halliard, TUP. SITUATION OF ENGLAND IN 1811. Id we 8-0. Vat. u We ought to be apprehensive, that the mad pretentious, the tyranny and the cupi.lily of our ministers will one .lay open the eyes of’ali Europe. Let us enjoy xvith moderation our com mercial prosperity and not excite wars. If a great man should lie seated upon the throne of France, England would fall, and w ould he of ho more impor tance in the system of Europe, than the island of Sardinia, for Bankrupt cy is at the doorg.” Bolingbrolcc, 1732. April 1. 3t 6 Administrator’s Sale. YIIILL be sold, before tny store, TV ori FRIDAY, the 13th day of May, at the usual hour, all the person al property of Thomas Harrison, dec, consisting of Wearing Apparel, House hold and Kitchen Furniture. By or der Os the administrator. I). WILLIFORD, Av.r.fr. May 1 ft K Mrs. RAMSAY. A few Copies, for sale by HARRAL $ COPPER, Bolton i Centre Building, and at this Office. dT This work comes particulaily recommended to the pious, from iis interesting materials, adorned by the elegant pen of the celebrated” Dr Kamsat. April 14 *