―378―

Art. L.

An Answer to Alexander Hamilton's
Letter concerning the Public Con-
duct and Character of John Adams,
Esq. President of the United States.
By a Citizen of New-York. 8vo.
pp. 32. New-York. Johnson and
Stryker. 1800.

IT was to be expected that the
publication of Mr. Hamilton
would call forth the replies and
animadversions of his friends and
foes, political and personal, as well
as of those of Mr. Adams. The
present “Answer” appears to be
dictated by a spirit not entitled to
respect, for its regard either to can-
dour, impartiality, or truth. Mr.
H. is charged as being governed by
the most depraved and boundless
ambition, and the meanest and most
pernicious passions. The mind of
a candid reader, on either side of
the great political question which

now agitates the public, can feel
little pleasure in the extravagant
effusions of pure party spirit.

This writer, in his views of the
French revolution, goes beyond
some of its earliest and most en-
lightened advocates. What must
the reader think of the correctness
and soundness of the judgment of
the author of such sentiments as the
following?

“The plains of Europe are whitened
with the bones of innocent and guilty
millions. The fatherless and the mother-
less are bewailing their loss in this san-
guinary war; but yet the purchase is cheap.
Providence has authorised it, and ages
of happiness and misery [liberty] are des-
tined to succeed to centuries of misery,
depression and servitude.”

“Furnish an instance in which the re-
volutionary government of France has-
departed from any solemn stipulation
with her neighbours. Has she violated
the laws of nations in that gross and dis-
honourable way that distinguishes the
cabinet of St. James? Has she made
power the measure of her justice, and the
umpire of her differences? Has she re-
spected [violated] the rights of huma-
nity, or offered an insult without the
strongest provocations? No! ever mag-
nanimous, the fair and immutable principles
of justice have been the faithful guar-
dians of her conduct.”