Today, Secretary of State Pickering again writes the U.S. district attorney for Pennsylvania, William Rawle:
Since I saw you this morning on the subject of the letters of the British minister, seized & broken open in Bucks County in Pennsylvania, proposing that the offenders should be inquired for and prosecuted, I have received a letter from the President of the United States, directing such an investigation & prosecution.
For this purpose, I inclose [the Aurora] … published on Saturday (not Friday), July 19th in which Mr. Liston’s letters are published. This suggests a further question, Whether the publisher ought not to be prosecuted? I beg you to consider whether he is liable …1833
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
It is well observed, by an elegant writer, “that the Grecians, while the Romans were in the course of their conquests, ceased not to praise their disinterestedness and regard them as the defenders of Liberty …” Rome, however, swallowed up Greece …
France is treading in the steps and pursuing the policy of ancient Rome. The Democrats of the United States, like the Democrats of Greece, are lavish in their praise of France …
The Aurora expects to find the American people stupid enough to believe that the French … are not ambitious …
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Fenno amuses his readers with dry allusions to the lessons that he lately learned at school—these things are new in the lad’s memory … Fenno tells us that Rome swallowed up all the free states of Greece—but he either did not know or had not honesty enough to tell that they did not fall until they had grown corrupt … Liston could unravel volumes more extraordinary than history, Grecian or Roman, is acquainted with.
To asperse the memory of Dr. Franklin seems to have become part of the duty enjoined by their employers on the editors of our “federal” presses; the reasons are obvious … [T]hese men envy the spotless fame of the founder of American liberty …
It is unnecessary for us to enter into a refutation of the calumnies lately received … and industriously propagated respecting the conduct of Dr. Franklin in the negociations at Paris … The journals of the old Congress bear ample testimony to his fidelity and solicitude to promote the interests of his country; and it is from such unquestionable authority as these journals that the misrepresentation of his conduct … with a view of enhancing the merits of John Adams … have long since received a complete refutation.
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
The best guarantees of the security and honor of the United States … are a good army and navy … [H]ow then does it happen that an army and navy … still are opposed by the different tribes of Democrats?
These partizans of France do not relax, although their object has become visible … Some write common place Philippics against the army and navy … while Duane openly in his writings and orations encourages the brigands to prepare for a trial of strength, and embodies a corps of men, uniformed a la Francois.
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
AN ADDRESS TO THE GERMANS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY [PENNSYLVANIA] …
Is it possible that you would give your votes at the next election for James Ross to be your next governor..? …
Do you not know that the majority of your German fellow-citizens in our county, in Berks, Northampton, Bucks, Northumberland, and Montgomery, are almost unanimously against Ross and the sedition bill, and for M’Kean? …
[T]he time fast approaches when your eyes will be opened … The soldiery will be billeted at your dwellings; if they plunder you …, you must speak kindly of them; for if you say, write, or print any thing against it, you will be served according to the examples you have seen in Reading and Philadelphia. The heavy taxes that will necessarily follow to support these banditti will make you think …
“LET M’KEAN BE OUR GOVERNOR.”
Today, at midmorning, the U.S. marshal for the District of Pennsylvania once more enters the offices of the Philadelphia Aurora and arrests its editor for seditious libel against the government of the United States. He takes me before Judge Richard Peters, who gives me until Friday to obtain sureties for my appearance at trial.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Several anxious enquiries having been made concerning the Editor yesterday—and as he could not attend to them all and perform his duty at the same time—he is induced to satisfy them and inform the readers of the Aurora generally in this manner—that the Editor was yesterday between nine and ten o’clock arrested by John Nichols, esq., marshal of this district, upon a warrant from Judge Peters, and on behalf of the administration, for publishing in the Aurora of the 24th instant, certain matters alleged to be defamatory or untrue concerning the administration.
By the marshal he was treated in a gentlemanly manner—and by Judge Peters, he was politely allowed until Friday morning to bring forward securities. To those who are personally acquainted with the Editor, no declarations concerning his past or future conduct are necessary—to those who know him only as the organ of public sentiment—a trustee for the public to detect and expose public errors, and to promote the public good—he can give only these brief and steadfast assurances, that he has not published a fact that he cannot prove, and that neither persecution nor any other peril to which bad men may expose him, can make him swerve from the cause of republicanism—or prove himself unworthy to be the successor of the descendant of Franklin in whose steps it is pride and pleasure to tread, with the same confidence in his country and the laws …
BRITISH INFLUENCE …
During our own revolution, we had authorized our ministers in Europe, as Dr. Franklin and John Adams, to use their efforts to draw some of the European nations into the war against Great Britain. They succeeded in drawing in France & Holland … But before [these nations] had taken a share in the war, while they were neutrals, our agents distributed commissions under the authority of Congress to citizens of … France to cruize against the enemies of America.
When the French minister [Edmond] Genet came here [at the beginning of the war between Britain and France] and distributed a few commissions to American citizens to cruize against the common enemy of republicanism, the British minister blustered and threatened and [Washington] had the French minister very meekly recalled.
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
We are informed that the people concerned in publishing the Aurora were yesterday morning arrested for a gross and virulent libel upon the government of the United States, wherein they asserted that Great Britain distributed, in one year, 800,000 dollars secret service money amongst the officers of the federal Government.
Great wits jump, Bache, in the Aurora of the 29th, attempts to treat with ridicule … the Roman History which [has] been lately introduced into this Gazette to illustrate the designs of the French and shew that they, like the Romans, aim at nothing short of universal domination. “Fenno, (he says) amuses his readers with dry allusions to the lessons which he lately learned at school; these things are new in the Lad’s memory …” Bache, for this, and a thousand such strokes, deserves at least the credit of being true to the cause.
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette:
From the Connecticut Courant. HARTFORD, July 20 … [W]e … notice … an express or an implied approbation of the Alien and Sedition Laws … [T]here is, in many places, a direct and cordial approbation of them …
The only thing that is wanting to establish their complete popularity is a prompt and faithful execution of them. If several hundred intriguing, mischief making foreigners had been sent out of the country twelve months ago, and a few more Matthew Lyons had been shut up in prison for their seditious libels, we should not have had so many Duanes, Burkes, [New London] Bees, and a host of other villains filling the country with falsehoods, slanders, and factions …
THURSDAY, AUGUST
1, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
BRITISH INFLUENCE …
We have received from a person in Wilmington, Delaware, the following letters. Both the originals were seen there while COBBETT was waiting to know whether the British … bait for Secretary Jefferson would take him in.
[To THOMAS JEFFERSON, U.S Secretary of State]
Hague, August 6, 1792.
Dear Sir, Mr. Cobbett, who will deliver you this letter, is an English gentleman … A gentleman in the family of the English Ambassador here … asks [me] to give him a letter of introduction to some person in Philadelphia which may, from his first arrival there, shew him to be a man of worth and merit …
[U.S. Minister to The Hague] W. SHORT
[To THOMAS JEFFERSON, U.S. Secretary of State]
Wilmington, (Delaware State) November 2d, 1792
SIR … Ambitious to become the CITIZEN of a FREE state, I have left my native country, England, for America. I bring with me, youth, a small family, a few useful literary talents, and that is all. Should you have an opportunity of serving me, my conduct shall not shew me ungrateful …WM. COBBETT …
Upon these letters of the British printer we offer no other present comment than his subsequent declarations that he would not accept the citizenship of the United States …
Federal Electioneering Diplomacy
A country storekeeper not many miles from this city has had a letter sent to him containing a threat to burn his store unless he deposits a sum of money in a certain place by such a time. The writer tells him that he understands he is no friend to French principles, but that he (the letter writer) is … The storekeeper of course shews the letter to all his customers, and the honest people accordingly execrate the French …
It is remarkable that this circumstance has taken place in the neighborhood of Bustletown … Our remote readers should be acquainted also that Bustletown is the summer residence of [William] Cobbett, the printer to the British government, and who is so active in his canvass for Mr. Ross—!
The forgery of letters is no new British trick—a letter intimating a design on the part of some supposed French incendiaries that they meant to burn Philadelphia about two years ago—the letter was laid before the late Hillary Baker, then mayor of this city, the hand writing was known to be that of Porcupine—the matter was declared to be only a joke, the city remained unburnt, but such tricks as that of Bustletown occasion this being called out of oblivion.
Today, the President of the United States writes U.S. Secretary of State Timothy Pickering:
I have received your favor of the 24th of July, inclosing an Aurora of July 24th, imbued with rather more impudence than is common to that paper. Is there anything evil in the regions of actuality or possibility that the Aurora had not suggested of me? You may depend upon it, I disdain to attempt a vindication of myself against the lies of the Aurora, as much as any man concerned in the administration of the affairs of the United States. If Mr. Rawle does not think this newspaper libellous, he is not fit for his office and if does not prosecute it, he will not do his duty …
The matchless effrontery of this Duane merits the execution of the alien law. I am very willing to try its strength upon him.1834
Today, Timothy Pickering writes President John Adams:
The day before yesterday, I received … a letter concerning a publication by Thomas Cooper, an Englishman … addressed to the readers of the Sunbury and Northumberland Gazette on the 29th of June. This address has been republished in the Aurora of July 12th, which I now inclose …
Cooper was a barrister in England … and a warm opposition man … Cooper has taken care to get himself admitted to citizenship. I am sorry for it; for those who are desirous of maintaining our internal tranquillity must wish [him] … removed from the United States …
[W]aiting the expression of your will, I remain …
TIMOTHY PICKERING
P.S. A prosecution against Duane, editor of the Aurora, has been instituted on the charge of English secret-service money distributed in the United States; and I have desired Mr. Rawle to examine his newspaper and to institute new prosecutions as often as he offends. This, I hope, will meet with your approval.1835
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Fifty-one applications were made at this office since Tuesday morning to become security for the Editor of the Aurora in the prosecution lately set on foot by the men who are vexed about … British Influence ! Republicans of America, if you were all but as firm, the Boston Chronicle would not be bought up for prostitution, and American republican sentiments would triumph over British influence and monarchical doctrines.
Extract of a letter dated Easton [Northhampton County, Pennsylvania], July 30. A Captain Peter Falkner [of the federal army] who has been recruiting up this way … manifested the tyrannical disposition of the military … These military officers seem to consider themselves above all law but that of their own will. The people are generally discontented and an opinion prevails that it is intended to excite the people to resistance and violence in order to create a pretext for quartering troops in different places and finding employment for this detestable and useless army.
The Germans of Philadelphia who have so steadily and uniformly supported the cause of freedom must view with pleasure the change which has taken place among their countrymen in York county … and we have no doubt that their exertions will ensure the victory to the Republican cause.
Today, I appear with two sureties before Judge Richard Peters, who releases me pending trial in October (when the federal court reconvenes). It seems the trial John Adams planned for Benny Bache last October will be held for me a year later.
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States Jack Fenno announces:
The Editor of this Gazette, having received several letters expressing a desire to be ascertained of his intention to continue in his present occupation, takes this opportunity to mention that he has relinquished his design of declining it, and that the Gazette of the United States will still be continued as heretofore by
JOHN WARD FENNO
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
BRITISH INFLUENCE …
That British influence should be employed in America or British money is not so surprising … Would they scruple to corrupt abroad who are so abandoned to corruption at home?
Queries to be debated by the next meeting of the philosophical society of Philadelphia.
1st. Whether it is most commendable to knock down an independent honest news printer or to knock down his son?
2d. When thirty-six men have surrounded one, and when this one offers to fight the whole posse in succession, whether it is the greatest proof of bravery to accept of the one man’s challenge or to turn upon him, all in a body, beat him down, and kick him when lying senseless? …
4th. Whether does it shew the highest sense of honour, of delicacy, and of manhood, to menace the widow Bache or to employ the infamous printer of the British ambassador’s Gazette to write bawdry paragraphs against her?
Extract of a letter dated Richmond, [Virginia] July 24 … Mr. Meriwether Jones, a zealous republican, and who is otherwise a gentleman of a very popular character … set up a newspaper, viz. The [Richmond] Examiner, and, as his own health is a little impaired, he some months ago engaged Callender … to come down here and assist him …
In order to silence the Examiner’s battery, some desperadoes formed a plan for attacking the printing-office and seizing upon Callender. The report is that they were to drive him out of the city; but the most probable issue is that they would have murdered him. The scheme seemed so black that a person to whom it had been entrusted came and told it to one of the friends of Captain Jones on Monday afternoon, some hours before it was to have been put into execution …
A party of armed men remained upon guard before the office of the Examiner till twelve at night … The consp
irators had actually subscribed [to] a written agreement respecting this business. Undoubtedly they looked up to the government for protection and promotion, having before their eyes the impunity with which Duane was flogged … [W]hat kind of government must that be whose favour is courted by the collection of mobs and the perpetration of riots? …
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette, William Cobbett writes:
MOTHER BACHE.
This loving wife, who could pen a masculine address to the publick before her husband’s carcass was stiff; this modern matron who, in the first paper (which bore her own name at the head of it), rejoiced that the practice of “castrating boys” was abolished in Italy for the good of woman kind, published in her bawdy and prostituted Gazette of [Thursday] … barefaced and ridiculous lies …
Hillary Baker [the mayor of Philadelphia] not only never saw a letter of my forging, but he never saw a line of my writing, to my knowledge, in his whole lifetime. As to the threatening letter alluded to … such a letter has been received by a very respectable man about two miles from Bustleton; but Mother Bache is deceived if she imagines that people are to be persuaded that the letter was not actually sent by the Democratic faction with a view to alarming the Federalists of property and preventing them from exerting their influence, against the Scourge, M’KEAN. It is true I live at Bustleton, but, one Miles, M’Kean’s relation and one of his patrons, lives much nearer the person to whom the letter was sent than I do! …
American Aurora Page 89