confessed, that the spirit of party prevails in the American papers, over every thing else. We are sorry for it, for the sake of the people; but we would much rather see the spirit of party prevail than no spirit at all. The violence of the American factions does, indeed, disturb the peace and happiness of the community; but we much question, if it be more dangerous, in its ultimate tendency, than the despicable frivolity of this effeminate metropolis. For our parts, we must confess, that we would rather hear the rattling of the cudgels at an election, than the sentimental sobbing at a modern comedy. 4 We have, since our last Number went to the press, received complete files of our American papers, down to the 21st of February. The only news of importance which they contain, is, that of the final election of JEFFERSON, as President of the United States. We shall give the extraordinary history of this election in the very words that are made use of by the American Editors.-It exhibits a striking proof of the blessings resulting from Republican Government and Written Constitu tions. WASHINGTON, FEB. 12. 2 o'Clock, P. M. We waited all yesterday in the hourly expectation of being able to announce to our anxious countrymen, the result of the Presidential Election, but it remains to this moment undecided; and the happiness of five millions of people awfully suspended in the balance ! The crisis is momentous, and calls for a superior portion of fortitude and perseverance! VOL. XII. N Το To the Federal Republicans of the House of Representatives, the most sincere and well tried friends of the Constitution it is given, by a manly adherence to principle, to secure its duration to ages or by a disgraceful prostration of character, a wanton disregard of prudence, and a shameful sacrifice of duty, to commit it to the hazardous hands of a foe. Unworthy will he be, and consecrate his name to infamy, who, with a view to the permanency of our political system, has hitherto strenuously opposed the exaltation of Mr. Jefferson to the Presidential chair; shall now, meanly and inconsistently, lend his aid to promote it. Such conduct would be dishonourable in the extreme. Such conduct, therefore, cannot possibly characterize the Federal Party. Will they confer upon Mr. Jefferson the Federal Suffrage in reward for the calumnies he has indiscriminately cast upon the federal character or will they remunerate him with the most dignified office of Government, in return for the very honourable epithets of pandars to the whore of England, "timid men, office hunters, monarchists, speculators," and plunderers, which he has missed no opportunity to bestow on them? Surely not! The Federal Republicans profess to be disciples of the old school, and we trust that the lex talionis is neither obsolete nor forgotten. But say the bold and impetuous partisans of Mr. Jefferson, and that too in the teeth of the assembled Congress of America: "Dare to designate any Officer whatever, even temporarily, to administer the Government, in the event of a non-agreement on the part of the House of Representatives, and we will march and dethrone him as an Usurper. Dare (in fact) to exercise the right of opinion, and place in the presidential chair any other than the philosopher of Monticello, and ten thousand republican swords will instantly leap from their scabbards, in defence of the violated rights of the people!!!" Can our countrymen be caught by so flimsy a pretext? Can it possibly interest either their feelings or their judgment? Are they then ripe for civil war, and ready to imbrue their hands in kindred blood? If the tumultuous meetings of a set of factious foreigners in Pennsylvania, or a few* fighting bacchanals of Virginia, mean the people, and are to dictate to the Congress of the United States whom to elect as President-If the constitutional rights of this body are so soon to become the prey of anarchy and faction-if we have already arrived at that disastrous period in the life of nations," when 56 liberty consists in no longer reverencing either "the law or the authorities"-if, in short, the scenes which sadden the history of the elective monarchies of Europe are so soon to be re-acted in America, it would be prudent to prepare at once for the contest; the woeful experiment, if tried at all, could never be tried at a more favourable conjuncture ! * See an account of a Democratic Feast, graced by the presence of Gov. Munroe, and published in a late Number of the Examiner, with a song adapted to the occasion. See also the intemperate counsel of a certain would be Attorney-General of the United States (George Hay, Esq. of the ancient dominion) contained in the same piper, under the signature of Hortensius, and addressed to Gen Marshall, in consequence of a lie fabricated against him, relative to an opinion said to have been given by him upon the late Presidential Election, which the Honourable Attorney knew to be a lie as well as we did, but was fearful of being forgot, and despaired of getting a better opportunity to shew himself!!! With the militia of Massachusetts, consisting of 70,000 (regular let us call them) in arms-with those of New-Hampshire, and Connecticut united almost to a man, with half the number at least of the citizens of eleven other states, ranged under the federal banner in support of the Constitution; what could Pennsylvania, aided by Virginia-the militia of the latter untrained and farcically performing the manual exercise with corn-stalks instead of muskets; burthened besides with a formidable internal foe, whose disposition has been recently shewn not in very agreeable colours-foe too, in a contest against whom, Mr. Jefferson declares, "the Almighty has no attribute which could in"duce him to take part"-what may it be asked, would be the issue of the struggle? Let those madmen reflect on these things, let them forbear their menaces-let them respect the decision of the constituted authorities. The House of Representatives have balloted upwards of 30 times, and adjourned till tomorrow, 11 o'clock. From the National Intelligencer. FEB. 12, quarter past 2 o'clock, A. M. 21 ballots. -Result still the same. for On the first ballot, the individual votes were, † According to Dr. Morse, the New-England States are able to raise 164,600 fighting men. Connec The individual votes on the succeeding ballots have occasionally fluctuated, without changing the result. Eight ballots were taken previously to four o'clock, P. M. yesterday, all of which gave the same result, when the House adjourned for one hour-when, being again resumed, 27 ballots were taken previously to seven o'clock on this morning, all of which gave the same result. The House are still in session. It follows that as yet there is no election. We stop the press to announce that at 9 A. M, Feb. 12, the House adjourned to 12 o'clock, without producing any other result, Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman at Washington, dated 12th Feb. 1801.. "The House of Representatives did not break up until sunrise this morning-during which time * Mr. Sumpter sick. + Mr. Jones dead. they |