Let your Priests say what they will of the French Republicans and of Napoleon, the world are witnesses to the fact, that, even though a counter-revolution has taken place in France, that country has derived immense advantages from the Revolution; that she is now freed from numerous oppressions before endured; that her agriculture has made astonishing progress; that she has got rid of her feudal tyrannies, her Monks, her tythes; that her farmers are now able to undersell ours in our own markets; that her manufactures are great

the adversary. Their was a great outcry about Atheism in France; but what was it, after all, but letting the human mind loose to range at pleasure? When every man, was at liberty to say what he liked, who need have been in fear for the cause of truth? He who was an insincere Christian; he who doubted of the truth of Christianity; he who thought it false, but who professed it from interested motives, had reason to rail against the innovators; but he who was a real believer, and whose belief was founded on the conclusions of reason, could not possibly have any groundly increased; and that, as yet, her King for alarm, seeing that freedom of discussion is, and eternally must be, favourable to truth; and, of course, hostile to error and falsehood. Those, therefore, who are opposed to freedom of discussion, on any subject, and who make use of clamours, slanders, or force to prevent it, may, in all cases, and acting under whatever pretence, be safely considered as wishing to sustain

error or falsehood.

has not ventured to overthrow Napoleon's laws, securing to all men perfect religious liberty, and an equality as to all matters connected with religious worship and the public capacities of the professors of different religions. Nothing could be a greater compliment to Napoleon, than the stipulation with the King, that NAPOLEON'S CODE, civil and religious, should remain untouched.

What ground, then, could your Priests have for their implacable hatred of Napoleon? Why did they put up thanksgiving for his overthrow? Why did they call the Cossacks and their associates the "bul

call him the oppressor of Spain, who had abolished the Inquisition, and had driven the Monks from their convents and their luxury? What could have been the cause of their being amongst his ca

But these observations do not apply to the case of the Emperor Napoleon. How ever just the hatred of your Priests against the Atheists of France, there was no portion of that hatred due to him, who reopened the churches, who invited the per-"warks of religion?" Why did they formance of religious worship, who encouraged the people to make provision for the maintenance of the parochial clergy, who went very regularly to hear mass himself; but who, at the same time, effectually prevented all religious persecution; who coun-lumniators? How came they to join in tenanced and encouraged all religious sects; who put them all upon a footing of civil and political equality; and who, throughout his vast dominions, was speedily introducing such a system, as to religion, as must, in a few years, have inevitably rooted out every fibre of superstition, and have put an end for ever to that spirit of persecution, which had so long been filling Europe with misery and crimes.

the prayers and thanksgivings of the Jesuits and Dominicans? The truth is, they were actuated by self-interest.They were alarmed at the consequences to which freedom of discussion might lead.The sudden overthrow of the old establishments of Europe; the great shock which the French Revolution gave to long-received opinions; the burst of light which had come into the human mind: these alarmed them. They began to fear, that, if religion became out of fashion in Europe, it might become out of fashion in Massachusetts, and leave them in a situa tion like that of the buckle-makers, when shoe-strings came in vogue. They now began to perceive, that the full of the Pope and of the Romish superstition and perse

Be he, therefore, what he might, in other respects, he had been, and he was a friend and protector of religious freedom. This quality, one would have thought, was that which, above all others, ought to have pleaded in his behalf with your Priests; yet they rejoiced at his fall; they hailed his enemies as the "bulwarks of religion;" they put up thanksgivings for the restora-cutions would be to them a vast injury. tion of the "venerable institutions" which he had pulled down; and they even called him "Anti-Christ," the appellation which they had formerly given to the Pope.

They saw that the French and Napoleon were snatching the very bread and meat off their plates. This was the true cause of their hostility against him; this was the

true cause of their thanksgivings for the victories of the Cossacks and their associates, as the "Lulwarks of religion;" that is to say, the bulwarks of their bread and meat; the bulwark of their living well without labour on the earnings of you, who pay them, and who do labour. The same motive would, of course, have induced them to abuse the pullers down of Mahomet. Nor must they be surprised if the world should suspect, that, in a similar cause, they would have made, if they could, a solemn league and covenant with the devil himself, and have called him the "Bulwark of Religion."

this" venerable institution." The example of France, and the practical effect thereof in America, had shaken their hold of valuable possession; and hence, and hence alone, their abuse of the French and Napoleon; their dread of the continuance of his power; their exultation at his overthrow; and their thanksgivings for the restoration of those " venerable insti"tutions" in Europe; those ecclesiastical powers and profits, which kept their own in countenance, and of which the French ̧ and Napoleon had been the determined enemies.

WM. COBBETT.

No more need be said. You, the If this conclusion against the Cossack People of Massachusetts, who possess so Priests of Massachusetts were not obviously much good sense, who have so often exerdeducible from their above-described con- cised that good sense as to other persons duct, unsupported by any other fact; if and things, cannot long remain the dupes any other proof were wanted, you have of these hypocrites, who, while they have that proof in their electioneering tricks of the desire of your welfare in the next last year, when, amongst their objections world constantly on their lips, are manito the electing of a Republican, or, as they festly intent upon securing to themselves, termed it, Democratic, Legislature, they in this world, ease and plenty at the public complained of a former Democratic Le-expence. gislature, in these memorable words :"They impaired the constitutional provi- POSTSCRIPT.-The following is the "sion for the support of a public worship, Decree of the King of Spain, re-establish"by releasing the disaffected from contri-ing the Inquisition, published in a Supple"buting to the support of permanentment to the Madrid Gazette, 23d July, "Teachers of piety, religion and mo- 1814. "rality. That is to say, they complain- "The King our Lord has been pleased ed of the "Democrats" for having endea-"to enact the following decree.--The ghvoured to make Massachusetts, in point of "rious title of Catholic by which the Kings religious liberty, what WILLIAM PENN" of Spain are distinguished among the made Peansylvania, and what Napoleon "other Christian Princes, because they do had made, as nearly as he possibly could," not tolerute in their Kingdom any one France and Italy, and all the countries" who professes another religion than the which he had conquered. Here we see "Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman, has powthe REAL ground of the hostility of your "erfully excited my heart to employ all the Priests to the French Republicans, to Na-" means which Cod has placed in my hands, poleon, and to the Republican party in" in order to make myself worthy of it.America. They had long enjoyed the "The past troubles and war which afflicted benefices of a sort of established and domi-" all the Provinces of the Kingdom, during nant church; they had long been receiving "the space of six years; the residence compulsory payments for their support; "therein during that time of foreign troops they had long felt the agreeable effects of" of different sects, almost all infected with "abhorrence and hatred to the Catholic

*

Note. All religions were always tolerated in Massachusetts; but there was a law, before

the Republicans got the upper hand, to oblige

every person to contribate to the maintenance of public Protestant worship, to his own teachers, if he had any; if he had none of his own, to the Priest of the parish wherein he resided.- The Republicans appear to have left every man free to pay to any sect, or to no sect at all, as the just and wise William Penn left the matter in Pennsylvania.-This was the crime of the Republicans in the eyes of the Pric-is of Massachusetts. Whether the Federalists have since sadled the people with a tax on account of re gion, I know not.

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may

a remedy against so great an evil, and establishment that the greatest utility in my preserve dominions the holy reli- “ arise to my subjects from it, I wish gion of Jesus Christ, which my people "that as soon as the Council of the In"love, and in which they have lived and" quisition shall meet, two of its members, "do live happily, both by the duty which" with two others of my Royal Council, "the fundamental laws of the Kingdom "both of which I shall nominate, should impose on the Prince which shall reign "examine the form and mode of proceed“over it, and I have sworn to observe and ing in the causes appertaining to the "fulfil, as likewise being the most proper Holy Office, and the method established means to preserve my subjects from in- "for the censure and prohibition of books; "testine dissentions, and maintain them in" and if there should be found any thing "peace and tranquillity, I have thought it" in it, contrary to the good of my sub"would be very convenient in the present "jects, and the upright administration of "circumstances, that the tribunal of the "justice, or that ought to be altered, it Holy Office should return to the exercise" shall be proposed to mc, that I may de"of its jurisdiction.-Upon which subject" termine what shall be proper. This is "wise and virtuous prelates and many cor"communicated for your information, and "of whom it may concern. 66 porations and serious persons, both eccle"siastical and secular, have represented to "me that it was owing to this tribunal that Spain was not contaminated in the 16th 66 century, with the errors that caused so "much affliction in other Kingdoms, the "nation flourishing at that time in all kinds "of literature, in great men, in holiness "and virtue. And that one of the princi

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pal means employed by the oppressor of Europe, in order to sow corruption and "discord, from which he derived so many advantages, was to destroy it, under pre"tence that the light of the age could not "bear its continuance any longer; and which, afterwards, the self-styled general Cortes "with the same pretence, and that of the "Constitution, which they had tumul"tuously framed, annulled to the great sor"row of the nation. Wherefore, they have "ardently requested me to re-establish that "tribunal; and according to their requests, and the wishes of the people, who "from love to the religion of their fathers, "have restored, of their own accord, some "of the subaltern tribunals to their func"tions, I have resolved that the Council of "the Inquisition and the other tribunals "of the Holy Office should be restored and "continued in the exercise of their juris"diction, both ecclesiastical, which, at the "request of my august predecessors the "pontiff's gave to it, and the royal, which "the kings granted to it, observing, in the "exercise of both, the ordinances by "which they were governed in 1808, and "the laws and processions, which, to avoid "certain abuses, and moderate some privi"leges, it was mete to take at different "times. As besides these provisions it "may perhaps be suitable to adopt other; "and my intention being to improve this

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Palace, 21st July, 1814.

"THE KING. "To Don Pedro de Macanaz.”

LETTER III.

TO THE EARL OF LIVERPOOL,
ON THE AMERICAN WAR.

MY LORD, -In the American newspapers I have seen an article, entitled "British Botheration," in which article are noticed, in a most ludicrous, but most provoking manner, all the wise observations made in England, as to the cause of our ships being beaten by those of America. At the close of the article, the writer states what he regards as the real cause; but which statement, I will, for my health's sake, refrain from repeating to your Lordship. But if this saucy Republican gave the title of Botheration to our former puzzlings upon this head, what will he say now, when the question is become ten thousand times more embroiled than ever?

The speeches, attributed to the Opposi tron, upon this subject, present matter worthy of public observation. Mr. HORNER lays the blame of the failure on the Lakes Erie and Champlain; he attributes those memorable victories of the Americans, to the Ministry. He complains, that you and your colleagues left our naval commanders to contend with a vast superiority of force. The American official account, in both cases, makes the superiority of force on our side; and, as to Lake Champlain, Sir George Prevost himself gives us a superiority of seven guns. I am, for my part, at a loss to discover the policy of ascribing every disgrace to the Ministers, and every success to the commanders. Of its flagrant

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got some English sailors in your ships." May be so," says Jonathan, "but you have got all English sailors in your

injustice there can be no doubt; and, it | Johnny Bull says to Jonathan, “you have appears to me, that its folly is not much more questionable. Wellington was made a Duke for his successes; but, according to the present way of thinking, or, of talk-ships."-" Aye," replies John, "but ing, the Secretary of the War Department you have the best of our sailors."got should have been made a Duke, and Wel-". May be so," says Jonathan, "but, then, lington remained what he was; and the "how comes the best of your sailors to deLords of the Admiralty should have had "sert from your service to come into all the ribbons, stars, and titles that have "mine ?"-" No, no!" rejoins John, been bestowed on naval commanders. If hastily, "I don't mean the best men; I to the commanders belong the praises of "mean that they fight more desperately victories; to them also belong, upon the "than those that we have on board, beface of the matter, the blame of defeat. "cause the rascals know, that if they are

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Much reliance appears to be placed by" taken they will be hanged."—" Oh, fie! the Opposition on the circumstance of" Johnny," rejoins Jonathan, "do you think Captain Barclay having been honourably" that Englishmen will fight better from a acquitted by a court-martial. For, say "dread of the gallows, than from a love of they, if he was provided with a force equal "their King and their glorious Constituto that of the Americans, he must have" tion ?"-"No," says John, "I said no been guilty; and, if he was not, the Mi- "such a thing. You have got heavier nisters are to blame. They take this sen- shot, and stronger powder, and more tence of the court-martial, therefore, as guns, and more men." .“ Indeed, proof of the guilt of the Ministers. But is Johnny," says Jonathan, "Why, I am it not very evident that this conclusion is "sure you pay enough for your ships, shot, false? Captain Barclay might be as brave" guns, men, and powder. Your navy and a man as ever existed; he might have" ordnance, last year, cost you 25 mil acted with wisdom equal to his bravery; "lions sterling, which is more than twenty he might have had a superiority of guns "times as much as ours is to cost us next and men; he might have been defeated; "year, though we are building fleets and yet he might be perfectly free from any forming dock-yards, besides defending, blame, and might, on the contrary, merit" Lakes and all, three thousand miles of honours and rewards; still the Admi-"sea coast."-" Well," says John, ready ralty might deserve no censure whatever. The Americans might have abler seamen ; they might, from their superior bodily pay it."-"Oh, dear," says Jonathan, strength and agility, be able to fire quicker "don't be angry, old friend. I have not than we; they might fight with an un- "the least objection to your paying; only, heard of degree of resolution and eager- "I hope, I shall not hear any more of ness; they might be animated by feelings" your grumbling about the Property unknown to the bosoms of their adversa- " Tar."—" You are a saucy scoundrel," ries. What is it to become a maxim, says John, foaming with rage; 66 you dethat whenever one of our commanders is serve a good drubbing, you Yankee dog, defeated, there must be a crime either in" and you will get it yet; and, at any him or in the Ministry? Must he be" rate, if I pay taxes, I'll make you pay punished, or they condemned? Must he be" taxes too. If I am miserable myself, their accuser, or they his accusers? This "I'll make you unhappy, if I can.” would soon introduce a very amicable sort It is to this mortification, my Lord, that of connection between the commanders and you have to ascribe the attacks of the the Ministry. newspapers on the Naval Administration, which really appears to me to have done more in Canada than could have been ex

to burst with anger, "what is that to you "what I pay ? I will pay it, if I like to

The truth is, my Lord, that there is a degree of mortification and of shame attached to these naval victories of the Ame-pected at their hands. You see that the ricans, that drives men, and particularly naval men, who have all the mass of the people with them, to all sorts of follies and inconsistencies. They do not know what to say, or to do, in order to get rid of this insupportable mortification. Sometimes

Opposition here are supported by the coun try, who will blame you, blame Sir George Prevost, blame our powder, shot, ships, gun-locks; blame any person or thing; blame and execrate all the world, rather than acknowledge that the Republicans

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mouth and Gosport, “it is time an inquiry was made! It is a shame that Sir George "Prevost is not brought home and pr "nished." I can assure your Lordship, that this is their language; and they will be quite outrageous, when they fad, that he is not to be punished; but, on the contrary, is to remain where he is. There is no one here

are, gun to gun and man to man, our masters upon the sea. Far be it from me to censure a reluctance to come to such an acknowledgment. The reluctance arises from a love of one of the best professions of one's country; namely, its fame in deeds of arms. But, then, it is manifest, that this patriotic feeling, if not subjected to reason and enlightened views, may be pro-abouts, who does not think that Sir James ductive of great injustice towards com- Yeo's letter to the Lords of the Admiralty manders, or ministers, or both; and may ex- is a finisher for Sir George. To such a pose the nation to great and lasting misery. pitch of folly has the nation been pushed The opposition are feeding this feeling. by their notions of the invincibility of the They ascribe every failure to you and your navy, that a Captain in that service. is colleagues; and they studiously keep out looked upon as the absolute arbiter of the of sight the real cause of those failures.- fate of a Lieutenant-General of the army, They justify the war, on our part; they and the Governor of a Province, un 'r fan the flame; they excite false hopes of whose command he is serving, Sensible future success; they say to the people, we men were disgusted at the arrogance of have failed hitherto from the fault of the Sir James Yeo's letter; but it was wellMinistry; and, thereby, they cause it to be suited to the capacities and tastes of those believed, that better may be done for the who sing, or listen to, Dibdia's nauscous future, without any radical change in our trash about the fleet and the sailors. political and naval systems; and, in doing this, they do, in my opinion, as great an injury as they can possibly do to the country.

:

Upon the heads of there, who demand these enquiries and cæposares, be the consequences. These conscquences will be, clear proof, that our naval officers Lad a sufficiency of force, upon both the occasions alluded to, and that they were to blame, if any body was, for their defiats. Sir Geo. Prevost will never suffer himself to be regarded as the cause of these calamities and disgraces; and I am very sure, that the Ministry, having the power, will not neglect the means of justifying themselves. So that all this stir will only tend to make the mortification of the navy greater than it now is; the prejudices of the nation will only receive the greater shock; and the world will only have completer proof of those very facts which we are so anxious to disguise or disfigure.

Next to the Ministry comes Sir George Prevost. Mr. Horner did not know which was to blame, the Ministry or the Colonial Governor. The fleet had been beat and captured, and Mr. Horner was sure that it must have been owing to something other than the fleet itself, or, at least, its commanders. It never could be their fault. No it was not their fault. Men who fought two hours and twenty minutes within a few yards of the mouths of the opposing cannon, and whose vessels had not a mast or any thing standing to which a sail could be fastened. Such men could not be in fault. They fought most bravely. They were overpowered. They lost their fleet; but ungrateful is the country and base the man, who insinuates that they ought to have done more. They could do no more. If they had continued to fight," have been fitted out in an extraordinary they must have been all blown to pieces, way to combat such a foe as the Ameri without the power of resistance. No it cans !" But, suppose the Admiralty. was not the fault of the officers of our fleet. not to have fitted them out in this extraIt was the fault of the Yankees for being so ordinary way? Were they to blame for strong in body, so agile, so dextrous, and so that? Was there a man in the country, determined. Mr. Horner should have who did not despise the American navy? made a motion against them. Suppose he Was there a public writer, besides myself, were, next time, to make a motion for pro- who did not doom that navy to destruction secuting them? If we could get at them in a month? Did not all parties exccedin that way, it would soon benumb their ingly relish the description, given in a very faculties. august assembly, of "half a dozen of fir frigates, with bits of striped bunting at

"Aye," say the people about Ports

It was observed during the debate, that though our ships of war were quite sofficiently provided with the means of "com"bating an ordinary foe, they ought to

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