—— Fs” ee 
518 
had Lord St. Vincent's approbation; but 
upon this subject I have no information, 
These are the points of animadversion 
in the Review, respecting Admiral ‘P. 
which required the illustration of facts to 
invalidate misapprehension and misres 
presentation. As I write from recollee- 
tion, there may he others: but these I 
think sufficient to illustrate Admiral Pat- 
ton’s superior professional knowledge and 
merits and his patriotic motives, in the 
ardent desire he lias to secure to Britain, 
against the united naval world, the supe- 
riority ofther fleets, upheld by the volun- 
tary services of unequalled seamen, con- 
ducted by brave and skilful officers, and 
directed by maritime proficiency and 
judgment, 
The reviewer wishes to represent 
Admiral Patton as a croaker and pro- 
jector, whose opinions ought to be-disre- 
garded. But, upon this occasion, it must 
be remarked that his croaking rests upon 
the same foundation with his anticipation 
of the mutiny in the fleet, contrary to the 
judymenteven of professional men. God 
forbid that the reality of his representa~ 
tions should again be demonstrated by 
the occurrence of the events he wishes to 
avert, from the obstinacy of undiscern- 
ing confidence, ‘secure im the want of in- 
formation. Upon this subject the soli- 
dity of his conclusions has beew fully de- 
monstrated. His despair of influencing 
the rvlers of the state ty remetly the de- 
fect, which has already so nearly brouglit 
the navy to ruin, by the occurrence of a 
general mutiny, ‘has induced him to offer 
his: opinions to the public, and finally to 
tefer his statement of the situation of the 
navy to the good sense of the nation. 
Ameng the arts used by the same cri- 
tic, to creaie a prejudice against Admiral 
P. itis proper to advert to a most uncan- 
did: perversion of Admnral P.’s genuine 
sentiments of the military force of this 
country, under every denomination, 
whose zeal and gallantry deserve every 
praise he could bestow, which he literally 
meant as he expressed. How the re- 
viewer could pervert this into asneer, his 
intentions, must explain. 
_ The faets specified in the foregoing 
Sintpemetity were derived from Admiral 
Patton, but not upon the present occa- 
sion... [ am perfectly assured, of their 
truth, and [state them without bis know- 
ledge or participation. IT am uncertain 
how far be may approve of this explicit 
publication, but L think that justice to 
him and justice to the public, require 
that ali the circumstances illustrative o! 
Remarks on the Biographer of Fransham’s 
_ 4 a he vil 7 
[July 1; 
his merits and motives, should, upon thé 
present occasion, be made fully known,» 
. . 
ee 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magesine 
SIR, 
EING a constant reader of your 
publication, I met with a passage 
in your last number, upon which I beg 
leave te offer some remarks. Ina piece 
intituled, «* A Memoir of John Fran- 
sham,” the writer observes, of a period 
in his life, that “* Fransham was iow ac 
quiring, or rather exercising, a marked 
detestation against the christian religion. 
This was much the fashion of the time. 
At the court of George the Second, the 
literature of infidelity was not frowned 
down.” Whether this: is meant as an 
Been reflection upon the court of 
George the Third, I do not pretend to 
say. The writer by his manver, how- 
ever, seems to think that it was an ex- 
cellency of the former reign. I am as 
much an enemy of persecution as the 
writer, though I do not think it is for the 
advantage of any state to encourage ins 
fidelity. The effects of it upon the mo-+ 
ral and political state of nations, has 
been such, as to furnish a warning to all 
who wish well to their country. The lis 
terature of infidelity was not ** frowned 
down” in the court of Charlesithe Sécond, 
the cause or consequence of which was, 
that it was the most profligate of any 
court recorded. in the British annals, to 
say nothing of its intolerarice in matters 
of religion, But the writer proceeds, 
*¢ Tt wasthonght to diminish the certainty 
and authority of theologians, and thus 
their asperities and persecutions,” Tn 
proportion as infidelity prevails, it will 
naturally diminish the certainty and au- 
thority of theologians in the minds of 
sceptics; but if the remark is intended 
against christianity itself, facts do not 
confirm it. Christianity has’ suffered) 
nothing from that examination which has 
been excited by deistical writers, and 
the yenerality of theologians have: not 
felt the ground, upon which Christianity’ 
stands, less firm from: the strictest ine 
vestigation ; nor consequently is. their 
certainty or authority diminished, among 
those who haveyiven it an impartial cons 
sideration. With respect to the’ asperi- 
ties and persecutions of theologians, if 
certainly is desirable that they should be 
diminished, wherever they prévail; bug 
whether the prevalence of infidelity 
would diminish these evils, is rather a 
doubtful question, Avowed deists and 
atheists 
