S76 
the conduét of Bonaparte much milder,and 
more ‘conciliatory to other powers than it 
was before. The celebrated Aloys Re- 
ding has been liberated from prifon, and, 
what is ftill more extraordinary, elected 
Landaman of the canton of Schwitz.. Gen. 
Aul-de-Mur, who commanded the army 
of infurre&tion of the fmall cantons, has 
alfo been chofen commander in chief of 
the militia of that canton—and in thefe 
el:&tions the cabinet of the Thuilleries ap- 
pears to have acquieiced. 
AMERICA. * 
The embodying of the. militia of the 
United States proceeds with much activity, 
and no lefs than 80,coo of the militia are 
ordered by congrefs to act as a general 
army, to attack Louifiana fhould it 
become neceflary. In cafe, therefore, of 
a war between France and Great Britain, 
there is a probability that the latter will 
find an efficient ally on the other fide of 
the Atlantic, unlefs France and Spain 
fnould relinguifh the unjuit and exorbitant 
claim which they have latterly endeavour- 
ed to eftablifh, with refpeét to the naviga- 
. tion of the Miffifippi. Late accounts from 
Paris feem, however, to intimate that the 
differences between France and the United 
States are on the point of being com- 
promifed. 
GREAT BRITAIN. 
Both before our laft publication and 
fince, various rumours have been propa- 
gated refpecting a projected change of 
miniftry. We have treated thefe reports 
with contempt.. That Mr. Addington, 
in the height of his popularity, and in the 
higheft favour with his fovereign, fhould 
retire from office, for no oftenfible rcafon 
but to make room for Mr. Pitt, is not in 
the leafi probable; and, on the other hand, 
that the pride and hauteur of ‘the latter 
would allow him to accept of an inferior 
fituation is not to be credited. That the 
old family connexion which has fo long 
fubfifted, and the perional friendfhip of 
Mr. Addingion for Mr. Pitt, fhould induce 
him to treat the ex-minifter with every 
mark of refpeét is confiftent with the ho- 
nourable and amiable charafter of the pre- 
fentChancellor of theExchequer; but there 
are ftill farther reafons why Mr. Piit’s ac- 
ceffien to office is not probable. Hisown 
fiate of health-is not fuch as to enable him 
to encounter the fatigues of public bufi- 
ne!s ; and if we may credit what has been faid 
of the perfonal diflike entertained for him 
in acertain quarter, that is an impediment 
which will not eafily be removed. ‘That 
changes of lefs importance may take place 
a; the courfe of the year we think not im- 
State of Public Affairs in April, 1803. 
being introduced into adminiftration. 
[May 4; 7 
probable, but there is not the leaft appear= ; 
ance of any part of the houfe of Grenville 
As little do we credit the reports of a .— 
probable and fpeedy adjuftment of the 
matters in difpute between this country 
and France. Our miniftry, we ftill be- 
lieve, muft have acted upon found reafons 
and good information before they en- 
countered fo enormous an expence as the 
late preparations have occafioned—Nor is 
the Chief Conful of fo pliant a difpofition 
as to be made eafily to give way. The 
warlike preparations, both in France and 
England, are ftill perfevered\ in; or, if 
there is lefs activity than at firt inourdock- 
yards at home, it is becaufe things are 
now in a ftate of forwardnefs, and nearly 
reacy for action. Befides, is it probable 
that minifters would delay imparting that 
intelligence which would be fo acceptable 
to the nation were they ina ftate to give it? ~ 
Io a word, tho’ war may poffibly not im- 
mediately fucceed, yet there is no reafon to 
warrant us in confidering peace as a cer- 
tain event. 
in the mean time flocks have rifen—For 
this many reafons may be affigned. The 
fir alarm has fubfided, and the accumula- 
tion of money in the hands of individuals 
has led them to wifh to’ keep it no longer 
unempleyed—But the rife of ftocks, though 
it may bea fair criterion of public fenti- 
ment, has little to do with the determina- 
tions of cabinets. The difpute is ftill un- 
decided, and while it remains fo there 1s-a 
probability of war. ea 
That the Britith miniftry have in this 
bufinefs a part of fome difficulty to aét 
mui be evident to every candid and re- 
fiecting mind. That the encroaching 
{pirit of our ambitious neighbour 1s a 
ferious canfe of alarm is beyond difpute, 
and we.fear that the old term Pumica fides 
is ftill applicable to the government of that 
country. Yet,on our part, we will not 
hefitate to fay, that every part of the 
Treaty of Amiens, even to the letter, 
fhould be ftriétly. fulfilled. The Englifh 
charaéter, that of unblemifhed integrity, 
fhould be maintained under every difad- 
vantage. AES 
‘¢ Hic murs ahzeneus eftos 
<< Nil confcire fibi, nulla pallefcere culpa.” 
While we act as Englifhmen, as En- 
glifamen we will not be afraid of the 
power of France. Let the breach, if a 
breach is to take place, be on their part 5 
‘the pofleffion of a poft is not worth the 
flightett accufation of a breach of faith. 
With united . hearts, and with, thanks to 
wy the. 
4 
a ge ee eee 
ee a 
a 
ee oe 
