ion. Some of his own zealots do not
scruple to confess that he has been too precipitate, and thereby
injured the cause he meant to enforce; which is to establish such
an influence in this country as to sway the government, and to
control its measures. Evidences of this design are abundant, and
new proofs are exhibiting themselves to illustrate the fact; and
yet, lamentable thought! a large party, under real or pretended
fears of British influence, are moving heaven and earth to aid him
in his designs. It is a fact well known, for history proves it,
that from the restless temper of the French, and the policy of that
nation, they attempt openly or covertly, by threats or soothing
professions, to influence the conduct of most governments. That
they have attempted it with us a little time will show. But,
finding that a neutral conduct had been adopted, and would not be
relinquished by those who administered the government, the next
step was to try the people; and to work upon them, several presses
and many scribblers have been employed to emblazon the improper
acts of the British government and its officers, and to place them
in all the most exaggerated and odious points of view of which they
were susceptible; to complain that there was not only a deficiency
of friendship, but a want of justice also, in the executive toward
France, the cause of which, say they, is to be found in a
predilection for Great Britain. This not working so well as was
expected, from a supposition that there was too much confidence in,
and, perhaps, personal regard for, the present chief-magistrate
and his politics, the batteries latterly have been levelled at him
particularly and personally. Although he is soon to become a
private citizen, his opinions are to be knocked down, and his
character reduced as low as they are capable of sinking it, even by
resorting to absolute falsehoods. As an evidence whereof, and of
the plan they are pursuing, I send you a letter from Mr. Paine to
me, printed in this city, and disseminated with great industry.
Others of a similar nature are also in circulation.

"To what lengths the French Directory will ultimately go, it is
difficult to say; but, that they have been led to the present point
by our own people, I have no doubt. Whether some, who h