Wilson's article was published on January 7, 1805 in the True American, a newspaper from Trenton, New Jersey. Each year, around January 1, many newspaper editors of the time published short overviews of the events which had marked the previous year, and indulged in making predictions regarding the year to come. Reepublican editor James J. Wilson declared his support for the Tripolitan War, and applauded Jefferson's decision to get involved in it. His article praised America's progress in the war, and argued that the war was justified because America had been threatened. Moreover, the language he employs is mobilizing, and calls to patriotism, and a sense of national duty. Wilson uses the term "defensive navy" which has the power to legitimize the actions of the navy, and to contribute to the creation of a mythical dimension associated with the nation's heroes who, thanks to "their skill and bravery," have "given an idea of what they can and will do, when neccessity commands their employment in such enterprises." The second article was published on January 15, 1802, i.e. during the war itself, in Boston, Massachussetts....

Even after the resounding success of the American troops who won a naval battle despite being severely outnumbered in 1801, Jefferson's critics, the Federalists, were still looking for reasons to criticize his actions. In this case, Federalist editors Young and Minns criticize Jefferson for his choice of words on the occasion of an address which also included references to the success of the American Navy. They compare America's "energies to multiply the human species by ships's guns" with "giving the French liberty by the guillotine;" comparison which can be explained by the fact that the Federalists regarded the French as America's enemies, and not the British as did Republicans.
Works Cited

Dooley, Patricia L. The Early Republic: Primary Documents on Events from 1799 to 1820. (Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004): 125-137.

James J. Wilson in Dooley, Patricia L. The Early Republic: Primary Documents on Events from 1799 to 1820. (Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004): 127

Idem.

Dooley, Patricia L. The Early Republic: Primary Documents on Events from 1799 to…