The gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1798-1799, 1798-12-31


dered, by nation who were bound TO refpe6f
and Protett them and when the humane poll
| cy OF It's government endeavoured in vain by
| friendly negotiations to check thofe alarming
exce1i-s--it is tbs duty Of that people to Rop the
ravages Of fuch an enemy by efficient means,
and 70 rel3rt to the lat mealure by which A
nation can compel juaiee; LEFT by tame and
co"ardly endurance of fufering, they function
greater evils, and hazard every national right
an. ZCI.vilege.
VeI1ay Lef2r4 oaE4EyeI, 7tha, tle --f-..os III
| France are unequaled in the annals Of human
depravity ; Il has already beea fe=n, that neither
religion, morality nor humanity have power to
check her infolence. What indeed can be ex-
Petted from people whof- religi Is at5eifu,
whole morality is murder, biracy and every vics,
and Whole policy is aomini3e
Il IS not our intention to prove that France
has broken every engagement Of alliance, amiry
and tFieadthip with US alas, with what nation
have they adhered to any principle Of gatona
honoror TO any tie which binds one community
70 any other with what indignation does
| every one, once a caizea Of Geneva, of Switze-
land, Of Rome, and even her own oppreded
citizens, exclaim (acb things are : !-Neithcr
IS 1t our intention to open the volume o. crimes
ihe has committed towards us--to thclc who
are yet aaJslegag, ne d0 not e1d5avor II con.
vlnce-the attempt mutt be truitleE.-Our de-
/ hgn is briefly to ihow the duty and iuRice we
owe 70 onyJelvs5 by public declaration of war,
and the advantages Of iuch a meliu'e
| But the limits Of periodical publication
compel US to be briaf-we VIII therefore con
ciiely Gate fome Of the advantages we fhould
gam AID The evils We ibouid avoid by war.
1T. There is material difference between
\ at'sgfUs and dtjsyfue war and il war be now
cecareI a2ainit france, it mutt BE Of the latter
delcrPtion. If any war can be Jun, il is that
IN which conquea and plumber bear no part,
aud 70 which yfHfrsfrVati2n is the fole motive.
I'd. SucI i now the criis Of on exterior af-
lars, that lhculd we not declare var, he feveral
acts OF cur government permitting our vefIs
to arm and in refraining all commerce with
| the French Wea India lilandi will have an
! eHt6t TN iriure ourirlvee. Theft acts were de
hGned 70 nanifch our zca! to prc!eIve our
rights, and prelude to an open declaration
OF war, unlels France thould be dipoled to DO
us jIttice. Should we therefore recede from
| the policy which dictated thof: laws, it vii
be mculcating The idea that We have been pre-
| ciPtate, and that France has cau.e of CON-
plant againR US, and very much tend to aug
ment the number Of her partizans in this
country.
Sd. Such is the criGs Of our Gomsne diviions,
that nothing fhort Of declaration Of war will
tend TO unite the people. So long as there is
any appearance Of compact between France and
America, the partzans of the former may
manifef THEN attachment, and iRculcate their
principles, with greater fecurity, and with ap-
parent honeity. If therefore war be formally
declared, they NUT relnquiih thole attach
ments and principles, Or be treated as traitors,
and viewed in the fame degrading light with
the late American tories. This would tend
much to our union and give additional weight
to the mealures Of our national government.
4th. War would give fpring to cur national
lnterets abroad. Our reftancc 20 the common
Enemy Of mankind, would propagate exalted ideas
Of our power and relources. The advantages
to be derived from iuch character are almuG
incalculable. Other nations would Be careful
Of their conduit towards Us, grant US many
favors not in our power to acquire and our
trade, tie very life of our government, would
be more eztenGvely courtcd, and on more ad-
yantageous terms.
9Th. To preterve and encreafe our private
and pecuniary intereRs, war mutt be declared.-
Our merchants have already filtered by the
derredations of France to the amount Of fifty
millions Of dollars and Ghould peace take
place, there is 10 great probability Of her ever
beng able (even if fhe had the incnationl to
refund Us this fun. IF war be declared, thefe
dePrecations would in fom9 msaiure cealc, be-
cauie our commerce would he more amply
protected by conveys, and we lhould be allowed
the privilege Of making reprfals on the COM
meFce of France. Attic the property of
France en- the ocean is but fnall yet, now
and then, our enerFriGng merchants would
reimburl9 themfalves the expence Of arm;nG
and many Of them perhaps make up the lohes
they have luRaineG. Such a fate cf things,
would reduce the number Of French armed
Ive6els, and the reGdue, mott probably, would
! be kept within their own harbonrs, and the
ports Of their own iiands. This muR neceht-
ri'y location much dittrefs to the Aanders-
their want Of proviions, and o,her articles Of
our growth, would induce them TO declare
themlelves Independent.
| 9th. We fhould ccuGder the blcihngs we en-.