Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1802-10-23

Ouf inabuldStaIcS OUT az q JulnOuS lntSie
eft IN a word, an exchange d~efrueive
to commcrcc and confidence dries up every
iourcc ofnational PROPERTY every thing
makes in favor of the rivals Of our manu-
featuring induRry, and we mutt be fpeedi-
ly involved in total ruin! Yet there are
who can maintain that France mutt
have the advantage ina competitions where
the means are 70 unequal!
We hold the fame opinions as to the
perfection Of the objects Of indufry ; but
what fgnifes the value of things, if the
fale be not certain and if the nation give
greater advantage to foreign products
Our reflections are fixed on the prefent
fate Of sHairs. Scarce has a maritime
peace been proclaimed, when the introduc-
ton of merchandise commences the French
warehouses are overlooked, our manufac.
lures languih and forebode general ruin.
The French foil has not rejected the 70
reign commodities ; ayarice and extortion
have favored their circulation. See what
is the refult. The productions Of induf-
try. incumber the warehouses Of our manu-
features ; labour is repreded; workshops
are ihut up , thoufands Of workmen are
thrown out of employment, without even
a profped Of being able to gain wherein
TO fupport their numerous families.
" lis but an imperfect view of the
picture. Let US coniider the future. By
and by, if fuch a lyftem do not ceafe, if
French commerce prefer the products of
70 eign nations, if OUT manufactures and
workfhops receive no encouragement, all
is oyeri All the lhops are fhut, manu-.
featuring induftry abandoned, talents par
alyfed, and thoufands of citizens, with
their families, reduced to the mott fright
full poverty! While we are representing
| TO you our fears and alarms, there is not
a fourth part Of US in a fate of activity
! Every day witnefes many unfortunate
man fwelling the lift of victims. Thofe
who are yei retained, are retained only in
| confederation Of old ieryices; and they
are threatened foon to harc thole calami-
ties with which that clafs are afflicted, if
the Government do not fpeedily remove
the evil.
z" This i. not all. Our hands once
become idle, a thoufand other ftates par
ticipate our misfortunes by a neceilary
conlequcnce /: our inaetion Rops their Ia
bours {: every thing is linked together in
a fate /: if you dam up a brook at the
fource, the turtle plains it watered are
truck with barrenefs.
{" We are expofing, General Conful.
great and touching truths. Oh !! that
you could here the cries ofwant, the fghs
and dcfpair of the families Of our nnfortn-
nate companions |! they are absolutely ma
ked, and can fee nothing before them but
mere profound diRrefs.
" General Conful, we expect, from
your Colicitude, a period to thoie miGeries
which weigh upon usi in 70 terrible a man
ner. A few moment more and our i'm
portant city will pofefs no more work
men: many Of them will be deyoured
by want and mifery. Difgua and offers
from foreigners will have caufed the emf
grafton Of the ref What powerful con-
alterations !!
We have fpoken the truth Govern
men. is worthy 10 hear it. We hope that
the fra Magifrate Of the republic will
turn his paternal regard towards one Of
the mott induArious departments to the
workfhops of our manufacturers, tina, their
labours may receive encouragement =
The workman AXIS only one favor, that
his hands may be contantly employed,
thar his work may fufice for fupplying
his wants. Then his wines will be ac-
complihed."