Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-12-19

will be more prudent than IN existing cir
/ cumstances, TO involve himself in war witt
us. The English nation, after the hand
some letter clifford Hawkesbury to oul
minister Mr.. King, expressing the APPROX
al of his Britannia Majesty OF the treaty
cannot in decency interfere; and Bona
parte is bound in honor ndgood faith, tt
protect us in the possession of that country
disgrace would cover him and his nation
If he took any part against us. Whom theI
should we have to contend with? With the
bayonets of the intrepid French grenadiers
as the honorable gentleman from Delaware
| last session told us, or withthe encryated
degraded, and emaciated Spaniards? Shall
we be told now that we are no match foi
lth;se emaciated beings.
Last session we were impressed with the ne
cessiyyso of taking in:aedlase. possession Of the
Island of New Orleans in the face of two natl.
ons, and now we intertain doubts if we can CON-
/ tat the weakest OF these powers, and we fur
] ther told we are going to sacrifice the immense
sum of fifteen millions Of dollars and have 60
TO war with Spain, tor the country afterwards,
when last session, war was TO take place at all
events, and no costs were equal to the Object
tGentlemeu seem 10 be displeased because we have
procured it peaeeably, and at probably ten times
| less expence than it would have cost us had we
taken fotcible possession Of New Orleans alone,
which am persuaded would have involved US in
/ war, which would have sadded us with debt
Of from one to two hundred millions, and per-
! haps have lost New Orleans, and the right ofde-
| posit after all. ] again repeat, Sir, that do
not believe Spain viii venture with the y.
States. | believe she dare motif she does, she
must pay the cost The Floridas will be inlme-
diately ours they will almost take themselves.
The inhabitants pant for the blessings OF your
equal and wise government they ardently long
to become part of the United States. An Of
hcer duly authorised and armed with the bare
proclamation Of the President, would go near to
take them the inhabitants oy hundreds would
flock to his stan lard, the very Spanish force
itself would assist in their reduction IL is CON-
posed principally of the Irish brigade and Creoes.
The former dsaffe6ted and the latter the dregs
of mankind. With two or three squadrons of
dragons and the same number Of companies of
infantry, nor doubt ought 20 exist OF the total
conquest of East Florida by any officer of soera-
bic talents. Exclusive, however, of the loss of
the Floridas, to use the language Of late mem
Der of Congress, the road TO Mexico is now
open TO us, which if Spain act, in an amicable
way-I wish may, ard hope will be shut as re-
specss the United States forever.
For these reasonsI think, sir, Spain will avoid
a war in which she has nothing to gain, and
every thing to lose. But what possession, say
the honorable gentlemen, are we to receive, the
twig of tree or the knockcr of a door No,
sir, reply but possession Of New Orleans, the
capital and its defences. BY whom, will the no.
norable gentleman ask T? answer the same men
who the honorable gentlemen were so anxious to
send forward and take forcible possession the last
session, which could not have failed TO involve
us with the French, for if we had succeeded and
taken possession, whose territory should We have
violated Spain was barely the tenant at will of
France, and France the real owner. Fin private
life, / were to enter house the honorable gentle
man had purchased, and kick his tenant out,
would he not feel aggrieyed and seek redress. So
would France, if we had rashly taken the nlea,
sures proposed, and what should we have had
then to do Fling ourselves at once into the arms
of Britain for protection. Is this what the ho-
norabe gentlemen wish 1t cannot be. hope,
Mr., President, that the citizens of the United
States, will never see the day when their defence
shall depend on British army or navy, or the
army or navy Of any other power on earth. We
are happily divided from the distractions and TIL.
mults of the eastern world by the Atlantic Ocean,
and trust we s,ali steer clear Of en:anging ALI.
ances, with any OF them.
Mr.. President, the honorable gentleman sp-
pears TO be extremely apprehensive Of vesting
the powers delegated by the bill now On It's pas
sage in the President, and wishes co retain it in
The legislamre-ls this a Legislative or an execu.
tive business /? assuredly in my mind of the lat
Ter nature. The President gave instructions for,
and with our consent ratified the tfeatY-We have