Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-11-21
Fran the Nszv York EOentng Post.

not to descend occasionally into decree
ofverbal criticism which would hardlv h.
allowable IN any other case, and wb;.s
seems almost to detract from the weipht Sc
the very serious objections which our dntv
will compell as to urge against the matter
itself. But in cur Judgment, where the
hrstmagistrate issues solemn state paner
whichis tot re published notonly thronah
out the United States, but throuphou, e.
rope, the character of the na,ion is con.
cernsc in its being at least free from i'm.
proprieties. 1t is not that the careful "a
lection OF correct and suitable expression,
is matter of positive merit, but certainly
the neglect of it is inexcuseable and d;..
graceful. What wiki be thought OF our H.
terary character abroad, not very exalted
at best, when it is seen that our Presden,
in his official communications, is incapable
or careless, OF writing English? We are
much mistaken il those VINO are men of
sense among Mr. Jeaerson's best friends,
are not very much ashamed of the paper
now before as. To proceed
!" The irregularities too on the ocean,
which generally harrass the commerce Ct
neutral nations, have, in distant parts dis.
turbed ours less than on former occasi.
ons.''
Mr.. Jefferson IN the preceding sentence
had been speaking of the flames of zvar,'
and now nc says 6 irregularities to0 on the
ocean" Can zvar Win any proprlety be
derominated an irregularIty2 or can the
occasional disturbance OF neutral commerce
be denominated a zvar :
s. But in the American seas they have
been greater from peculiar causes; and G.
ven within our harbours and Jurisdiction,
infringements on the authority OF the laws
have been committed, which have called
for serious attention"
Which is the antecedent to theuS occa.
sions, or parts, or nations, or irregularl-
ties? Bat what is meant by his, peculiar
causes" Is any specific meaning convey
eddy this vague expression?
The friendiy condacs Of the govern.
n4ents from who's officers and subjects these
acts have proceeded, III other respects, and
in places more under their observation and
controul, gives Us confidence that oar re-
presentations on this subject Will have BEEN
properly regarded
Nct one reader in five viii understand
the meaning of this sentence, ifoE ias
harsh disjapcton and i'll arrangement offs
members. But what is the amouNt Of tAs
information C Tbs friendly conduct OF
certain governments give us contGsacs tfa;
our representations WIilhave been attended,
to-" Have any positive assurances tha
been given by those Cove nnefts 20 whom
these representations have been made
Has France promised either indemnify lol
her numerous captures, or satisfaction i0t
her atrocious violation Of our sovereign
"? What has she SAID about the Immense
prosperity of which her prlvateers have pun
dered our merchants, and carried INFO oP"-
nish ports? Ard what atonement has pee"
offered for the fragrant infringement OF ou'
| national rights by her crulzcrs in olocSaa'
ing our harbours, and making prizes WIN.
! in GU, Jurisdiction? We have not torgo''e'
tho affair of l. Hazard, a French prIvatee'
which crulsed SO lonS betWeeh
( Charleston Bar making prize OF Ams.r
| can as we'll as British vessels, under IDs
/! mouth of our cannon at Fort Green. NJ p
have we forgotten that when some OF lh tn,
limited States officers went down TO SoeA'
spur, to enquire into the reasons OF SUI"
conduct, she treated them with losoisne.
and set the force OF the United ota'eS 9,
defiance Gun Boat and all. For TINS aA.'
other similar atrocities what has been oon''
what has been said? and what has osen ' 80
reply? This was early in the spring anu u; ~
ter eight months has the President n ~ .dia
better to tell us than that "the irlehoy
conduct ofthe government 10 other fesp sers
from whose officers and subjects tnese or a.r
have proceeded gives as confluence tna l:s vs