Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-05-08

/ treasures OF Our feVivinG commerce wer..
captured while they were pursuing t5e;-
peaceful destination, ever before any decla
ration OF war.--Afseadv have some Of. ~.
foreign possessions fallen before the sun
rior force Of our enemy every DAY orr
situation is growing worse by the staenation
which prevails in the different branches &c
our commerce and industry and the con-
siderable sacrifices whichehe part we have
10 bear in this fatal war requires from Il,
Impose upon as the unavoidable necessity
'of laying new burthers upon our fellow
tcitizens, whose burth-n5 are already rreo,
The consideration Of this unfortunate
and huniiliating situation OF ,he Republic
would make Us almost despair Of ever s,.e-
ing its affairs re established on a SOLID foun-
dation, if W. did net feel the nqost lively
persuasion that all those evils, (thouqa s1i-.
red UP BY the injustice of neigabourap
power, who has rashlv and hastily en.erei
into the war; have yet happened Uader the
wise and hountiful direction OF that .i,ru.
ing Providence, whose mercy can AGAIN
close the wounds which we have received
from his hand, who can change oppression
and adversely 70 the seeds Of future and
more lasting happiness, sid has made the
history Of our country SO often bear witness
of this consolng tl'uth. It is this eucou-
raging persuasion which makes it CUR duty
Ito recalto or reccIlectioathe proofs Which
we have already experienced Of the Divine
Goodness. VINO does not recolIect that at
the beginning OF last gear, this country was
threatened with a most0estructire irulda.
ton by the vast collection Of heap:d up ice
in our rivers, when our fears were sudden
ly dissipated, and the country saved bva
ehaw, which brought no mjseyy wi5a it.
Who can consider, without gratitode, that
the contagious disease, more desuactve
and terrible than the sword OF ;@ar, which.
in another part CT the world, is the urge
OF a nation, otherwise happy in prosperity
and peace, and which has already RACED
with fairy in some parts Of Europe, Ia pot,
however, reached Us yer, although geS,
tensive commerce exposed u - more dan
ger than other nations WAC car coasioer,
without feeling gratitude .ase nog@tJa-
standing all the obstacles which fhs 4pwl.
Of industry Chat distinguishes our naaoa
has to encounter, still It IS not quite smo.a>
cred, but even now inspires hopes Tia. IT,
happier days it may revive?
Who can see, without gratitude, ,iat.@
the midst of our increasing distr there
are still found men who have Dot only taa
will but the means Of relieving the disrres
sed, and preventing the utter ruin Of a! lae
springs of industry.
These considerations, taken fogc(her
contain some motives For noG deapai,nr q
the returns Of our former happiness A,w
much should We be fattercd with this per-
spect.vc &c rendered wiser by our nais5or-
tunes We shall, FOR the future, substitute
economy, temperance, aud moderation, o
that expensive luxury which has extended
to Ill classes ofsociety; five shall learn to
be more rigid in our morals, and still! more
sincere and Ipright in our dealings; and il,
above al things, we cultivate the respect OF
religion, thar respect which was the orna-
ment Of the first founders Of our republic,
bu1 which is now so n!iserablv fallen, and
alone car insure the lasting happiness OF our
nation.
Then, doubtless, we might hope that'he
God of our fathers would change our dark
ness into light, and would not shut his ears
against ouv ardent PRAYERS for the safety OF
the country.
It is for the advancement Of this end
and for all. these reasons united, that, WIN
the appreciation of the Legislative body, II
has been ordered, that throughout all INC
cities, towns and districts Of the BataVian
Republic, a day shallbe appointed Tor " ,.,
Of benevolence and pubic .prayer," Wh''n
4 II ]