Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1806-10-10

Of France. II We refuse, the French
men will, in ell probably, help them
selves unless they have lately changed
their character, or unless, they should
be deferred BY the fear Of our gun-boat
navy. = ~. s. GKz. -
sssssssssssssasss
TRoM THE BOSTON R4pERronr.
Thoughts and Reflections on the Present
----~ State Of 1fairs.-M.E
~ CcoNrMuEp.l .>:. T.
There Is nothing more obvious, or less
maturely considered than this formida-
bic truth If France should triumph over
Great. Britain, American liberty will be
in,peril. Itremains to be seen, which,
in the opinion Of our rulers is most wor-
thy Of preservation, that liberty or their
own popularity. ,Ifthey choose to keep
the country .defsnceless, and to permit
thepeople TO be careless because they are
yet blind to their danger, they may con-
tinue to eniov their political sport. like
children at play on a preeipice, till the
foundation of their power slides from
under their feet. For nothing Is more
certain than that If Bonaparte prevails
against England, and Mr.. JefFsrsonpre-
walls much longer against our having any
efficient system Of national defence, the
French Emperor WILDE our masterif ne
chooses. But Bonaparte has said, and it
Is possible our rulers may affect to be-
ieve, that France is satisfied with her
ample dominion, that, weary and ex-
hausted by war;. she seeks only to esta-
blish the more glorious universal empire
Of the arts, and when she is no longer
embarrassed in her bene6cient designs
by an obstinate and jealous antagonist,
the world will then begin to enjoy peace,
without a disturher OF its blessings.
Isthis, however. the nature Of ambie
ton Is it an appetite that is .ehoaked
and eloyed or made ravenous by its glut-
tony! A creation only once in six days
would not be made fast enough to keep
pace with the growth of its desires.
The whole world is not wide enough for
this giant to stretch his limbs in.
Ambition coutented with, its limits
Have we seen the ocean so full that It
would not drink up another river In
quire ofthe winds whsther the last storm
has crippled their speed that they will
never blow again. Ask ofthepestilenee,
whether, weary Of havoek, It's iron heart
rclucts to tread once more its circle of
destruction. Yet six months after the
possession afthe British Navy BY France,
that ocean would swe,l beyond the Allie
.gany ridge, that tempest would scatter
blight and mildew over allouf plans, that
peslilsnse would cramp every heart with
trrronr and spot every honest face with
eontagion! We should see the temple
Of oar: li5ertysin ashes or in saokcloth,
and 1--we did: notfoathe life. it would be
because We could endure to drag il on m
servisnde aud disgrace. = 7 =
Who then viii say that Bonaparte
would no. desire the empire Of America,
or who that has not slaves heart alrea-
dy, could view with any calmness the al.
most Irresistible means he possess to OBJ
tain il, and to Obtain il without striking
= ulON = "CudNC tuCH aulOuH ~ WIN
will view il with eomplacsnsy, irnot Joy,
men whom liberty cannot elevate, and
whom the whipof the oppressor would
notdegrade. ... IT.. = T. j. -, :. ~ 7
: Shall we be told that il Bonaparte pos
sessed the British Navy he could not
govern this country If he would Has.
lie not governed il Dithant that Many ?
What Is there to oppose his viii: Have
VIC at Washington. a Roman Senate,
!. who, ifthe French Hannibal should land
here, would make an auction ofhis camp?
Il il conceivable that they should have
the courage to resist, who have not The
courage 10 prepare the means Of resis-
lance. Would those men resolve 70 face
his legions who have quaked at his mimi
,on's frowns - ZIG. :, - +. 81. = 4
Suppose however that peace ensues,