Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1806-04-14

s.f;act points highly interesting, 6 which
y. now isvclved in dangerous obscuritv.
The situation 10 which we are placed
IN England, claims the hssr notice be-
',a,e of hrf prodigious naval power, which,
!, !. apprenendcd by some, may be sud-
d,nIy employed 10 annihilate our CONE
,sree. We wish therefore to be informed
shs.her the isjurious principles, adopted
n 10 her tribunals, have been relinquished or
,,rsndrd whether the measures devised
~ the wisdom of government TO obtain
redress, compensation, and security, pro-
niss successful result; or whether the
merchants must expect more porentous
events.
Rumors have prevailed respecting our
,,la.ionsto the opposite belligerenss, and
Isl of events tending to embroil us with them,
81 shich have alarmed the merchants of New
W York. They are DESTROYS of knowing
she,her those rsmors be idle aad vain, or
whether from transactions In the know
Edge of government il would be prudent
10 suspend or wholly TO abandon our com.
mercs with France aud Spain.
There was reason to believe that peace
mad been made with Fripoli, but as no
-aiecation of the treaty has been Off.
.;.uy published, the merchants wish 20
81 lnoS whether Investments for ih- Medi-
,.rrspsan cen be safely made, or whether
they mus, provide againstahe Expectations
- ofthe Barbary corsairs.
Finally the pluuder aud outrage to
which commercee is exposed in the West
a Indirs. aud even on our our coast, :snder
!, very desirable TO know wheiier GO.
,srnmens contemPlate employing a rss-
se,able naval force TO fepress those prcda-
cry aggressiens.
lam directed by the committee TO disa-
vow all intention or even wish TO pry into
the secrets of government, or urge the
n disclosure OF meraures which it may deem
useful or convenient 10 conceal more
4 especially to ask any thing incompatible
\ with your official obligations.
aWitk great respect,
have TO honor to remain, :
sir,
Your most obediens
fG6 humble servant,
THOMAS FARMAR, IS
Chairman, general commiite
OF merchants.
Hon. James Madison, ssc'Ty
of department of state.
Department Of state, March s1st, 1906.
SIN,
II have received the letter which
ysu wrote to me On the 1tsh instant by
the direction of the committee, appeiated
by a general meeting of the merchants OF
The solici,nde of those engaged in 70.
reign sommerce, at the preseas crisis,
which led to the application, could not fail
10 awaken the regret, that the cause of
mercantile operations coald not IN all cas-.
8 DC regulated, BY more precise know.
ledge OF foreign occurrences; but you are
doubtless sensible, thata communication
OF the features of that prospect, which if
net multiplied and varied, with the nul.
iiplied variation incident TO it. mutt itself
becomea source OF misealeulation, would
exceed the duty aud responsibility of any
government, as itwould Frequently do the
rules of prudence, if the task were less
imPracticabie- 1t is only therefore in pc.
sular cases, where the existence or the
decided approach of events deeply affecting
toe whole, or particular classes OF citizens,
may be known to the government, aud not
sufficiently within the general means OF
conjecture and anticipation, that special no.
slhsations can be required, either according
to exPediency or usage, and is just
subject of congratulssion in this country,
that such is the degree Of publicity given
Oy the ordinary vehicles, of circulatious to
foreign occurrences and appearances, and
such the capacity of our mercantile fellow