Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1806-06-20

from the slaves backs, and rage should
be kindled by pain and courage engen-
dered BY despair yet our resistance
would only avail to exasperate our -ty-
rants, and 70 embitter the sense and ag-
gravate the pressure of our calamities.
France would not fail to array an army
Of base Americans, and to-plaee them in
the strongest positions Of our country
and If these should be insufficient to
crush the FIRST movements of rebellion,
her ships would transport reinforcements
from Europe with greater celebrity, than
the American insurgents could collect
and train forces to resist them. Our in.
dependence then must be renounced, or
we must betake ourselves to the fast
nesses Of the wilderness to enjoy it, like
the revolted negroes Of St. Domingo, in
peril, want and barbarism. -
The preservation Of even this eonditi.
on would then appear to exact and merit
the display Of all our energies. Com
fortress and desperate as that savage in
dependence may seem, it would never
theless be preferable to the horrid STILL
ness Of our servitude under the power of
French tyrants, exercised by their depu-
ties, the Jefersons and Nicholsons, the
present arti6cers of our ruin.
It is very seldom that the events ofwar
turn out according to the predictions Of
specialists on their probabilities. Flu
turity is no doubt wisely and mercifuily
hidden from our view. Yet the issue
Of the contest between France and Great
Britain is so momentous to Amerita, it
is impossible to restrain our curiosity
from examining the position and relative
strength Of the combatants.
Surprising G. Britain to possess ade-
quate means to cope with France, tits an
interesting previous question to decide,
or rather to conjecture whether there is
a spirit in her government and people to
persevere IN the employment Of them.
The death of Mr.. Pitt has made COM
plete change in the ministry. He dis.
cerned, and it is strange that Mr.. Fox,
his supposed equal in talents, should not
have discerned, the necessity of oppo-
sing France in arms, and the fatal con.
sequences OF delusive peacc-Aand any
peace that should leave France giant a
mong pigmies, would be delusive. But
as Mr.. Fox has been the opposer Of the
war ever since 1898. and as he, and a
large number of his most stTenuods adj
herents are admitted 10 power, it may be
expected that he will insist on proposing
a negotiation. Proud as Bohaparte is;
he would joyfully accept the proposal
He may be as liberal as EngGshmen ean
ask in his terms, for any peace vii! make
him their master. Nothing could make
it safe, but that France should reduce
her power. This is = condition Mr..
Fox will not prescribe, nor Bonaparte
coneede.
We will not undertake to say that Mr..
Fox is bound in point Of consistency,
now, to propose peace. He may say
with plAusibility. perhaps with strict
truth, that the circumstances OF the two
countries are changed, that he was a
friend to peace while Europe stood in
dependent and powerful in arms to Sc
cure the observance oft by the French
Emperor but that now, peace would
lessen none Of the burdens OF the nation,
while it would put its commercial andna-
val resources, inaccessible in war, with.
in reach of the power and intrigues Of
Bonaparte. :-.~ -
What is Mr.. Fox's present opinion or
disposition, we know not. We haze no
hesitation in saying, that as a faithful
member of his Majesty's eounsels, il is
his duty to prosecute the war till Eng
land can be safe in peace, and she cannot
be safe unless she is great in comparison
with France. y,
J., Are there not probable grounds ofcon.
lecture that Mr.. Fox came into the min
is.ry on the terms Of supporting the war
measures of the government. Before
the peace of Amiens, the fruitless nego-
citation at Isle, had opened the eyes Of
al E.-l..k 81 l. l.