Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1806-03-14

equal weight. Thecombined feets oil
France and Spain, last year were greatly
superior to those Of the enemy the enc
NV nevertheless sustained no material
damage, and at the close Of the campaign
gave a very important blow to our allies.
This campaign, the difference between
the fleets, from every account I have
been able to collect, will be considerable {:
indeed it is far from clear, that there
will be an equality. What are We to ex-
pect win be the case IL there should be
another eampaignl In all probability the
advantage would be on the side Of the
English, and then what would become
of America! we ought not to deceive
ourselves. The maratime resources of
Great Rritain arc more substantial and
real than those Of France and Spain unia
ed. Her commerce is more extensive
than that of both her rivals; and it 10 an
axiom, that the nation which has the
most extensive commerce will alwaS s
have the most powerful marine. Were
this argument less convincive, the fact
speaks for itself; her progress in the
course of the last year is an ineontsstihle
proof. ia.
Z" 1t 10 true, France, in a manner, ere
ated feet ina very short space and
this may mislead US in the judgment we
form OF her naval abilities. but II they
bear any comparison with those Of Great
Britain, how comes it to pass. that with
all the force Of Spain added, she has Loaf
so much ground in so short a time, As
now to have scarcely superiority. We
should consider what was done by France
as violent and unnatural effort Of the
government; which, for want of a sutfi-
Gent foundation, cannot continue to o.
pcrate proportional effects. -:=-t
" In modern wars, the longest purse
most chiefly determines the event. I
fear that Of the enemy will be found to be
so. Though the government is deeply
in debt, and Of course, poor, the natl
on is rich, and their riches afford fund
which will not be easily exhausted. Be-
sides, their system Of public credit 10
such, that il is capable Of greater exer,i-
ons than that Of any other nation. Spe-
culatists have been long time foretell-
ing its downfall (; but we see no symp-
toms Of the catastrophe being very near.
I am persuaded it will q least last out the
war. -
" France is in very different positi-
ON. The abilities Of the present 6nan-
eier have done wonders by wise ad-
sninistration Of the resources, aided by
advantageous loans he has avoided the
necessity ofadditional taxes. But I am
well informed, If the war continues ano.
Their campaign, he will be obliged t. have
recourse to the taxes usual in time of
war, which are very heavy, and which
the p=opls Of France are not in a conditi-
on teendure for any length oftime. When
this Necessity commences, France makes
war on ruihous terms, and England from
her individual wealth, will End much
greater facility in supplying her exisen-
cies. =,
" Spain derives great wealth from her
mines, but 1t Is not so great Is is gene
rally imagined. Oftate years the profit
to government is essentially diminished.
Commerce and industry arc the best
means of a nation both which are want
ed by her. lam teld her treasury Is far
from being so well filed as we have Hat-'
tered ourselves. She is also much divi-
ded on the propriety Of the war. There
Is a strong party against it. The tenn
per Of the nation is too sluggish to admit
OF great exertions and though the courts
Of the two kingdoms are closely linked
together, there never has been in any Of
their wars, q perfeet=harmony Of mea-
sures nor has It been the case in this
which has already been no small detri-
meut to the common cause"
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