Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-01-09
saay Of those who have nachina,ed it's

eloquenCe OF the proclamation, we Cannot
carry our complaisance so far as TO say that
we have any faith in lis supposed effects.
We agree with Mr.. Jefferson, thar snaA
enterprises are criminal, aud s contrary
TO the laws ia such case made and proyid.
ed"--We therefore deprecate the idea
of risquing the tranquility and integrity
OF The union upon an experiment whether
reason nil prevatl over passion, and
duty be preferred to interest. We area.
mong the number OF those who believe
that the strong arm OF the law alone can
curb the licensious and disaffected. And
that when men are ripe for rebellion, they
are not 20 be reasoned into. submission ------
Upon a former occasion indeed, when In
surrection had raised her standard, pro-
clamatieu was issued by president Wash.
iagton-But les il also be remembered,
that the militia were drafted aud held in
readiness for marching While the de.
laded were warned OF their guilt, prepa.
rations were made to ctlastisc the insolent
and the force OF ihs patton was bfought
into action, to subdue those 10 whom rea..
son appealed in vain, and who could be.
comps!isd to submission only by their
cara. i
aud while we feel but little reliance ON
the efficacy Of the proclamation, we can.
not express IN tefma ZOO strong, our dis
appreciation Of the proceedings which 5reok.
place 10 the federal eoort. II at this time
any thing could have the effect to give to
col. Burr a m omentary eclat, and 70 change
into COMMUNICATION and sympathy the Pc
puiar ind ignation, it was shs very sep thai
has been taken ander preseoes OF bringing
him to iustice. Instead Of attempting TO
reach him by process, which would have
compelled hia 0 account for his actions;
Instead OF causing him TO be arrested in
the usual way, an application, unsuppors.
ed by any thing, other than what the ap.
plicaue . is intormed and verify believes"
is made in open court, 10 the presence Of
all those whom business or curiosity had
brought 20 the place.
II ought not 60 excite supra. there.
fore tina, colonel Burr mad immediate nc.
sice of what had been done. His friends
publicly brought againss him, and which
was calculated 10 enab!e him 10 make his
escape, if the proceedings had bsenof
nature to alarm him. Well might Burr
conclude he had notfing to apprehrud
from such an application, and 1t 3 not 70
be wondered al, ,ilas he should have pre-.
sen,ed himself voluntarily before the
court.
1t did no, require the legal talents of
has geutls man TO know, that upon such
motion, supported by such proof the court
could not ACT. And when at the instance
of the public officer, the jurymeu and wit.
nesses when attending were discharged
what greater triumph could colonel Burr
! and his friends wish What was then 10
be inferred by the people, but that the
proiec.s of that gentleman could not be a.
gainst The laws, and that be whose prepa.
rations and novemenss we're not forbid,
den by the law, had bseu treated with
injustice, by groundless attempt TO pro-
seeuse him in place, where he was
stranger, aud tor an offence, no proof Of
W hich, according TO the admission of his
accusers, could be procured
After sach proceedings he is allowed
to leave court, with the public impress.
sions ssreng 10 favor Of his innocence, be.
cause all the efforts of government TO pro-
duce proof Of his guilt, and to bring him
TO justice had been abor.ivr, and those
who have witnessed the proceedings teeE
themselves at liberty to d,scredis the cri-:
minali,y of his designs. They now sup.
pose tina, there is nothing 10 deter them
from engaging with him. 1t is true that
| the proclamation tells them that his enter.
prizes are highly criminal, but that procla.
NATION only expresses the opinion of the
president, and the proceedings in court are
Thought to contradict that opinion, more
especially too, when it is to be presumed