Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-09-07
From tie Pailadtl phi& Rsgister.
WAR WITH BRITAIN.

Mr.. ED1Toa-That the people OF this
country sheuId unanimously resolve on re-
distance TO The principle, and upsn stone.
ment for the practice OF the late British
outrage, IS no less honorable TO the sound
ness If their Understandings. than 70 the
nobleness of their hearts. Never tamgeiy
to submit toinsolence oraoppressicn, but
On the contrary, with obstinate, ADD when
necessary with desperate Vigor. sorepel
and punish the oppressor,is theprecep' OF
the wise, as we'll astthe eirtne of the 81 ave.
such were the opinions OF Washington {;
such has been the uniform and unloading
policy Of his adherents and no one with
principles or feelings Of federaliss ever
hesi.ated TO admi. and support the business
of the maxim. But thar We should not
only resolve upon resistance, bnl be pleas.
ed and gra.6ed with the prospect ct war;
that we should urge ard gosd our govern
men, no, only 10 demand repa ,a'icn ton the
injury but TO consider it as .natpeasabae
bu. by blood; tha, we SHOULD spura oegoc'.
alton, seject even the voice Of concession,
aad BY srnseless aud won,znish clamor. K
vulgar aud indecent invectise, bar 'he
road 10 accommodation and destroy both
the prospect and the right TO atonemens;
10 such proof Of folly, as we have oct OF.
ten exhibited, and displays v'nd'et'veoe's
Of character, which hasnot hisherto belong
cd 70 as. 80
At time when we have nenher aeets
nor armies. nor military skill in employ
men,; when we have no revenues which
war would no, annihlla,e; when our naval
force iostead Of being increased and
strengthened, has been both weakly and
wickedly Diminished aud enfetbled-
wheu our Qualifications are wholly neglected
and dscayed, aud when our conscript mill.
tia sy sts "a is so msefsbly commanded and
orrapized as to be much more IN lnsuv.
meo, OF oppression at home, than OF terror
abroad thar such .a,ime as thi. We should
rsjpiee IN The prospect q 1var demonstrates
indeed, degree of madpess which has
no rival i1 rnals of popular infa,ust'on.
In the midst however Of a real reign Of
terror, which threatens an influence as stu.
pifyiug as degrading, proprose at the ha.
card Ct prescription, even from my associ-
ases. briefly TO examine the true meri's Of
this subject. SO far as reeards the expedi.
eucy ef war. To shew wha, is or p-esent
condition; what we shall suffer from hos
til,ies how little we can annoy our enc.
my how much she may 6 10 from the
contest; aud what will probably be our ST.
,aation a. peace. Far from intending 10 a.
nv respect, TO Justify the a,trocinss vic.
lence done to the Chesapeake. or 10 cate.
nua,e the insolence which followed il,
declare without reserve, ihit it all the
parts Of that transact,on are moi dissyowed
miserable as war Will rrnae' us, W. mus.
resolve 10 bear It's evils. We shall not
however from having foreseen its Gala.
mites, be less able or Willing TO eodure
them, whilea jus. sense of their exseua &
permanency, may psevep, Us mis;aking
a thirst for revenge, for the feelings Of
honor or from blindly rushing 90 fate
which by prudence and moderation, n,sy
possibly pet be aveHed.
Firs,.hep. Let us shor,ly consider what
is our present condition, aud what we shsll
suffer from war.
/, is notorious that we have eeEa.
merce, exceeding, with one exception. that
of any nation in the world, now nnsuspi
cious and unprotected, open 10 the 6 asp
Of any powerlul destroyer one hundred
millions IF dollars at low computation,
now riding 90 the ocean, or 10 the hands
of British merchants add their correspond.
cn,s, wi.laecofdlng tothe state of foreign
relations at the end of six months, serve
ether to enrich al enemy or promote A.
american prosperity. Ne have seyen.y
thousand brave and hardy seamen. 40 less
qualified for naval victory, than CONNER
cial entcsprize,who by a sudden war will
either be thrown intoi prisons, or made