Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-11-08

providing for the future support q state
which IS to resort to no other means than
can be supplied By itself, for its support and
its strength.
Without animadverting upon the next
measure Of administration, the non-lnapor-
tation act, evidently tending however to
the same object with the destruction Of our
navy, there IS another theme Of censure and
remark, ii the conduct Of our government
towarelsthe two chief powers Of thecontinent
Sits consequent effects upon our commercial
intercourse. However unfounded in equity
the claims of Great Britain might be, and
however unentitled by natural right to GER
tain privileges and immunities winch It
claimed and exercised, the time selected by
/ our rulers was surely unreasonable Tor st
tempting to rescue them from her grasp
Unhappily foradministration, it's an opinion
which is too well by aircumst
that the rejection of an amicable adjustment
with Britain under colorof obtaining amodi-
fcation and restriction CT her claims, as they
affect ourselves, was more the effect OF 81
snister views, than Of real desire to OBJ
tain. the ostensible objects Of demand
The injuries and insults issuing from a
mother power, from whom, even IN the
event Of an open rupure, little detrment
could be apprehcnded, were 50 fragrant
nature as to demand the most decisive
measures of retaliation from the Amlerl-
can government. Yet we have beheld
their encrnlities CLOSED over, and their
violations of our neutrality lett ,nn:ai's-
ed by censure, whilst the acts of Great
Britain, which to the unprejueiiced mind,
seemed incorlaratively less fragrant, were
marked with a keen eve, seized eagerly
upon as the subjects Of invicious ccna-
llqent, heightened, extended and maonlhed
into the .snost OUTRAGE Qua acts Of domineer-
imp power. And whatever might have been
the sctusl stipulaticns in the treaty rejected
gly oul- executive, the unfavorabIe sQnti-
nlents Of a large and respectable part CT the
community, originating in the nnseenly
complexion OF past circumstances, had pre-
pared them for placing the worst possible
construction, upon its non-acceptance and
when the measures Of the executive Of a re-
public are SO wrapped in mystery as to offer
no explanation OF themselves Or when
those which are discovered, are found to
resi,itate against It's declared interests, it is
only justice, that they should lieopen to chs
attacks ofreproaoh and ohloqny.
Ia perfect consistence ND. the acts which
preceded il, and evidently forming con-
meeting Ink IN the great chain of anti
commercial measures, is that salient spring,
the embargo, ofdeclamasion and reproach,
ct poverty, misery and eontempf. Up
on subject on which attention has been
wearied, it would appear needless TO be
stow comment, or to give an opinion,
other than should express, iii new phrase,
our adherence, scorn and detestatlon, ct
lie measure. 1t is only here mentioned,
because il would have been improper to pre-
termit procedure, which must SO evident
y demonstrate disposition and a design,
10 change the pursuits OF q whole people, to
new-model their state, and TO fix il upon
new basis, and determination for the &C
coinriishment of this design, to press ihro'
The united force OF all difficulties, to resort
to the most violent electives, to stand UP iii
opposition to the feelings and the prejudices,
the passions and interests OF nation. Whe-
tier this laudable and petite design will
receive its proper compensation in the con-
tempt Of our citizens, and sink away into
deserved irsiguihcance, or wl.e,,,1er it viii
be prosecuted, win all the rash ardor of
enthusiastic reformers, nntil the oppression
and misery OF the community shall proti-
cede it to severe revenge upon It's sup
Iorters, is a point which remains to be de-
termiaed. The crisis cannot be very dis
tant.
Can it be, that our rulers are yet to learn
the most important lesson Of political eco
nomy !! That after all The Improvements