Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-15
g9istrlIanson5 @eiertiOns.



The sdminstrsi i0nl prints at once destroy
e,cir Ell acy d. declaring them to pro-
coed from systematic opposition Let US
ST. what taev VIII msSe OF the following
iutlicieus observations on the subject,
ayrittea by a demacF.l.o of sons distinction,
aud Wiz us ieeB beli.,d nons Of his
eee,peers IN the abuse of federalism. We
base seen nothiag on the subject bette,
calcul.ac1 20 sAew the impolicy Of that
measure, or s inadequacy to The end
proposed Fedrd!lst.
Extract Of a letter from MATHEW LYON,
Nc TO his friead in Kentucky.
GIncloged you have the National In
teIigencer Of the Esd ult. which con-
tains the embargo law, and Mr. Smiths
statement Of the proceedings Of con-
gress thereon. You viii perceive there
by that / voted against the bill, on
(which sheuld have made no comment,
nor on my opposition to it, had not
that paper Contained string of obser-
vations ctnsuring my vote, and calling
on those who opposed the bill to give
praise, glory and confidence to its sup
porters.
1t is there called a strong measure.
must confess il is 50, as it respects
the sacrifice Of individual property, AMI
credit; it is a strong measure, as il re-
spects the diminution of our revenue
and national resources; but consider
ed It weak, as 1t respects Great Britain,
against whom, according to Mr.. Smith,
it is most pointed; although the presi-
dents message and the communication
on which the embargo is founded, say
nothing about embargoing a. ainst the
British. While they can obtain a share
OF provisions for their NVest-lndia pos
sessions, from Canada and Nova-Scotia,
and lumber in abundance while our
coasting vessels, carrying provisions
from one port to another, may be
BLOWN OFT, as ihey call it, and reach
1he West Indies; while British vessels
may come into our ports in ballast, ta-
king in their load from coasters at sea !;
iheir West-india islands will not starve
they will be supplied at an extrava-
giant price, Pocketed by unprincipled
adventurers, at the same time the A
Tnerican farmer will be obliged to sell
his produce for little or nothing, for
want Of an open market : this measure
IN my opinion, was neither called for
nor adapted to this crisis. The only
new Circumstance that has occurred, is
the determination Of Bonlpartc to com
pei his decree Of fthe 2lst Of November,
1906, to be vigorously observed, accor-
ding TO It's plain and literal meaning,
regardless Of The treaty existing be-
tween this natioa and France. It is
not pretended that he can injure our
commerce essentially, while lis Ships
are Shut up in his own ports and there
Is no evidence Of the British govern
ment acting towards Us on any new
system Of prUvocation. IF the state Of
things has been altered between that ma
ton and this, since the commencement
oF the session Of congress, il is for tnt
better. The proclamation contem
plates no new claim-It gives up the
right Of searching our ships of w4r for
their seamen, which previously was q
matter OF doubt and whils it takes
high grou1d, it charges those who
search our merchant ships for British
seanen. to behave themselves better
then heretofore, and il does not say that
Wnen assured that their seanen shall be
gwen mp by this government, they will
hot weld this prcpostcrous claim. Ne
gociltions arc still peuding-the Brit
ish government have sent minister
extraordinary here, to make atonemcnt
Tor Tie attack On the Chesapeake Il is
SO Sad by the British minister, and
doubted by 80 one. 1t is expected that
he, IN conjunction with Mr. Erskine,
mas ample powers to settle all matters
IN dispute; dis appears TO be the wish,
a not the rope Of every one who would
prefer an honorable peace to a long con-
tlnued, bloody and expensive war. No
Crisis had arrived 10 Wstify the meas
ure, nor was il called for by anv Darty
Or any portion Of the community. In
All the addresses to the president and
10 congress, not word 10 | recolIect
about an embargo.
am no apologist for Britain nv
blood boils when | reflect on the many
insults and injuries she has done this
country. But previous to the attack on
tne Chesapeake, VIC had Sent minister
% endeavor to settle our disputes with
: ~ess' Britain, and since that, fresh ne