Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-09-03

Ill. y
sequently her existence, depend. ~ TINS
description are believed to be the right o.
search and the right of impressrnent. The
right of search at sea, il sanctioned Dy q
long course'of general susage, and the right
to impress from merchantmen her own sea- e's
men seduced FROM her service, Is supported
by arguments which have not yet been re-
futed. The abuse of thislrightis not defend
ed, and ought to be guarded against but
its use is of the first importance, unless Its
relinuuishment could be compensated by
regulations, which on our part would be
faithfully executed, which would sccure the
restorations Of deserters, and prevent the
employment of her seamen in our merchant
service: the exercise of this rights essen
tial to the manning of those fleets which pro-
tect Great Britain from degree OF oppres-
sion, which might almost effaee from our
memory, the cruelties, the outrages, and the
exactions, of which unoaending Portugal IS
the last wretched victim. We ought not to
wish its relinquishment unaccompanied by
such arrangements, nor ought we to expect
that satisfactory adjustment OF 50 delicate
subject can be made without stipulatlons
which shall secure the execution OF our part
of the contract.
Yetit is understood to be the silence OBJ
served upon these points, and the note OF
the British ministers relative to the Berlin
decree, which are the ostensible motives tor
rejecting, without even consulting the Be-
nate. the treaty lately negotiated with ".
Britain.
The perseverance with which the adrni-
ministration continues to demand, as indis-
pensable to airy treaty, the formal surrender
OF rights essential to the safety OF the Brit
ish nation, IS complete evidence OF deter
mination not 10 conclude a treaty with them,
during the present war. This circumstance
Will make the deeper impression, if Il be re-
collected, that when the mission OF Mr.. Jay
was announced by that great man, who SO
well understoodand SO uniformly pursued
the true interests of his country, ali negocia-
ton with England was reprobated by the
party which now governs the Un:ted States,
as being Justly offensive to France.
Previous to the signature OF this treaty,
the Berlin decree was received. 1t was
made after the victory Of Jena had fixed the
iron yoke OF France on Prussia and the Ger
man empire. Elated with this immense
accession OF power, the exulting conqueror
proclaimed the British dominions in state
of blockade, subjected to capture and con-
dcnlnation all articles ofgrowth or maautac
ture of those dominions, although they
should be the property, aud be in the pos.
session OF neutrals, and closed his own ports
against every vessel which had visited those
OF England.
At his order, thejvassal monarchs around
him, adopted the same measure. A more
aagrant violation of his own solemn engage
nents, or more insulting outrage On the
established rights Of neutrals, and on the
acknowledged law OF nations, is not to be
conceived. Itcould only have proceeded
from man who, feeling his own power, was
not only totally regardless of neutrals, but
was confident that they darednot assert their
rights. It evinces his conviction that the
influence he possessed in their cabinets,
was sufficient to restrain them from resent
ing an injury for which no precedent can be
found in the annals of modern Europe.
The result has shown, that he was not
mistaken. Awed into submission by the
terror he inspired, neutrals have crouched
beneath his uplifted ar,a, and have received
without a murmur, the lash of their master
The direct object Of this attrocious usur-
patton, was Great Britain. Unable to sub
due that last asylum sfnational indepen-
dence and Of human liberty, in Europe,
while defended by her hitherto invincible
fleets, he sought to unman them, BY dr,ing
up the sources of her revenue. One Of tire
most operative means Of eaecting this end,
was the prevention of the use of her manu-
features in foreign countries. The violence
&C The ,,,ena,,,,. The ;n;,,r,- - ;,,n...al -.