Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-07-19

Of undisguised hostility, which quickly pro-
elnced ! war. Before its commencement,
however, they had plundered Us OF twenty
millions worth Of property, Tor when vs. 8.
have never yet received the smallest rein y,
neration. But France, finding that she had
then as many European enemies as she could
conveniently cope with, and wishing tor the
convenience of our neutral flag, at length
concluded a peace with America.
Since that time she has advanced BY rapid
strides towards universal dominion lntile old
world. and casting her eyes upon the new,
she has revived the plan, OF making US sub
servient to her. ambitious schemes. Her
emperor is exceedingly anxious g form q
close connexion with America. Ihe hrst
object of this unnatural alliance IS the de-
struction of Great Britain. He does not at
tempt to disguise his hatred against that gal
liant nation, whose power opposes mighty
barrier to his plans Of conquest. lie has
exhausted all the tricks Of diplomacy, in an
attempt to induce America to become his
ally--to assist him in the noble work of de-
stroying the last remnant Of European liber-
g. Finding, however, that the spirit OF the
American people revolts at SO unnatural
connexion, he is determined to- farce us into
war with Great Britain. Among the least
of his aggrsssions may be mentioned the
burning OF every American vessel which is
so unfortunate as to meet with his squadrons
on the ocean, a thing unprecedented among
civilized nations. His infamous DEGREES
}conGscating every American vessel which is
found sailing t0wa,ds British port, or
which has been visited by British ship OF
war, form the next step in this iniquitous Sc
ries. The insolent letter* OF Champagny,
the successor of Talleyrand, caps the CHI
max. Translated into plain English, it
reads thus France can no longer permit
the q. States to enjoy in peace the wealth
acquired by industry and enterprise. She
therefore commands them to enter into the
grand con- ederacg-to submit, as the repub-
lies of the old world have already done, to
the dominion of France, and assist her in
conque,ing the only nation in Europe which
has the spirit to defend its rights. Obedi-
ence to this commandw will no doubt occasion
few transient 'nconoenaences, such as the
destruction of commerce, the loss Of liber-
ty, &c. &c. but it must be obeyed.- The
immediate consequence of disobedience will
be the confscation of ali the American pro-
perty which the emperor has seoutstered,
and which he retains as pledge for the exc,
cution by the United States Of all his or
dels."
Are the freeborn sons of America pre-
pared to hear with indifference language
such as this? If they are, they deserve to
be, and will be, the slaves of NAPOLEON
But MOTT cannot be. The spirit of the nation
will soon be aroused; it will prepare to as
sert in arms the independence which our fa-
Tiers obtained. United America, armed In
just cause may bid lhe world defiance
But if eventual subjugation were the inevi-
table consequence Of resisting the tyranny
OF France, we ought at once to determine
that s'it is better 70 die freemer,, than to live
slaves"
Such an issie, however, is not to be ap-
pretended. Napoleon wiz find it a work Of
no common difficulty to convey his leg,oes
across the Atlantic, in defiance of the Bri-
tish navy. And if they should violate with
hostile footsteps these happy shores, they
VIII hnd that one or two victories will not
decide, as among the slaves Of Europe, the
fate of an empire. 4 they defeat lis, by
superior discipline, at Thrasymene, at IRE
bia, and at Gamma, they will discover, that
like the Romans Of old, we will not even
then despair Of the republic. Taught to
conquer by long series of battles, we shall
at length expel from our country these enc
mics OF the human race.
But whatever be the event we should be
always ready to exclaisn with Hotspur,
---. The tine Of life is short,