Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-07-25
LETTER III.
10 The Editor efthe North -1merieans

SIR, a.c. !
ana an ri.sf 10. iiy,.s advantages which conia
result to neutral nation from the present
tlisordered state Of European politics, have
proved in my last, upon the greatest human
certainty, would have been ours, by con-
tinualce of federal principles IN our general
gcve. nment.
But in opposition to the federal policy,
mast be considered the new doctrine. Up
on this scale it was calculated, that justice
only, towards others, would secure justice
towards ourselves that our moderation
would be- sure antidote to the depravity OF
human nature in other governments Our
forbearance would draw us into the affection
| of all oth.r nations ard thus we We're to
! rest seeft from the troubles and caiamities
| of aturbsllent world. 1t was even urged as
the sAftssssv@ce of an argument, by Flr.. JET
Ierscn, IN one Of his first messages to. con-
9Iess' taat public wealth was dangerous ;
snat Il was a temptation for us to engage ina
war winch wenlght qzlsrMs aveia I, This lh)$s
really admit that such might be the case
when The rulers OF our country are political
y mad bit there is little danger WITH men
OF discretion. a sword in the hands of
luratlc is dangerors both to himself and o.
Tiers; but in the hands Of wise man, it
Is the innocent and ready weapon OF de-
fence.
10 secure complete success to the new po-
hey, 1t is necessary, that tic world should
be virtueus and honest; ard that no en-
croachnltnts should be made upon Cur
rights. But this unfortunately Is not the
case. We are the inhabitants OF wicked
and avaricious world. To grant one plivi-
iege and to submit to one Insult, is proved
BY a thousand Instances, only to BE TIC isvi-
tatisn to others. To proclamation that We
will net dcffaa.-d ourselves or our property
that we will even destroy our implements OF
defence, Is the plainest language for the as
SASH. and the thief.
Now, what has been the proceeding ofefe ;
present ruling party! To effect charge ii +
public men, and there- acquire stations fer
the idea OF e naval or 4 military
force, even to any extent, was deprecatsd.
They loudly proclaimed, long before th@ir
ascension to power, that all such things
should be destroyed ard published TO !.
the world that their calculation was made +
iFon-the correctness Of their proceedings,
g command the justice Of all other na-
Ions.
Accordingly, the first amongst their nea-,
'ures was the destruction of our progressive
neans Of defence. Itbegan by the reserya-
ion OF small sum annually appropriated 70
cquire materials for the marine defence;
he sale of those materials which had been !,
equired; the sale of public vessels at a
,reat sacrifice; the neglect and consequent
INJURY and obstruction of such vessels and {,
Implements as.coAld not be sold; and the !:
aiang OF our taxes by a Mediterranean
und. But all did not satiate their zeal for !,
injury and destruction, They also sold the {.
ubllc bank stock. With these h,nde
queezed out Of the ruins Of our national !,
ienity, and poured into the Golfers Of the :
alton, they pshered forth hypocr;ticaI :
cast, from the highest authority, q an O. :
erdoWlng treasury. and fhe rednc+;o,, >e