Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1808-03-10

+
Hyades, of Saco Maine) bound from, Charles
ton to Cowes, laden with rice, &c. prize to,
the Savage privateer, who also had taken an
American ship from Philadelphia to Amster-s
dam, who had touched at the isle Of sYigllt..
!. This last is sent to Dunkirk.
Extract ofa letter from a reshect table gentleman
IA Afngsson, jamaica 10 the editor Of the
PHILADELPHIA True .aoserzcan, dated
FEBRuARY $.
aI wrote to you about three weeks ago,
mentioning the rise of flour and other Ameri-
can produce, in consequence Of the embargo.
+ They have continued to rise in price, but not
so rapidly as was expected, owing to the ar.
rival OF one or two vessels from the United
States, which have cvaded tho vigilance OF the
government; and Io5serYe that the papers of
this morning mention vessel having arrived
at Curacao from the United States which
sailed as late as the 9Th uit. bringing intelli-
gence of the American government having
declared war against rance, and that the en-
barge was to be taken off in March. This
vessel is said tobe fre ighted with 100 barrels
Of flour, but as a good price cannot be procur-
ed at Curacao, 10 consequence Of there be-
ing 5000 barrels there before she arrived
She is coming to this place. II the intelli-
gence stated tohsre been brought by this yes-
sci be true, which very much doubt twill
produce a fall IN the market here for A.neri-
can produce, that will prove the strength Of
some az TIE mercantile houses here, as they
have. specialized scry lsrgely in American pro- /
duce, particularly flour. :"
Letter fsasn the Attorney general sccompa-
nyins The hi u. punish censpiraeies to COM
nit treason asaipsttbe Uniled States, pre- 4
scented the seeond q -Alarch.
SIP
The Qasss.5us pr0posed III your letter of
the 2stil 1islaao, embrace an Important and !
tslisate subject. have giyen. them that con-
sideration they Justly merit, and respectfully
submit the result Of NY reflections.
ahe sentiment expressed by an able and
enlightened writer, that every punishment
which isnot absolutely necessary for the peace
or safety of society is unjust, | believe to be
perfectly correct. When revising any part of
the penal code, for the purpose. of discovering
its defects, ane Of enlarging the sphere of cri-
lai'.ei;ty, VIC .shou.s proceed with caution snd
prudence; and we should not add to the cata-
logue ofoGcnces unless on sufficient grounds
Feeling the Just sinauence.of these remarks
aDd1reucsant as aulato encrease the list of
crimes, think experience has evincedathe
necessity CT some further provisions, to pre-
serve the .pcacepf the United States against
the enterprises Of designing and ambitious
men.
The next question imposes a task more |
'ditaficult TIE mode in which the deficiency
May be efrectaaly remedied. This subject
opens q vide field for discussion, and admits
Of great iserslty cfopinion.
It's with no@ -rso.aI satisfaction that pro-
pose to the consideration Oft the committee the
proprety Of pQaishing combinations and con-
spiraciss for the plrpose OF committing trea-
son ags.s.st the United States. The ccasti-
futon has wisely defined the crime OF trea-
son !; but il mast he. obvious that before this
crirnesis consummated by an overt act Of le-
syYiag. war, the public peace may be disturb
ed End the public safety endangered by the
previous preparations Tor such an event.
ThoughIn yariaas parts Of the union conspi-
rstors who inseatl the destuction Of cur 60
vernment, are preparing the means to accom-
plisa their object By providing arms, arnmu-
milton, and ,Wariike stores, they are subject
to 10 punishment to the existing laws, unless
war .3as actually been levied BY them against
the u. States. It would seem therefore es-
sential TO the preseryas.on Of the pubIiv peace
that a conspiracy to commit treason against
The u. States, should be punished in such
manaefas will be nnoss. likely to reform the
criminal. and.to deter others from the con-
mission of the. same offence Perhaps a pro-
per part Of. the Judgment would be to render
offenders Incapable of holding any Office OF
honor, profit or trust under that government
which they combined TO destroy.