Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-10-19

The President has the power to take On 'lle
embargo, should circumstances occur to JUS
tifvit; but the non-importation act must
continue until the meeting of congress IN
November.
TheinteEigence from Portugal is not very
interesting. Portugal has not displayed that
energy which might have been expected.-
Junot still holds out. A body of 1900 men
with gen. Loison, lately joined him at LIS
bon, they marched from Almeida, 800 miles
distant from Lisbon, without opposition,
through difficult country.
While many of our contemporaries seem
to hail the probability of war between
Austria and France, we trust we may be
permitted to enquire what viii be the pro-
babe result Of the contest. The sober rea-
soner, who takes plain matter OF fact and
experience for his guide, will hesitate before
he admits that war between these two pow
>ers is an event for Europe in her present cir
cumstances, and especially for England to
rejoice at; he will not only hesitate to adj
nit this, but we are much mistaken if by
enquiry he is not led to quite contrary O.
pinion.
There is not the slightest prospect OF any
assistance being afforded her by her neigh
bors. Prussia is buried ii: the dust, power-
less and politically dead. Russia could not
contribute 100, OOOfnen to the coalition ; she
has been bafhed and defeated in her attempt
upon Sweden and what is more, IS com
pletely governed by the politics of France
from such a power it would be little better
than insanity to expect the dellverance OF
Europe. Sweden may possess a will, oat
where is her ability? Denmark has been
driven into the arms Of France, what can
be expected from her? 1t is then evident,
that if Austria fights, she must fight alone,
or without other assistance than what our
gold can give her. Nov what is her pros
pecto OF success in such contest! We are
told she has 4o0, 900 well appointed men IN
arms. So we were ted when Mr.. Pitt lur-
ed her into the last fatal coalition. But the
end proved that we were told false, and what
likelihood is there Of the truth OF this state
ment, when the great cause OF the Jealousy
of Bonapa,te is said to be her present exer-
tons in completing her military establish
ment? But allowing this to be true, where
are her officers to command them !! Has she
dismissed ali the paltoons whose coward1ce
shone SO conspicuously on the plains ct Aus
terlitz, and filed their places with men e.
qual in discipline and experience to the
French officers who opposed them? This
she has pot done nor been able 70 Go. low
ever large her army may be, it is mass OF
;,,e.r,a.ia fre' = o.
ere OF the same breed IS those who be3ore
preferred the safety OF their o,rn persons to
the military glory Of their coutltGv; and to
complete the disheartening outline, her
councils are still, filed with the same cabal
that has before LED her to the brink Of ruin,
who are sc far from gaining wisdom BY ex-
pericnce that they still look upon the arch
duke Charles With an evil eye, and will a.
gain commit their armies to Mack, rather
than to the only general that IS capable Of
commanding them.
Such being the gloomy opinion which we
cannot help forming Of tie means Of sue
ceasfai hostslities Gu the part Of Austria, we
must look with fear and trembling to con-
tcss with the armies Of France, not On pa
per, but really numerous and well disciplin-
Cd, commanded by officers Of cons,Hanate
skill, whom years c! service have elevated
to the rans thev ho,d-and under the direc-
ton Of military talents such as these Of b.
naparte. II Austria were an undivided
country like Spain, and its people animated
with the spirit Of liberty, we should hope.
Batalas Ii their language contains the
word liberty, it is like a cabaistic sound Of
which the people know not the meaning
they cannot feel they have a country, nor
distinguish between forms Of government.
They care not whether Francis the II. or
Napoleon reigns over them, and they viii
J. :