Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-09-27

by an act lately paSSSu 10 regulate INC
trade between this country and America,
we observe that the duty on, American cot
ton imported in American ships will be
higher than before by about penny per ID.
In English ships it remains the same, say
16s. 10 1-ed. per 100 lbs. while in American
it will be 25s. sd. Ashes in American
ships Will pay about IS. per cwt. more than
before, in the whole As. Sd. and timber by
this act will be liable to about four times the
former duty"
PRESIDENT JEFFERSON's ANSWER
10 7RE
DISSENT OF THE REPUBLICANS
FYon: tie proceedings fthe tom Of BOSTON
relative TO The Embargo.
have duly received the address Of that
portion Of the citizens Of Boston, who have
declared their appreciation OF the present
suspension OF our commerce, and their dis
sent from the representation of hose OF the
same place who wished its removal. A di~
vision OF sentiment was not Unexpected
On no question can perfect unanimity be
hoped, or certainly it would have been on
that between war and embargo, The only al
ternatives presented to our CHOICE; for the
general capture Of our vessels would have
been war on one side, which reason and in
tcrest would repel by war and reprlsal On
our part.
Of the several interests composing those
of the United States, that OF manufactures
would of course prefer to war, state OF
non-intercourse, SO favorable to their rapid
growth and prosperity. Agriculture, al
though sensibly feeling the loss Of market
for it's produce, would find many aggrava-
tons in state of war. Commerce and ma
yipation, or that portion which is foreign,
in the inactivity to which they are reduced
bv the present state of things, certainly ex-
perience their full share in the general IN
convenience: but whether war would to
them be a preferable alternative, is cues
ton their patriotism would never hastily
propose. It is to be regretted, however,
that overlooking the real sources OF their
suffering, the British and French edscts,
which constitute the actual blockade OF Our
foreign commerce and navigation, they have
with too little reflection, imputed them to
laws which have saved them from greater,
and have preserved for our own use orr
vessels, property and seamen, instead OF
adding them to the strength OF those with
whom we might eventually have to con-
tend.
The Embargo, giving to the belligerent
powers to reserve their unjust proceedings,
and to listen to the dictates Of justice, of In
terest and reputation, which equally urge
the correction of their wrongs. has availed
our country Of the only honorable expedient
of avoiding war; and should repeal of
these edicts supercede the cause for it, our
commercial brethren will become sensible
that it has consulted their interests, however
agaist their own will. 1t will be unfortu-
nate for their country if in the mean time,
these their expressions Of impotence should
have fac effect Of prolonging the very suf-
ferings which have produced them, by ex-
citing a fallacious hope that we may, under
any pressure, relinquish our equal right of
navigating the ocean, so to such ports as o.
theirs may prescribe, and there pas the tri-
butary exactions they may impose an a
abandonment of national independence and
essential rights, revolving to every man
ly sentil. ent. While these edicts are in
force, no American can ever consent to a re-
turn of a peaceable intercourse With those
who maintain them.
/ am happy in the approach of the period
when the feelings and the wisdsm of the ma
ton will be collected in their representatives
assembled together. To them are commit
ted our rights, to them our wrongs arc
known, and they will pronounce the remedy
they call for and I hear with pleasure froya