Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1808-05-27

tofROtteO, out the very aSScEtlOA Oh our
rights is to be branded with odium-Im.
Observation-Disclosures oxa.
Hon-Every thing that can distinguish a
national vassalage, is to be Surrendertd
at discretion. In the face of every fact
We are told to believe every profession
In the midst If every ind;gniy, We are
pointed to British protection as our only
shield against the universal conqueror.
Every phantom Of jealousy aud tear is
ehvoked-The image Of France with a
scourge in her hand is impressed in the
service, to lash US into the refuge of O.
bedience TO Observation-Disclosures are 6.
ven made that IL Britain -" with her thou
sand ships Of war;" has NOT DESTROYED
her commerce, it has been owing to her
indulgence, and we are almost threaten
cd in her name with the destruction Of
our iairest cities"
Not one act Of hostility to Britain has
been committed by US, she has no, a
pretence Of that kind to alledge-Bu, If
she will wage war upon Us. are-ws q do
nothing in our own defence! IF she is
sues orders Of universal plurdrr Upon
our commerce, are We not to withhold it
from her grasp! Is American p,llage
one Of those rights which she has claim.
ed and exercised until we are lore closed
from any attempt to ebstruet its collec-
ton! For what purpose are we requir.
ed to make this sacrifice of every thing
that can give vaor to the name Of free
dom. this abandonment Of the very right
of self preservation Is it to avoid
war ALAS! sF, It does no. offer even
this plausible Plea. for pusillanimity-
For, as submission would make US to all
substantial purppses British colonies, her
enemies would Internationally treat US
as such, and AFR Degrading ourselves
in voluntary selvitude to escape a war
with her, we shpuld incur inevitable war
with all her enehies, and be doomed to
share the destiues Of her conflict with
a world in arms
Between this Unqualified submission,
aud offensive resistance against the war
upon maritime neutrality wag-d by the
concurring DEGREES Of all the great belli.
gerent powers, the embargo was adopt
ed, and has been hitherto continned.-
So far was il from being dictated by
France, that it was calculated to with.
draw, and has Withdrawn from within
her reach, all the mrans of com pulsion
which her subsequent DEGREES would
have put in her POSSESSION. It b.. adj
ded to the motives both Of France aud
England, for preserving peace with US,
aud has diminished their induce ments to
war. 1t has 1essened their, Capacities of
inaieting injury upon US, and given US
some preparation for resistance to them
1t has taken from their violence rhe lure
Of inserest--It has dashed the philtef o.
Pillage from the lips Of rapine. That it
is distressing to ourselVes-that it calls
for the fortitude of the people, -ds.ermin.
ed to maintain their rights, is not to be
denied. But the only alternative was
between that and war. Whether it will
yet save Us from that calamity, cannoebe
determined. but if not, it will prepare
US for the further struggle to which we
may be called. It's double tendency of
peace and preparing for war,
in its oPeration upon both the belligereut
rivals, is. the great advantage, which
more than outweigh all its evils.
Ifany statesman can point out smother
alternative, I am ready to hear him, and
for any practicable expedient, to lend
him every possible assistance. But let
not that expedient be, submission to
trade under British licences and British
taxation. We are told that even under
these restrictions we may yet trade to the
British dominionS, TO Africa and Ghina,
and with the colonies Of France, SSain
and Holland. Task not how much of
this trade would be left. when our inter
course with the whole continent of In.
rope being cut off would leave Is no
means, Of purchase. and no market for
sale IL ask not what trade We could en-
10Y with the colonies of natiors ,,;.h