Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-12-19

II, then, the French were the first ag
gressors, and if the British orders, which
are the counterpart Of those Of the govern
ment OF France, were not passed until one
year of acquiescence, on the part of our ru-
lers, Is i reasonable and fair to couple those
two nations together, as being equally hos
tile to this country9
Further, if an unauthorized attack upon
one ofour national vessels, were a sufficient
cause for excluding all British ships Of war
from our narbours and ports, was it not al
SO proper, that the tati,sg, pttaldering, sink
ing, and burning Of our vessels by the order
ofthe French Emperor, should have indu-
ced our government to adopt similar mea-
sure with regard to France
We inquire again, whether there be not
disposition in our rulers, to excuse or con
ceal the insults and injustice offered us by
France and studied effort to give high
colouring to the mal-conduct Of the En-
glish'
We have, indeed, lately, a shozv Of OPEN
ness in the administration they haYe con-
descended 10 publish some ofthe letters be-
tween Mr.. Madison and Gen. Armstrong,
and between the latter and the French min
ister But it turns out, that these are parts
Of letters, and extracts Of letters, whilst
much is still kept from the public eye.
Another inquiry arises. Can il be deni-
ed, that the Emperor Of France has treated
the proposition of our rulers with contempt
that he has dictated to our government,
and that he has declared he win consider
US as enemies, except we win become his
humble and submissive ally Can it be
denied, that the English, though they have
adopted measures aimed at France, which
might operate iniuri6usly TO our commerce
(but this only because Of our previous OBJ
sequiousness to the arbitrary conduct of
their enemy have given many proofs Of a
desire to preserve peace with our country
on honorable terras They cannot indeed
repeal their orders, until the French frs
rescmd theirs. They cannot in Justice to
themselves, permit their own citizens to de-
sert the service Of their country. But are
they not ready to place this subject on the
same footing land even better) on which
It stood under the administration of Wash
lngton, which gave such unexampled pros
peri'y to the commerce Of our nation Are
they not ready 70 acknowledge the error Of
the wrong committed BY the attack on our
public armed vessel, and to make honora-
Pie PREPARATION for the injury Have they,
notwithstanding their orders, captured and
condemned those of our vessels Engaged
~ lawful commerce) which were out long
after the embargo was known by them -
And i il not highly probable, that they
would negotiate on fair and just conditions,
and De on friendly terms with America, if
our government would meet them with can
dor and magnanimity
Where, then, is the necessity, either of
continuing the embargo, or waging war
both with France and England, as it is pre-
tended by our rulers
Let US endeavor to maintain peace with
both nations, if consistent with our rights &
honor. Ifthis is impossible, and vet Eng
land IS practically disposed, why fear to ne
gociate with her Why madly irritate her,
because we can no longer enjoy the gra-
cious friendship Of Bonapartel
4 REPIIRI