Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-09-28

iilent, by ShrOudlhS thCiiiosivSo uii. ..- -
c,,t;ve Recommendation to legislate Tor one
foreign government at the expence OF ano-
ther: and we can no longer possibly toreear
70 saw. that the continual series OF secret de-
alterations in the two last sessions OF con-
Dress. afford no omen to Us ct national lnte-
or;;tv within the secret hall we believe the
most dishonorable transactions have arisen,
and that the people have been absolutelypre-
vented from seeing those circumstances
most intimately connected with their polltl-
cal safety and preservation; for, although we
do not deny the propriety OF the clrcum-
stance Of government being sometimes dis
posed of with secrecy, yetwe cannot posi-
Div contemplate that there ever has been or
ever Will be cause for the councils OF tree
neonle to be SO entirely enveloped In. mystic
~. as the affairs of America have been
It was not a principle Of the Washington
administration TO encircle us IN such dark
ness as this for, upon one occasion only,
can we remember that the doors. OF congress
were ever Shut more than tor one hour or
two-we well recollect that even that cir
cnn,stance was deemed unwholesometo the
liberties of the people. Under these m
press;ons, actuated as we most solemniy dc.
clare ourselves to De, by no consideration OF
PARTY measures, and personal dislike to you,
but governed as we are by that zeal tor the
prosperity of our country, SO lncumbentup-
on it's guardians to maintain and preserve,
we are emboldened to expect from you,
Sir, as the Supreme Magistrate OF our coun-
try, that decision in Your governmental
sphere that shall prompt you to retrieve to
the country is wonted tree and unrestramed
commerce: and shall restore to lis that pros
| perty in our agricultural operations that IS
! so necessary to the political health OF the
f., GREAT mass of the nation. We in fine, Sir,
! declare to you, that tho we reverence the
| constitution OF our country, and VII forever
maintain die dignity and support OF i've
cannot consent that Legislators, emanatei
! from it, ever Shall tske upon themselves SO
| entirely the majesty OF the peopls: we view
it as altogether transcending the rights they,
wore delegated to preserve, and as we CON
(; slider their guardianship no longer guided
| by the fostering hand that should govern
I their conduct we h&lieve that the people
1 have right now to direct them we there
| fore with the decency becoming a nation OF
! free-men, have presumed to make known
to YOU our grievances, hoping that at the
meeting Of our legislature, if it should be
convokrA earlier rnan it is already by law
established, YOU viii, in the distribution of
/; yoar nsag,sterial duty, cause TO be laid up
Ell the sa5lc ol Congress the following reso-
lutsons.
Res0'yed, That we consider the people Of
! the United States paramount to al authori-
ty delegated to their representatives. and
that they have a right III their indivldal ca
pacity, peaceably to assemble and express
their appreciation or disapprobation OF the
measures e,nanating from, Silelr constituted
authorities.
Pesolved, That we view the whole pas
sage Of tll4 Embargo law impolirc, and its
operation partial, rlsnous and entirely fatal
to the peace and welfare Of the country.
Res0!UeA, That we consider The decree Of
France, il November 1906, as the principal
cause of the countcryailing orders OF Eng
land IL November 8G7, an>. shat therefore
We deem the conduct CT our government IN
decisive as related to the one country, tend
ing 10 relinquish 10 her our rights, and as TO
the other, filed with ali over measure Of
complaint not warranted by our previous
submission.
Rcs9lved, That we view with extreme
concern, an apparent degree of foreign infu-
ence pervadiug our councils, unworthy Of a
magnanimous and independent people.
Resotved, That we view the decisions Of
the late majority in congress as guided too
much BY executive direction, and as having |
been Gin few instances only excepted uni
iormiy directed thereby.
Pco,k,oJ. rT'h,+ wa IaIa1,e Il, tbe 80,