Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1809-12-11

tin6 but such as relates to Congress.
----rs -
WE this day lay before our readers
President Madison's Message, at the
opening OF the present session of Con-
gress.
This communication has excited
considerable astonishment and disap-
pointment in those who had flattered |
themselves with an idea that the pres |
ent Executive would hold an equal bal
ance between England and France
Two thirds of Mr.. Madison's Message
consists oil invectiyes against England,
and only sic lines is employed in sta
ting to the public the situation of our
affairs with France, and even these in
somewhat equivocal terms.
We mean not in this TO be under
stood as in any degree to palliate or
apologize for the injuries we have suf-
fered or the wrongs committed on the
part of Great Britain But we did ex-
pect to see the Executive of the United
States, when indulging in the tone of
indignation on foreign aggresslons that
! some part OF il would have been appli-
ed to the government of France, which
for series of years has pursued sys-
tenn of plumber, cruelty, and injustice
towards the property and citizens OF
this country, in violation of her most
solemn engagements, secured 20 us by
a treaty now in existence between the
two countries. No notice is taken of
the renewed determination of Bona.
parte to persist in the enforcement Of
his unjust DEGREES, or of the repeated
| instances of his capturing and destroy
lag our vessels at sea. If it is the de-
termination of the ruling party to pur-
sue system of policy which must in-
evitably involve the country in war
with England, and thereby throw US in
to the embraces of Bonaparte The
plan is well laid and only wants follow
ing up to effect the object.
In addition to the foregoing, We sub
! join the following remarks from The
| Dootob odESttt
The first idea with which the mind is i'm.
pressed by perusal of tins speech, is, that
it is dictated by a guarded moderation,
which has led the writer into such general
expressions. that the particular views of the
Administrations are no where mfolded. The
President certainly does not recommend ypay
Ssifh both nations-but he speaks of :" the
wisdom of the legislature being again sum-
moaed to the important decision of the az
fsznatiors before them" What alternatives
! these are he does not suggest but the ex-
! preston again summoned" seems TO i'm
ply, that these alternatives are, WAR and
EMBARGo. We anxiously hope the as sis-
dom" of the congress of the most " enlight-
oned nation upon EARTH" will conduct then
To some result, more conclusive OF their sa.
| pience, than can be discovered in the en-
bargo law, and its spawn of supplements,
| which the last congress so shamefdily en-
acted.
The arguments of the President upon the
subject Of the dsavowal BY the British gov
eminent of Mr.. Erskine's arrangement,
| will strike every one with surprise since
| it is on all sides admitted. that the instruc-
tons received by the British minister from
lis government were not only not complied
with in his subsequent adjustment, but the
| very basis on which these instructions were
| grounded, was oyerthrown.
| Ii appears, that the limits of Mr.. Jack
sons authority did not extend TO explana-
tons relative to the arrangement made by
| Mr.. Erskine. and yet the difficulties that oc-
! Cured in the correspondence upon which
" n soas required that no further communion
| irons should be ,eeeiSet from him." resulted
entirely from disagreement upon tins We
! ry subject, about which neither OF the par
ties were treating. From the nature of Mr.
| Jackson's powers, il is clear that our gov
ernment tpoula have found IL inlpossible to
have concluded an arrangement which
could satisfy the democratic parry; and per-
| haps under such an impression, 1t was poll.
| cy Tor them to avail themselves of the first
| opportunity, 10 render our already accumu-
| lated difficulties, more difficult to adjust.
The situation of this country never
appeared more gloomy than at the
present moment--What the result will
be will depend much on the proceed.
ings in Congress. From the manner
in which the negotiation with Mr..
Jackson has been broken off, there is
not the least probability that any adjust
ment will take place with England for
long time, if ever. If we can form
an opinion from what the President has
said respecting France, the prospec,
from that quarter is no better. The
only alternative left, is to prepare for
the worst.
The publication Of the documents
respecting the arrangement entered IN
To with Mr III Ching. and lis disaNnMal.