Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-02-16

n,eans of information -were they less
blinded by their interest" less sactuatea
by prejudice or stimulated by resentments
than the political savior Of his country and
his compatriots Whence then " the mis-
representations, groundless suspicious, VI
client and indiscrin1inate abuse thrown up
on men who had CHIT TO call tor : union
in support of their measures-upon men
who had given to the public "the proof OF
their talents, zeal and labors TO serve
and render their country great and hap
py:"
aware of the 7" effects of past arrangements"
had not the wisdom or magpanlmity to a
dept them. They have ventured upon new
expsdients-and are responsible to their
country for the distressing results.
Your honor is pleased to enquire eff we
could not wait with magaanimous patience,
and endure privations few months longer,
and give to government one fair unimpeded
experiment upon foreign nations:
The administration has indeed been
"pressed to the very WALL" and we know
not how much g further" they would ere
treat" if they could.
But, may it please your honor, we have
seen as little of Esprit" as Of policy in tie
embargo system-we know that the emper-
or approves, if he did not dictate the mea-
surc-we know that G.. Britain receives i'm
mense advantage from the surrender to her
of the whole trade of the world-and We
cannot imagine why the people should be
called upon to "endure privations" any
longer, unless the administration, having
failed tc operate On the fears or interests
of the C warning powers" expect ere
long to obtain some rslet from their COM
passion.
We most heartily concur with your ho-
nor, " that there is point In national sen;
sibilitv, as in the feelings OF men, where
patience and submission end. !" And wj.en
that crisis shall arrive, your honor may rest
assured that the people Of New England
6 will Gas you have been pleased TO saw raj
" round the national constitution" But,
sir they viii not cling to an ad.ninistra-
ton which has brought them 10 the brink
of destruction-they will not keep their
hold in the extremity Of its exit, nor "s;nk
with it into the frightful abyss No, Sir
The people Of Massachusetts will not will
lingly become the victims to fruitless expe-
riment.
We shall be ready at all times with you
stto cherish the interests CT literature, es-
peciaIly the University at Cambridge and
the sentiment which your honor has pleased
to advance, that "no crisis should arrest
the progress of the arts and sciences" meets
our concurrence.
We shall endeavor to fEd remedy for
the C accumulation ofdepreciated and coun-
,-rfeit bank bills" to which your honor has
been pleased to call Our attention.
Touching the n,ilitia--we csnnot conceal
our regret, that the administration Of the
general government has not discovered that
dependence upon an establishment" which
your honor is pleased Justly to observe IS
c SO preferable to standing army i'll time
of peace, y 6 and to which the constitution
looks with confidence for tie defence OF
our country" We regard that institu-
ton at once with prise and with confidence
and We agree with your honor that it
g can never want the patronage ola provi-
dent legislature" surely not in times ct pc
ril like these. Your honor Was pleased to
anticipate difference Of opinion, but we
beg you to s rest assured of our solicitude
sss;duity, and best endeavors to promote
what from" our town convictions shall ap-
pear most conducive to the good of the
whole" And we join with your honor in
the wish, that the wisdom which is from
above, which is gentle and easy to be en-
treated" may lead in our councils" but
we fervently pray moreover, that not only
our conduct, but that of the general 90.