The Delaware gazette. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1809-1810, 1809-10-11

n,cnt Of Our dt'e,chees anh Spain. 10 ato,r-
Louisiana, a possession, which, whether W.
consider the means by which il was obtain.l
the evils which the mode of its acquisition van.
qushed or the effects it has already produced
with those which remain to ens,c, is destined r.,
throw an unfading beam of glory on Mr.. Jef,e,.
son. 1t may really be questioned, whether H.,
annals of history present AN analogous instance
of such brilliant concurrence OF foresight. for.
,itude and good fortune.
All was now tranquil except in the Metiter.
ranean. There our little navy, called upon n
do its duty, promptly inflicted upon the pirate,
a chastisement which has ever since kept thrm
in complete subsection; SO that now even En-
gland herself, with her gigantic Aotilla and
boundless treasure, does not enjoy more per.
feet exemption from their depre.la,ons than We
do. MOI it be questioned, but that thi,
signal proof of naval prowess has convinced Eu-
ropean nations OF our ability, whenever we shall
deem il expedlent, to embark a force on the
ocean which shall be even formidable to them.
We come now to the more recent measures
of the government and the causes which gave
birth to them. There is no man who will he.
state to admit that, at the close OF the year
1907, an impcrious necessity was imposed up
on the government to adopt some decisive mea-
sures. The Still unatoned outrage on the
Chesapeake, our captive seamcn every day
swelling IN number, orders and DEGREES expos.
ing to capture and contiscaton by far the great
est part OF our vessels and tIeir cargocs, PRO-
duccd loud call from the whole nation for re-
dress or vengeance. With this popular scnti-
ment the government had the ca,.s in Their
own hands, and could have carried the nation
into war with the greatest ease. Indeed the
f.t,lu xly ltt,xI
But, with temperance, rarely found in cali.
nets, the decision was made IN favor of peace.
and the embargo adopted as the only reman-
ing measure, that was at once efficient and i'm
partial. Never was a measure more virtuous-
| ly taken. Those who advised it knew very
well the opposition it would excite, and its con-
scquent effects upon their own popularity -
| But there are seasons wh,n consequences
ought not to be calculated, and when personal
party cons derations ought to be disdaintullv re-
| lected. Under the patriotic impression, MIR.
Jefferson, relying on the virtue aat discern
mcnt OF the people, proposed the embargo. -.
This confidence was, unfortunately, misplaced
"A large portion OF them were deluded, and en-
cited an opposition SO formidable as TO neutra-
| Use the effects which would Otherwise have in
| disputiby flowed from it. 1t was abandoned
amidst the regrets o! the most enlightened and
ylrtuous part OF TIE community. For the CT.
frcts Of this REIMBURSEMENT Mr.. Jefferson and
his friends are not answerab!e. They opposed
it with all their might, and only adopted the
system OF non-intercuurse, when every chnncs
Tor the Continuance Of the embargo was lost.
Had The embargo been maintained we hav.
almost positive proof that it would have brou., HI
our enemes to terms. 1t is now Certain tina,
the expectation of its continuance produced III,
favorable arrangement made with Nh. Err
, skine. II the mere expectation had this eff. C.
what might we not have Obtained from the Ger
tainty of its duration?
, With the cursory notice Of one other top
we Shall conclude. From the commencement
to the close OF MIR. Jeticrson's administrator
there has not been ce,!ed solitary iigh, O. pre-
oga,ivc Of sovereignty or neutrality. Notwit1
standing the colossal power of France and In
4 gland, nothing has been yielded to either b.
= rigid justice. They have, ii is true, fragrant.
violated our rights; bu, it has been the violatio
OF force, against which We have steadily PIE
> tested. No present boon has been ingloloui
~ y purchased with surrender Of permanent If
>. tcrest. Thus, if we have not boldly resis,e
:, our enemies, we have cherished all the NEAR
of eventually asserting oui rights with unsull
:, ed honor.