Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-02-17

mon, confined by the experience OF the ]
revolutionary war, that in times OF great
peril the remote parts of our country would
require aid from this quarter, instead q be-
imp able 10 afford it. We shall readily COM
plv with the terms of this compact, and
fulfil the stipulations incumbent on US; and
we have Alright to expect at the same time
from the other members of the union,,
constant respect for those rights which we
never surrendered; and attention to those
interests which the national government
was instituted to extend and preserve, not
to destroy.
The people Of this,sta:e have been most
severely disappointed in this expectation.
The commerce of the country has furnished
almost the whole revenue of the U. States;
has given vigor and energy to the govern
ment; has encouraged universal industry,
and rewarded with plenty every description
of people. While this commerce was thus
productive to an unexampled extent, apor-
ton of the general profit should have been
applied to the preparations for its perma-
nent protection /; and when it was unjustly
assailed, the whole power of the nation
should have been exerted for its Defence
The people recollected the glorious exam
pie Of a former administration in 1898, and
they have seen the present administration
resolving all their strength, and all their
energies, to be employed in the annihilatlon
of that commerce which they ought to pro-
tect. By a timid anu unw2rrantable COM
pliance with foreign power, we are sud
denly excluded from the ocean, our trade
| is DESTROYED, our industry paralised, and
poverty and ruin are rapidly overspreadin3
our land. Contemplating this state of things
| and recollecting their views and objects a,
the time of adopting the constitution. the
people do not require any further argument
to convince them, that the primary objects
of that compact are now neglected; that
their most important interests are wanton-
| " sacrificed, and their most essential rights
| Ragransly violated.
( Bat the corn nlittee forbear to pursue these
reflections. 1t is painful to dwell on those
evils and distresses which it is out OF our
power to relieve. The committee are not
at present pr pared to recommend an ade-
quate and satisfactory remedy, which could
be applied by the two houses Of the legisla-
ture alone. The most efici-nt, and per-
haps the only certain remedy, rests with
| the people, who will soon have it III their
power to unite the whole government OF the
state in one joint effort, with other states,
whose interests and objects are similar to
our own, for the support and vine'lcatien OF
their rights by constitutional and peaceatie
means.
The committee, however, being deeply
impressed with the importance of the sub
iect, and anxious if possible, to afford some
temporary alienation to the public distress
ses, ask leave to reserve this object of their
commission for furthe- consideration.
As to the second subject Of these petit
tioEs the danger Of an unnecessary and
ruinous war with one nation, and d stguc-
tive alliance with another, the committee,
with the most painful emotions have per-
ceived but too much ground for this appre-
hension. The puerile suggestions of main
tanning a war at the same time against the
two great belligerent nations, is 100 absurd
to deserve attention. IF then, the United
States are to select their enemy, and the
choice is lett 70 the present administration,
the fears Of these petitioners will eventually
be realized. Even if this measure is not Sc
riously intended by our government, yet
the course Of policy pursued by them must,
It persisted In, soon terminate III such a
war. The committee here would observe,
that an examination of the different mea-
sures Of the two nations referred to, would
lead them to elect the other alternative.--
These measures and acts are before the
puolic. Some of the most important Of
them have been SO fully displayed. and tho