Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-11-30

of nation, conscious both Of its rectitude
and Of its rights, and careful as well Of ito
honor as Of its peace, / have an entire con-
fdtnce. And that the result will be stamp
ed by unanin;ty becoming the occasion,
and supported by every portion OF our
tcl1izens, with patriotism enlightened and
invigorated by experience, ought as httis
to be doubted.
Inthe midst of the wrongs and vexations
experienced from external causes, there 10
much room for congratulation On the pros
perity and happiness flowing from our situa'
ton at homs- The blessing OF health has
ne, er been more universal. The fruits ct
the seasons, though in particular articles
and districts short of their usual redundan.
cy, are more than sufficient Tor our wants
and our comforts. The face or our country
every where presents the evidence Of lauda-
bic entcrprise,of extensive capital, and OF
durable Improvement. In a cultivation OF
the materials, and the extension OF useful
manufactures, more especially, IN the gene
raj application to household fabrics, we be-
hold rapid dimiuusion of ear dependence
on foreign supplies. Nor is it unworthy of
reflection, that this revolution in our pur-
suits and habits is in no slight degree con-
sequence Of those impelitic and arbitrary
edic.s, by which the contending nations IN
endeayosing each of them to obstruct our
trade<with the other, have SO far abridged
our means OF procuring ths productions
and manufactures, of which our own are
now taking the place.
Recollecting always, that for every adj
vantage which may contribute to distinguish
our lot, from that to which Others are DOOM
ed by the unhappy spirit OF the times, we
are indebted 60 that Divine Providence
whose goodness has been SO remarkably ex-
tended TO tlis rising nation, it becomesus to
cherish deyout gratitude, and to implore
from the same orani potent source blessing
on tn. coasuitations and measures about to
be undertaken for the welfare Of our below
ed ccuatry,
JAMES MADISON.
As cur government IS procuring arms,
e'ae following extract of a note in colonel
hacdanai(i's translation of the French lac
tics, is worthy Of attention.
IS 70 avoid the inconvenience of turning
the ram rod in loading, such as striking 1t
against the faces, heaus OF arms OF the men
in the other ranks, or letting 1t fall; the
Prussians do not return it, and therefore
wad in less time than they would be turning
it. The ram rod is made cylindrical, and
TO prevent increase of weight, is made e
oualy thick at both ends, and small along
the rest Of its length.
The touch-hole or vent OF the Prussian
musket, Which is shaped inwards like
trucation, renders the motion OF prlming
unnecessary, as the piece primes itself, from
the con;c;J construction of the vent, the
external oiiGce Of which is not wider tan
il generally is, in ran1ming the powder
masses in sufficient quantity into the pan;
no powder is split in printing, the whole
charge enters into the barrel; time Is
saved, and the effect of the shot is more
roweyful. The Austrians, at first, ridicul-
ed this Improvement, and afterwards imltat-
cd it."
In the Prussian service, piece OF lea
ther is sewed round the barrel, where the
hand holds it in loading, to enable the hand
70 hold il heated as it will become after ten
or twelve quick discharges.