Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1809-08-07


and enquire of the watch on the tower,
What discoveries have been made.
From what | recently learned, our polt
ical prospect is something dubious. Bul
for myself, fear more from the corrupt
sta,e of our political opinions, from osr pre-
JUDGES and passions, than from all foreign
| enemies.
Why is it now 50 assiduously declared BY
a part of our citizens that a war with Eng
land must take place The English gov
eminent say Mr.. Erst,ne, their minister,
has exceeded his powers, and has, by an
assumption of power, entered into an en-
gaeement with the American government
which they cannot ri,tify and cor fem. II
he has exceeded his powers, his govern
mem is not bound to abide by his engage
ments Tins We all know. And our own
government has once refused TO ratify the
proceedings of It's ministers at London, be-
cause they ac;ed not in conformity TO in.
s,ructions. II Mr.. Erstine acted in oonfor.
nifty TO his instructions and not otherwise,
and our own government fuliilis its part OF
whatsoever arrangement shall have been
entered upon by it with Mr. Eystine, and his
government then refuse 80 ratiiy and con.
firm his conduct, shalt, for one, be ready
heart and hand to treat such "perfidy and
ireachery" as it deserves.
But on the other hand: Why did Mr..
Eystiae make the oyeriures Of April last
What induced him to Offer repeal of the
Orders in Council as far as they respected
the United States Mr. Madison himself
has told US, that Mr.. Erskine was induced
TO this course Of conduct, because the laws
of the United States had had the effect of
placing the two belligerent powers, France
and England, on Al equal footing as il res
pected our municipal government. There
fore, il appears, that Mr.. Eyst.ac made o.
ventures on behalf of his go' eminent to the
government of the United States, on this
condition, that Great Britain might be adj
mitted to all the privileges Of commerce,
friendship and navigation with this country,
while the enemy, France, was excluded
from them, until she should make similar
or equivalent oyertures, or concessions.
The United States being neutral nation,
Great Britain a be,ligerent, had, and
has, right TO demand a neutral conduct OF
her.
We know not what arrangements may
have been entered into by our government
and Mr.. Eysiine But thus much we know,
that French armed ships are now admitted
into our waters as well as En8Aish. Why
was French armed vessels prohibited en-.
trance into our waters under the non inter.
course law Of last February Why are
they now allowed entrance into our waters 7
Was there any cause for excluding them
last February Has that cause been re-
moved Can you not, reader, see some
thing strange in the conduct Of Congress
Do not let me prejudice YOU 10 your injury.
DO not let me instead you. But, though
all the members ofCongress may be honor
able men, cannot but feel concerned for
my country while her concerns are entrus-
ted in such hands. would on no account
lnjure the reputation or feelings of any hon
Durable man, but had rather be IS dog
and bay the mon" than sit vile syco-
plant in Congress, 5artering away the IN
terest, power and faith ofthe nation.
Why should we not wait the result of
those important affairs that now agitaie the
minds of the people. Due delberstisn AT
this time, can do no injury to the nation.
The English government, if their minister
has gone beyond his powers, have done
honourably in the order of council of May
Gath, by allowing American vessels to pro-
, coed to their destined ports, and back, with
out moleststion, as though their orders IN
council of January and November 1903.
were repealed. Therefore let us not raise
orr passions into flames. till we know whe-
ther we have grounds for our resentment
and revenge.
But some men assure me, when ask
why we are to have war with England,
that there are other grounds upon which We
have weighty reasons for going to war with
that nation. They say their usage of our
seamen, in taking them from our vessels
under pretended right of search, which
they have claimed, and their treatment OF
them OH board their ships, furnish reasons
enough for fighting them. shall say MOTH
ing in this place oil their right of search, for
nine tenths the American people pretend
not to dispute their right, but wish the ex-
ercise of il defined and limited. l am will
ling to allow, nay, do say, that there are,
| in my opinion. many abuses arising from an
undue exercise of that right but believe
the British government, do not encourage or
wish such abuses. And what is the conse-
quence of these abuses Why. many times
serious. Many seamen undoubtedly suiier
much, from being taken out of Our vessels
for want of regular projections, or from
their close resemblance to British seanen,
and being carried on board British men of
war, experience many hardsh,ps, till prop
err application is made fortheir release, and
they are always given up, when proof of
tier citizenship Is exhibited. feel much
pain Tor such sulcrings of my fellow citizens
as any man can But which is the way to
remedy III Can it ever be entirely remedi-
ed, till the English navy is extermina,ed, &
the United States as powerful on the ocean
n..s .c 10 al l.an
we should be no more humane and mild
than she is now.
But what do these same men say OF
France ] can scarcely attempt To speak for
them. / wish men would reason impartial.
A., a, L., q, .y;a az ,h,nrs ,mpar,,allN AZ they