Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-02-06


merce is suspended, many Of the usual pur-
suits Of industry impeded, and the people
thrown from high pros erity into greas dis
tress and privation.
In order, therefore, to make known our
sentiments to our rulers and our country,
Resolsed, That the union of the states
formed by the wisdom which planned, and
consecrated by the sacrifices OF those who
achieved our independence, is endeared to
US by every affection and remembrance
which is gratifying to US as men, and by e.
very interest and duty which we hold sacred
as citizens: and that viewing it as the main
piliar of national independence, individual
happiness, and public security, we Will stea-
Oily support il against all attacks, whatever.
may be the errors Of the administration, and
however severe the pressure which these err.
rors may have occasioned.
ResolUed, That we view with deep and
unaffected concern the articles and publica-
tons which are daily used and resorted to,
in order to disseminate unfounded SUSPECT
ons and alarms, and to encourage the belief,
that there is among those opposed to any OF
the measures Of the present administration
spirit of disafection to the union and in
dependence of these states. In the opinion
this meeting, all such publications and
articles, particularly, when sanctioned BY
men of high station and authority, have a
direct and necessary tendency to increase
tie reliance OF foreign nations in our inter
nal divisions to embitter the anirlosities of
party, and by spreading the influence of ter
ror and hatred, TO disable the citizens from
making a just and constitutional opposition
10 the unwise and destructive measures OF
government.
ResoI0sd, That we deem longer cont
nuaace OF the laws imposing the embargo
as unjust, oppressive and impolitic. In our
opinion, experience fully demonstrates, that
the embargo, as measure of coercion, is
weak, inefficient and useless and while a
great and profitable trade maybe carried on,
Notwithstanding the orders and decrces OF
the belligerent powers Of Europe, it is dis
honorable to abandon rights to the ocean,
which form an essential part OF our national
character and independence.
ResolUec, That we consider the act of
congress, commonly called 6 the enforcing
law," to be direct invasion of the estab-
lished principles of civil liberty, and OF the
express provisions of the constitution as
arbitrary, and severe to degree unnecessa-
nv, even to accomplish the objects for which
the lawis protested to have been enacted, as
creating an enormous and dangerous aug
mentation Of executive influence and pow
er, and as unnecessarily exposing the citi-
zen to the miscries of civil discord, and
military execution, That the ninth section
of the act which authorises a ministerial
officer, without Process Of la,v, to seize
goods at his discretion under a pretence
that there is reason to beke0e they are
intended for exploration, or apparently
ON the way to the territories of foreign
power, is in our opinion breach of the 18th
article OF the amendments to the constitu
ton, which provides that the right of the
people to be secure in H. Ii persons, houses,
papers and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated;
and of the fifth article of the amendments
which declares, that no man " shall be de
prived Of life, liberty or property, but by
due process of law" That the 9th section
is contrary to the true spirit of the consti-
tuition, inasmuch as Invests in the prgsidens
legislative authority, by giving to his in
strcctions, in certain cases the force of law.
And that the 18th section of the act, vlo-
lates political and civil right, more sacred
than any constitution, in aurhorising tt
military to FIRE upon the people, without
the sanction or interposition OF the civil au-
thority. The principle contained in this
section might if much further extended,
with col4 petent force, convert our govern
nlent into an absolute despotlsm.