Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-08-17

its substitute, and in this have full know
ledge their leader, Jefferson, concurIed.-
This fayorite point they We're Obliged to
weld, bat with extreme reluctance and se-
pret. Now let us examine little further.
We have finally got clear of the embargo, a
measure government dared not continue
but i fear that war with England is still the
favorite object Of the present executive, as
well as Of the last.
1t is certain that Mr.. Erskine was not au-
thorised by his government to make those
arrangements, in consequence OF which the
president forced US from those antecedent
regulations so obnoxious. 1t must have
been foreseen by those in the administration,
that their conduct would be received by the
people in general with universal JOY i; and it
is natural consequence, which could not
but have been loreseen, that il future obsta-
cles should arise, it must deeply affect the
American mind, and excite lis resentment
against Great Britain, II that nation was
culpablc. This S the use the French jac-
tion are making, q these events.
That the secretary OF state did know the
extent OF MIR. Erskine's orders cannot be
doubted. it would have been weakness
and follv to the extreme to have committed
our government without having seen them.
He had right to demand them, and k,r.
Ers}:ine was directed to shew them! The
secretary Of state is not weak or foolish
mamie is sensible and intelligent and ca
ba6ls, it is believed, Of deep intrigue.
1t is possible that Mr.. Erskine for many
reasons anZious!y solicitous to preserve
peace between The two countries, may have
been duped by the specious preface oi a
similar disposition on the par, Of our adj
ministra,ion, asd entered INTO engagements
whi3h he sapGuinely hoped his government
would ralify, but was not expected by our
government 10 be sanctioned, and therefore
might lead TO war with Great Britain !;
which | greatly fear is Yet the wish Of those
i'll power.
There is another consideration, which
tends to encrease my approximations. This
whole transaction, apparently conducted
with a reciprocal desire Of an,ity, was con-
Quoted by R95s,t Smith, the BROKER Of Sc
neral Smith, whom we know to be the friend
OF France and The ensmy OF Englanel-and
we n9zr k1ozv, that by the adjustment Of our
differences WHO England, the general would
lose Four Hundred Thousand Dollars a
princely fortune! Bot many Of his connex-
Dexons and ttlendS are IN q similar situa-
ion. lis letter TO StansbGry shews that
NsPoleon has IN possession the property OF
others OF them--it is probable tina; General
Smith and his immediate connexions and
irleuds have at stake not less than Mil
lion OF Dollars, zvhich zvsN be- fna!ly last to
them should II ar nat TAKE place 6et70eea this
country and Great hrliam is 1t not too
probable that his brother, the Secretary OF
State, knowing ali those circumstances, hath
arti4lly co11t$5pea rather TO facilitate than
prtOcHt zrar Z
l sincerely hope ny fears may be ground
less. The conduct OF our government must
in short tins, give Us hight Oh this sub
jeci. Wait then, my ielow-citizens, con-
lure you. and suspend your decision, until
the DENoUEMEsr OF this Irajedy of Err.
rOrs.
NESTOR.