Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-01-07

QIcUlOuS tale Oh II Clittl sse y iA''
SO disrespectfully and disgraeefully to our
country, been circulated by eWspapers.---
Sir, this idle and ridiculous tale of French
| influence, 1 have strong reasons to believe,
! was originally suggested by British lnttu-
ence. The tale was probably invented BY
the British cabinet about the same time OF
the invention Of the tale respecting the Sc
cret article in the treaty of Iilsit, that the
/ Danes had agreed to give up their feet to
the French emperor to facilitate his invasion
I of G.. Britain. This tale lord Hutchinson
has since pronounced, in the British parlia-
ment. TO be a fakehood. About the same
period this same energetic British cabinet
probably determined upon the destruction
of American commerce, although the or
ders for that purpose were not actually issu-
ed for several months afterwards. Some
tale was thought necessary for the justlhca-
ton Of the act, and the suggestion OF French
influence operating upon our councils was
probably the one suggested.
have heard it said, and believe it to be
true, that the governor of Nova Scotia made
the suggestion, in letter addressed to GER
tain British partisans in Boston. Its hard
" to be presumed, that nc would have TAX
zen upon himself, the responsibility Of such
a suggestion without the authority OF the ca
binet. | am inclined to think that this fact
could be proved in court OF justice. Per
haps there may be gentlemen here from
Boston, who could give US more particular
information upon this subject. feel, sir,
/. a condescension in touching upon this sub
iect. wish to see all extraneous influence
utterly ba1lished from the country, and the
only operating iniuence-An1erican inAu-
eQce.
/ have now, sir, gone through this I'M
pleasant, and, fear, Improbable discus
sion, respecting the character of measures
heretofore adopted by the government the
only hope have from it IS, that itmsy put
us into a better temper for deiiberating on
the measures now proper 70 be adopted
Let me then, I,lr. President, call the stten-
ton OF the senate, to the actual situation o.
the u. S. at this time.
The T.. S. are now left alone to protect
neutral principles against the belligerent en-
croachmenrs OF q warning world. In al
former wars, the beligerent Entertainments
have been proportioned.to the influence O.
the powers at war, compared to the iniu-
ence OF those remaining at peace; but be-
ieve history presents no example OF TIE
warning powers at any former time putting
at defiance all neutral rights, all puaiic law.
It remained for the present times to witness
this unexampled aggression and it remain
ed for the L. S. alone to bear the shock
This state of things imposes on them a
great, sacred obligation. The obligation
OF protecting neutral princ;ples-2r principles
which lessen the inducements to war, and
mitigate its rigor--principies highly inter-
esting to mankind not only to the present,
but 80 future generations, and in q peculiar
manner, to the people Of the y. S. This
arises from their remote situation from the
great contending nations of Europe. III
therto, sir, the talents displayed il defend
ing ard thr magnanimity in protecting these
principles, have obtained for the y. 5. the
rcepect and sympathy OF an astonishedwor,d
and shall we, sir, at the moment OF an ex-
traordinary pressure, basey abandon them
without striking blow Forbid it interest.
Forbid it honor Forbid it American gal
santry But, sir, some gentlemen seem NOT
sufficiently impressed with the hostile cha
racter Of the belllgerent aggressions. With
respect to those of France, there is but one
opinion. They amount to hostility Itself
P,,t r;r RI nv aSt0niShn,ept tha octc of
C. Britain seem not to have made the same
strong impression on the minds of some
gentlemen. Let methen enquire, sir, into
the real character Of acts, which can bv
some oantle,nen be palliated or excused !?