Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-01-11


i. naughty, unbending and severe, and that
when overtakea by adverse events, she Is
gentle and conciliating. Nay, we have
heard thar the different notifications OF the
orders in council from more to less severe,
is owing to the defeats OF the English or
their allies, and that we may read the IN
.tructions of their minister here in the pass
ing history of their war with France. Now
the success of Napoleon at Wagram had
decided the fate of continental Europe
The defeat of the Austrians was supposed
to place the political existence of their me-
march in the hands Of the conqueror, and
in all probability the subjugasion of Spain
must follow. Had our executive waited
few days, he would have found d.at by
The treaty of Vienna Austria had snsag-
ed to break off all intercourse with Great
Britain and acceded to the prohibitory sys-
tenn of France. This state of things in
continental Europe certainly made the
friendship and good will of this country an
object of interest and solicitude with Eng
land, and must believe that under these
circumstances the interest of the people OF
this country required an attempt at least to
negotiate. ..".' -.
Another reason why I do not think the
interest of the people was consulted, is,
that the act under the circumstances IN
which it now appears, with imputauons on
the British government. will necessarily
occasion irritation and render an adjust
ment of our differences if not impractical
bic, at least more difficult. And in this
point of view the adoption o. the resolution
on your table is more than impolitic. tits
throwing the gauntlet to Great Britain, and
who that knows the naughty spirit OF that
nation, who that has prrused its history
will answer for. it that it will not be taken
up. I shudder, sir, whilst l reflect that
before we pass on this resolution, the cor
rcspondence and dismissal may produce the
fatal mandate which will sweep Oar com.
merce from the ocean and lay our trading
cities in ruins.
Are we prepared for this war can
not subscribe to the doctrine of the honor.
able gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. John.
SOM that we are to meet war, not prepare
for il, aud that it is in time to fit ourselves
for the contest when we are attacked. 10
persons who inhabis the wilds of our west.
ern country, this doctrine may he correct,
as the enemy, before il can reach them,
must pass over their neighbors, and thus
afford them time to prepare for the con-
fict. but those who live on the sea-board
must, if this system is adopted, be sacri.
feed. We are without money, without An
army, and without a navy. Our fortifca.
tons are unfinished and unnamed, and is
this state in which to invite hostility from
nation who has the means and the power
at command to injure US. know, sir, we
have great rcsources-that We can draw
forth men and money, but if We must hav:
war, let US begin by preparing for it before
we provoke it.
Again, sir, I do not consider the dis.
missal of the English minister as comport-
ing with the interest Of the people, because
it appears to me, taken in connection with
other matters, to be part Of system of
hostility towards Great Britain which is to
end in war. On this subject l wish to be
understood as not Intending to question the
views of those who advocate British war,
nay, know the motives of some of them
to be pure. l only question the policy of
such measure. To me it appears preg.
nant with incalculable evils to this country.
Perhaps my situation renders me unne.
cessarily sensible of this point, as repre-.
sent state which must Immediately and
greatly suffer in such war. 1t is not to
be concealed that the state of New-York is
in some degree pledge to Great-Britain
for the conduct Of this country. Our sea-
board is yet unprotected, and British
feet may at any time destroy our capital
(our pride and 'boasD and convert its vast
population into hordes of wandering beg
CARS. On the north we have vast 'front.'
er of several hundred miles, sparely settled
by industrious husbandmen, who with their
families will not only be exposed to incur
sions from Canada, but will be an easy prey
to the remorse!ess savages whose residence
approach our borders, and who are per-