Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-08-22
Fran tie Hiirginia Patriot.
No. ".

ther discussing the very interesting ques'
ton What line of policy will our governs
ment observe with respect to Spanish Ame-
RIGA.
In considering this subject, 1t ought not
for an instant to be forgotten that our mea-
sures, whatever they May be, will have no
influence upon France. She has already
made war upon US. She is carrying 1t on
with all the means in her power. by en-
broiling ourselves with our ne'ghoors We
cannot conciliate her. Her ultimatum IS war
with Great Britain. This may be either by
a solemn declaration, or by again entering
into the continental league against COM co,
merce and reinssating the embargo. IhiS
ul,imatum too is proposed in manner
which leaves it impossible to accede 70 IL
without dishonor, and without making an
appsrent as we'll as real surrender OF the
right of sell government. BY allowing
France to gain loot hold on this coo'''leh''
we shall not soothe her resentments against
the United States, but. shall furnish her
with the means OF INDUCING them 10 our
destruction. We shall enGrease her ability
without diminishing her inclination to at
tack us. We have then only TO enquire
what course will best comport with JoSt'ce
and with honor, and what course, In tue G
vent that Spanish America shall become IN
dependent, will most promote our present
and future interests.
Without repeating the delicate suolec's
for discussion and arrangement ".llcN ''1'u-
ally exist, must request that they may "
kept perpe1ualIy in view. 1t cannos DC
doubted that they furnish the strongest mo-
tiyes for concliating the friendship and Sc
curing the good will of our neighoors: AS
little is it 10 be doubted that this can be ef-
fected only bv manifesting unequlvocai'y
and frankly cur good wishes for their sue
cess in this arduous struggle, and our rea'
diness to recognize them as independent ma,
tons. As there may be promPtness and
alacrity in the manner OF doing grateiu'
act, which will render it still more GRATEFUL
SO there may be slowness and ungractoas-
ness in the manner, which by man!ttsEng
the reluctance wiki which it is done, plant
in the bosom of the receiver a sentiment.
very fFerens from. confidence, graft uds OF
affection. The first dIsposes TO anlcaoss
arrangement; the last, by inspiring j7"I0'''
L,1 osvs obstacles III cue way
OF every proposition.
No external objects can be more int,
resting TO- the United States, than . general
good intelligence with the nelghborlng pow
ers of our own contiucnr, and that tree coAa-
merciaI Intercourse which will grow eat OF
that coed intelligence. Tbs advantages to
resuls from this state Of things VIII o' SF7a'
and permanent. I, is however my present
purpose TO adyert oaly TO two points when
are infinitely important, and intimately con
nected with each other.
These are,
LIST. The acquisition c. the t!oFidas' Or
if tha: be imprac,icab!e, treaty securing
tke navigation Of tie great rivers which
empty into the gulph of Ms1lice. !
2dly. IA adjustment Of the boundary OF
Louisiana.
Il has been already stated that the nayi-
cation Of those large rivers which take their
source IN the interior Of our country and
enptY themselves into the gulph, Is essen
tial to large portion of the i. S. 40 Sc.
cure this navigation by the acquisition OF
the Floridas, is infinitely aore desirable
than to obtain cession oft by treaty. 1hIs
is too obvious to require the aid OF argu-
ment. The navigation Of river whose
mouth is completely occupied by foreign
power, is always exposed to hazard, a
war completely suspends it, Any mlsun'
derstanding, or mere caprice may subject
it to unpleasant and irritating vexatlons'
which often lead to serious consequences.
The ports of Florida, TOO, not less than
those of Cuba, command the immense trade
of the Mississippi. It is not extravagant
to say that the exports from this river will
su,pass those from all the Atlantic states.