Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-02-21

Yesterday the Joint cofnsnnsee -,
subject of the foreien relations of the on'teo
States, made the following report TO INC
senate which was read, ordered 20 oe
printed, and assigned for considerable" '"
Tuesday next. - ~
THE REPORT. =,
The committee of both houses appointed
> te consider and report on the expectancy
Of expressing the sense OF the legislature
- aon the present, alarming state OF OUT TO-
reign relations, and on the causes which
nave protueeA il; &atlwhether any, and
if any, what measure, may be adoptea 10
preysn, xhe evils of impending war
have attended to the duties OF their APP
Northumberland End on.eSamination,
::rha, By the message of the president OF
tho United States to congress at the open
ing Of the present session, ana the docu-
nrn,s herewith transmitted, it appears
that minister, deputed by the government
of.Great Britain to this country, with full
powers 10 egocia,s and conclude All ac-
ccmmodation OF sil controversies subsistlng
bstwesn the two nations, after being accre.
.ditsd and having entered upon the object
ofhis mission was suddenly informed oy
the American minister, that no further
communications would be received from
him; in consequence OF an alledged offence
In the language ussd-in some part OF his
correspondence. Thi, event, viewed IN
eennec,ien, with the resolutionsof congress,
and ihe resentmens discovered, and mea:
/, surss proposed BY the friends OF the adm'n''
,s,ra,ian, have materially changed the pos
turcs of cur relations with Great Britain,
4sincsshs last meeting OF this legislature !;
sand IN lieu Of the prospect OF peace ana
.amiyy, which we then hailed as So auspic'-
Seus 20 our national prosperity, we discern
"A policy whose tendency is to prodsce an
open rupture with .h,tn tior. A war with
Great Britain, in the present state Ut Eu-
rsps, and under the existing circumstances
-of our. country, .woald be, in the estimation
-ofyvur committee, the greatest eatarn'ty
tina, could befal the United States, short OF
the loss of,theiY liberties and independence |;
and would, in 10 consequ noes sndanger
,thrse. A conviction Of this truth, would
Justify any member Of the ccnfedsraey, by
whom il should be felt, in the expression ct
It's disapproba,ion and il. fears, even If no
MEASURES were adopted BY other states cal
eulatel 70 supper, the administration IN its
hostile attitude. But Us several Of the s:a,s
legislatures, par,akiHg Of the sensibil'sy OF
the national executive, have approved of
r,he rejection Of the British minister, in =
ssons which May be deemed TO disclose .
.,spiris ripe for open hostility with his nation
.-.-is II, ia our opinion, the duty Of, this
legislature to attempt 20 a!lay these hostile
.propensities, and II possible 20 prevent q
&ruinoas and unnecessary war, BY such al
exposition Of their sentiments upon the
present crisis, rs may demonstrate the ex-
IRENE relucssnce with which the people OF
this commonwealth would find themselves
compelled TO engage 10 such n war. -.
Aware Of the danger and Inconvenience
of colisions between the measures OF the
national aad state governments, and per-
snaded that harseny and mutual confidence
constitute the basis Of the power of confe-
desate states, your committee have examin-
ed the documents accompanying the presi.
dential message. with sincere disposition
10 discover \ auaicient justification for the
rupture Of a-negociarjon so deeply affecting
che interests Of the nation, The cause, al.
sedged is, THAI the British minister in his
correspondence persisted IN using terms
wiSch implied that the American, govern.
mens had knowledxe OF the fact, that Mr..
Erskine had not auihorityso conclude the
arrangement made by him in behalf Of his
xovernment, after such knowledge had
bern explicisly disasowed by the American
exeeu,iye. RiSnot pretended that this 10
expressly asserted by the British minister
NJ Be ! fact fpur committee are unable.
Do diseerrl eitl,sf the assertion or the insi.
sussion Of this 40 q fact; nor can they psrs