Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-02-26

OF neutral commerce ITO"
part or the whole Of the territories OF one
bellisersnt by adeelaration Of blockade by
the other without capacity therefor !; the
imposition Of tax or transit duty on nea-
trail eommersesin The ports Of enc power 10
lepalfzs It's transmission to the adverse
4powsr the violent arrest from our public
and private vessels, of seamen, almost with
cut regard to the place of their nativity;
the liability of neutral property to seizure
and conformation of one party in conse-
ausnce Of search by the Other of ships
Transporting It, and the total prohibition
of neutral, commerce and with enc belliser-
ent by the other, without blockade OF any
description, are amongst the prominent u
surpations which have sacrificed much of
our property, enslaved many OF our citizens,
insulted our sovereignty, and almost pros.
cribet neutral commerce from the ocean.
Some neutral vessels have been seized, rob-
bed,o destroyed, or condemned upon fri
yolous pretexts, not even justified by the
arbitrary and ruinous restrictions above
newfoundland one Of our public armed
ships has been iusuitingly attacked, several
Of her crew killed, and others taken forci.
bly, away !; an act acknowledged by the nj.
ton whose officer committed it, to be Who'll
ly unwarrantable, but which still remains
unatoned for.
The constant evidences of q desire on
our part to maintain strict and impartial
neutrality the earnest and able appeals for
redress by our rulers to the honour and
justice Of the belligeren,s, and our eon,inu.
al remonstrances against their incessant and
unprovoked encroachnen,s upon our neu-
,rai commerce, have all been disregarded
or evaded. No revocation or mutual re.
Taxation of the offensive DEGREES OF France
has been obtained. With Great Britain
an arrangement has been effected in April
last, which at the same time evinccd the
impartial and pacific intentions Of our ad.
mnis,ration, and returning sense of good
faith and upright Conduct in the cabinet of
St. James's, d.ffused lively satisfaction
through the nation, and presaged a speedy
restoration Of good understanding and har-
mony between the two countries. But our
hopes were blasted, and the wise and pa
triotic intention of Our rulers bafa I'd by an
unexpected disavowal of tho agreemen.
and an unqualified refusal to hlf its sti-
pulations on the part Of England.
"Since the recall Of the minister who
negotiated The arrangement, nothing has
occurred to brighten the prosperr'of an no.
norab!e adjustment, Of our differences. On
the contrary, instead Of evincing an AMIGA
cable disposition by substituting other &C.
ceptable terms of accommodation in lieu of
the disavowed arrangement, the new min
lister has persisted in impeachipg the vera.
city of our administration which sense of
respect for themselves, and for the dignity
of the nation they represent, forbade them
to brook. They adopted towards him, On
that occasion, the most moderate and least
irritating course OF treatment; a course
demanded by his department., and merit.
ing the appreciation and support OF every
American, who feels anxious to presrrve
the honour add independence Of his eoun.
try.
The naomentous duty Of deciding upon
the attitude which the United States shall
assume in the present emergency, is dele.
gated to intelligent aud virtuous agents. In
their wisdom we may safely con6de aid
it becomes rs to place firm reliance on
their patriotic sxsrtions to devise such inca.
sures as may be best calculated to promote
peace and prosperity, or to provide for the
security OF our common country in the o.
vent of war. For all the efforts of human
wisdom directed by the puress virtue in our
rulers, may prove unavailins without that
union, confidence and support which the
genius of our government, the spirit Of pa.
triosisa and the dictates of reason, nature
and christianity impose upon the members
Of the community. II the me mber and
the head be united and act in concert, no
foreign power can endauger the life and
safety OF the political body.
Answer Of the House to the Gevernor's
Speech. '' 49,.