Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-06-21
FROM THE SALEM GAZETTE.
Mr.. Pickering's address

PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
NO. XIII.
FELLow-CITIzENs,
consider as fulfilled, in my last mum.
Der, (though additional proofs may be ad.
vanced) my engagement to prove that the
embargo was not imposed, as Mr.. Jefferson
pretended, $50 keep in safety our vessels,
our seamen and merchandise" In that
number stated all the grounds upon which,
by his own showing, his recommendation
was founded. And if it were possible that
these should not, on the face Of them, ap.
pear to every man wholly insufficient to au.
thorise it; yet when we have superadded
Mr.. Jeferson's own confession, in the let
ter ofthe Secretary Of State, tina, the Berlin
decree was but an empty menace, because
of the imbecility of the French emperor to
enforce it, France being without the means
to carry it into effect, certainly no doubt
can remain on the mind of any one. And
therefore recourse must be had to some o.
Their motive for the embargo. And as no
deception or concealment could be required
10here there 1uas an honest pursuit Of the
true interest Of the countryside inference
is just, that the deception was practised to
cover some design which would not bear
the light. For strong as were the preju-
dices Of a majority OF the people in favour
of France, and almost unbounded as was
then their confidence in Mr.. Jefferson: yet
he did not dare to avow the only conceiva-
ble motive for the embargo--a cooperation
with the French Emperor to render the e.e-
caaien ofhis Berlin decree complete that
is, to distress Great Britain, cut off her
commerce, and hasten her Downfall. And
for this event Mr.. Jefferson was prepared !;
he expected-he predicted it. Was his
"wish the father to that thought" Or,
thinking that event certain, were all his
aims and measures calculated to propitiatc
the mighty conqueror! and to obtain for
himself, grace at least, if not place? For
if the conquest of Britain were in his view
so easy, could he imagine the United States
would remain even for one year, free and
independent I'll know that some men, eli
Their ignorantly or falsely, have fattered the
people with the idea, that if Great. Britain
were to become province of France, and
parte, still the u. States would be safe /;
and that the French emperor, welding the
whole power of Europe, could not conquer
the u. States. But no man having any pre-
tensions to common sense will expose him.
self to derision, by putting his name to such
an opinion. The French minister, Tur-
reau, some three or four years ago, said to
a Democratic Senator, whom respect and
from whom received the information, That
in short time Tin six or twelve months)
Great Britain would be snbdued, and be at
the Emperor's feet. "What then will be-
come of us 7" asked the senator. 90 IRE.
piled Turreau) the Americans have nothing
to fear: Bonapartc is the friend of the Uni
ted States: He makes ,oar on those onh
zuho resist his uiH!"* And is this one of
the principles on which our government for
some years past has been administered. Is
this one Of the causes Of the subscrviency
to France, of the unresisting baseness which
has degraded our country 10 the eyes OF all
Europe and in our own! However this
may be-whether Mr.. Jefferson took his
lesson from Turreau-or whether the OPT
MON resulted from the deep knouUledge and
sagacity, and the acute and Soid judgment
OF the philosopher and statesman of Month
cello--certain it is, that Mr.. Jefferson ex-
pressed the same opinion, Of the speedy
dozvnfaH of Great. Britain. twas an OPT.
Mon which he uttered without reserve
When without laying it before The Senate,
he sent back the treaty of amity, commerce
and navigation which had been concluded
By his ozOn ministers Messrs. Monroe and
Pinkney, with the British government "on
allthe points( they said whichhad formed the
negocation, and on terms which they trust
ed their government would approve:" Mr..
Jefferson was asked las | was very well in.