Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-07-12

" Of sucees,. It will be found that the
strong arm of arbitrary power could a.
lone effect. SO radical a change. The re-
fusal of the people to submit to the en-
barge, is demonstrative evidence that our
countrymen regard foreign trade as es-
sential to their comfort and happiness. 1t
being impossible then to abolish foreign
commerce, without an arbitrary systen''
subversive of that very liberty, which 1t Is
the first object of our social institatIon to
protect, this project must be regarded IN
relation to us as visionary theory, inca
pable of being reduced to praetice'*
But war with Britain will not only
annihilate our foreign commerce, but IN
tercept all communication By sea between
the distant ports of the empire. Our re-
duced and crippled trade. will be eontln-
ed entirely to land transportation, aided In
some degree by the internal navigation OF
rivers and lakes. Will such trade pro-
duce the revenues we want Will it fur
nish those comforts, which flOurishinS
foreign commerce has rendered necessary
and familiar to the people "A war With
Britain then--whcthcr we look at the ca
lamities she may inaict in the destruction
of our ships, our cities, and in ravasins
or coasts--or to the Inconvenience and
injuries which will be internally produc-
cd by the mere occlusion Of our ports,
ought on every calculations of interest and
policy to be avoided. But supposins she
shall permit our vessels to SO to sea In
what part Of the world could they find
safe asylum, and aprofitable commerce.
This subject will he pursued in the next
number. LUCDOUN.
#Were we an infant people, unknowins
and unknown to the world--couid we
keep ourselves concealed from the cupi-
dity of the old empires-N ere VT govern
ed by "a rigid system of laws. capable OF
controlling the vices Of the citizens, and
of subduing ami directing the ambition of
lowering minds-it is possible That such
theory might be received. Bat With our
present information and conmuni ,ation
with mankind, it must be Regarded as
feeble. de!usiye and fantastic project
True policy, however. would dictate to
US in cur present relative situation TO
the rest of the world-to withdraw from
the sea to internal Improvements. all the
capital not necessary to the transporta-
ton of the native products Of our country
to foreign marts: AS thereby we should
avoid many collisions, and those hazards,
by which our pecuniary capital has ofiate
been so much diminished. We should
then have the requisite number of vessels
to carry on our own trade, and great
capital beside employed in improving the
natural advantages presented in every
part of our country. particularly for the
manufacturing of those heavy articles,
iron and hemp. with many others OF less
Importance, but of great value and utility.
Such a limited commerce would be always
safe--and would prove steady and faith
full handmade to our agriculture and ma
nufactures. Our losses and our quarrels
have proceeded principally from our ef-
forts to engross the carrying trade OF the
world, without the means Of rendering
our flag in any degree respected and safe.
EXTRACTS
he s,f: J,,fo oil