Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-10-23
Fron, HE .Nsu- York Evening Post.

Ind so very tACcIlCiits aiid oo "Sh- ~
Iscannot deny myself the pleasure OF present, {.
ing it to the public entire; for 1t VIII well
repay the serious perusal OF 1t. lmportah,
and interesting truths, IN neat, precise ana
somewhat ornamented stile, distinguish TINS
performance from the ordinary productions oil
the press. 1t follows:
AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE,
on THE CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCES or
usR NTH GRE.4T-BRITdIN
know il is thapkless Office to warn my
sountrvnien of impending evils An honest
deyeiopement of their causes and conse-
oucnces is.likely to be received with dlstrust
or impotence; TO be resisted or eyaded by
the feelings of present interest, by seit-love,
py vanity, by groundless hopes, and idle wish
es, Anxiety and fear are troublesome COM
panions-if they cannot be put to silence,
they INNS; be dismissed. AS cannot minis
ter to the appetite for incredible rumours,
feel that I am, an unwelcome messenger; fof
am as utterly ignorant OF the progress OF
negociatioR at Washington, as ann sure oil
Its fruitless termination.
am fully aware, that there is reluctance
in the human mind, to admit truths which In
terfere with present pursuits or interests
which perplex the calculations OF prudence,
and demand exertion to prevent or mitigate
calamity. Men borrow confidence from their
hopes, and resist conviction as they would al
enemy. He then who disturbs their treacbe-
rous repose, their delusive dreams OF safety,
by showing them the giant form OF danger, Is
regarded as all intruder, if he is not assailed
as foe.
These considerations, so inauspicious to my
homes. shall not deter me from the honest dis
charge of what deem to be duty. AND
could | discern in the public slind Wiling
ness to fix its attention upon the causes which
have brought the country 10 Its present critical
state, | should not altogether despair OF Its
fortunes. A general conviction of the dangers
which threaten It's peace and liberties, would
give energy enough TO public opinion to pre-
vent the shock of Britlshwar. But unless
more Just opinions prevail among the soundest
portion Of the community, upon the causes and
consequences of such war; unless the pub
lie mind, generally, can be touched with fear.
and kintled into activity, war, at no distant pc
Rod, with its long train OF evils, must come.
/ do not undertake to prophecy the exact
time Of this event it's enough to know that
the temper and policy of the administration
will one day bring il To pass And 1t is chief
" owing TO a spirit of forbearance, growing
out of the unexampled situation OF Great-Brl-
rain. that we are not now at war with her, and
fast bound 10 the destinies of France. The spi-
rit IF hostility in the administration towards
Creat-Britain, one great source OF their power,
rs well as Its al:ment, which gains strength by
an association with the honest preludlCes OF
federalists and above all, the appalling de-
mands of France, which cannot be resisted
without the sacrifice Of the feelings, interests,
and power of party; must issue IN a British
xvar-an unha,lowed war to us-without the
sanction of Justice or necessity; which can
bring no glory or security with it, but which
must involve tbs safety Of the public liberties
in its progress, and close with the loss of our
name as an independent nation.
Deeply impressed with the business of these
sentiments, and indulging faint hope that
nav find s. fit audience, though few," pro-
pose to examine the present popular grounds
of complaint against Great-Eritain These l
shall comprise under the following heads:
/. The impSessment OF our seamen.
.. The orders In council.
These embrace the principal topics OF COM
plant which are now urged by the admins
tration, and seem to limit the angry declama-
tons cf its supporters. For since France has
settled the question of the colonial trade, it is
no longer claimed as right since the traf-
+;c in imperial licences is publicly driven in
our great cities, little is heard of the late Bri-
fish transit duty and since the brilliant "a
Enforcement of the frigate President, the affair
of the Chesapeake has ceased to interest the
public feeling.
II is often repeated, that the impressment
IF onr seamen is unsuitable cause Of war. 1t
Is = theme full of irritation. The passions of
men are so easily excited on this subject,
tbat there is little chance for candor or argu-
poent to gain hearing. Indeed there is little
prouad Cor reasoning on either side, tor the
Question of right is unusually clear OF doubt.
The difficulties are of a PRACTICAL rather than
of an abstract sort, rising partly from intrinsic
ard partly from artificial causes. Mutual good
temper, liberal and enlightened views only