Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-10-31
DAILY GAZETTE.
{" TO sHEw
The VERY AGE AND BODY OF THE TIME
Ibis FORM AND PRESSURE
THURSDAY MORNING, October 81.

general considered the conduct of America in
throwing off the yoke of Britain as the .freyM
attempt of pcrverse, child to render itself
independent of its lawful parent" Such are
the base SANDERS circulated to delude the ig-
norant; and yet the impudent authors of them
talk loudly of federal Misrepresentation who
are the I" leaders of federalism alluded to
We know of none but we know that many
of those "leaders" were foremost in resist
ing the encroachments of Great-Britain, while
some of our leading patriots were skulking
in the enemy's ranks, or hiding themselves in
dens and cayerns. Ask Tenoh Coke, who
led the British army into Philadelphia ? Ask
the same Tench Coke, whether he has not
for a long time enjoyed very lucrative post
under the government? And ask him, whe-
Their he is, or ever was, &c leader of federal
ism Again, ask General Armstrong, who
wrote an incendiary letter at the close of the
revolution, which would probably have been
productive of civil war, had it not been for
the address and popularity of the illustrious
Washington? Ask General Armstrong, whe-
ther he too has not enjoyed distinguished
post under the present government? And
further, ask him whether he was ever "Iead-
CT of federalism 20 We could cite many
more examples, if necessary; but these are
sufficient to shew that an administration which
patronises such men has very little reason to
complain of tories. 1t is trite but correct
saying. The greatest rogue always cries out,
Stot Thrift
Although we entertain all due respect for
the members of the National Legislature, we
will take the liberty of recommending to their
notice few extracts from an intelligent Eu-
ropean writer of the last century, on the sub
iect of COMMERCE. Their time will not be
mis-spent in the perusal; and, we think, the
notion of encouraging Agriculture without
a concomitant encouragement of Commerce,
will be found to have been completely explod-
us with great ostentation.
/" 1t is said, great external commerce, is
it so useful to a state as is generally thought?
Is not the prosperity which it procures PEG
pie momentary, and of short duration? Do
not the exorbitant riches which it spreads,
bring on idlcness, efeminacy, luxury, and the
corruption of manners Of which the purity
and innocence are infinitely more valuable
than all the treasures Of the universe To
this I answer, that these disorders do not come
unta nation loses Tie stirit Of commerce,
which always supposes spirit of economy &
frugality. We prevent therefore these evils,
by maintaining with care, the spirit of COM
merce."
"The eagcrness for gain, so deeply imprint
ed in the minds of merchants, guarantees to
us, that they will always make every effort
for extending commerce, without being in
want of directions for each from government.
1t is not in states where they multiply ordon-
nances on commerce, and where they burthen
it in thousand ways, that it fourishes most.
These rules are commonly too varying and
changeable-they either depend on passing
circumstances, or they are gained by persons
lt'tIieSsoo III ooeaiAi'So ie"I PioHSo a. liiS "a
pense of all other merchants. These sort of
edicts are subject to contradict themselves
from time to time; and as nothing is fixed, on
which they could be founded, they only discon-
cert the enterprises of the merchants. Fear
ing TO find themselves traversed all OF a sud-
den by unforeseen performances, they dare not
obey the calls of their genius, and cannot form
successive projects. 1t is better to grant
them an honest liberty, which permits them
to hazard attempts for opening new branches
of commerce."
"In giving to commerce the greatest free
dom that is possible, there will perhaps be
made fewer great fortunes; buta greater num-
Der of moderate fortunes, and an ease more,
generally expanded, will be the fruits; which
certainly are more sure and more advanta-
geous to country, and which becomes at the
same time the end of a good legislation, above
all, in republican states, where they ought to
seek whatever approaches the nearest to e.
quality.
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