Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-10-04


Wr!tten 6sfare the Declaration Of .d",eri-
Z can Indstendence.
My LoRD, /,
Men OF your lordship's elevated rank, and
inouisitive of information, are not little lla-
bic to be misied BY the subdolous arts oil sell
ish competitors tor fssyors. know the people
of America have been frequently alarmed by
reports studiously calculated, and Industrious
hpropagated to excite their apprehensions aud
irritate their passions. Different means are
pursued, though the object is the same, That
of deriving a self-importance from the mu-
tual iealousies of the British government, and
the colonies, and personal profit from their
smbarrassmenis. The appearances OF prin-
cipled and jealous attachment are easily as
sumed, and too easily credited, and the mode
ration which pleads for concillatory advances,
is with too much success imputed to dis
graceful! pusiIlanimity, or cold lnsenslolilty
NV views in addressing this letter to your
lordship, will be inferred with more satistac-
ton on a perusal of it, than from the most So
Tenn asseveratons of their rectitude. III, my
lord, you knew me, there are, trust, no marks
on my character TO induce any peculiar sus-
picion, and am conscious there is nothing In
that, or in my rank, TO cutitle my sentiments
TO any peculiar Difference. Wanting profess
sions OF extraordinary purity OF intention are
generally suspicious, and stranger offering
no other testimony of his sincerity taan his
own ostentatious culogy, would be extremely
ridiculous. shall net subscribe my name
because it would not make me better known
to your lordship, than that OF Titus or SEM
Il 4, RI vi IT,
tention to my subject, on the merit OF It's eX-
tension and permanent utnty, hut GO DOT
beseeak what this address imports, your bene-
Violence and candor.
shall, as much as can, avoid tedious
and disgusting prolixity. shall not attempt
any embellishments of dictlon, nice lnVesiS"-
s;s,As slas--->s-~l refine naents or suht!itlcs Of
argument. If my talents were not as lmcom-
petent as they are, my inclination on this occa-
sion would be adverse. shall only endeavor
to be Ineligible, and rely upon your lorishin'
Judgment to determine upon the proprlety OF
my sentiments, and if worthy OF regard, upon
your humanity and Justice to adopt them.
The colonies, my lord, ought, in my humble
opinion to be considered as the instruments o.
the national commerce, and in this relation to
be subject TO the laws which the British legis-
laturs may ortain for their regulation and
government, because unless subordinate and
dependent in this degree, they might cease to
be the instruments of the national commerce,
and thus the end or view in settling the Ame-
rican plantations might be disappointed, but
when the end is Just and lawful, the means,
without which it might be entirely defeated,
are also Just and lawful. On the other hand,
conceive the colonists are FULLY entitled to
all the rights and liberties of the itish sub
iects comp .ti5le with the check upon and
control over them exerciseable by the SUI
preme authority of the mother country with
view to the principle and object in settling the
plantations, that of forming, securing and dl-
recting SO many instruments of the national
commerce; but If the mother country may
bind the colonies bv all laws without limita-
ton, a power SO extensive, would constitute
direct absolute tyranny: for IN no state Can
the people be entitled to any degree OF consti-
tulional liberty where their consent Is not ne
cessary to the validity of any law. The adj
mission that the colonies are entitled TO any
degree of political liberty, and the assertion
that thew are subject 10 al law of every kind
without their consent, are therefore not to be
Ieconciied. Here the objection occurs. 1t
the British parliament Cannot make oil, the
British parliament cannot make any laws
20 hind the colonies IF this doctrine be Just,
the consequence is inevitable; either that the
colonies are entitled to no degree of civil IL
bcrty, or they are entirely independent; but
II seems TO me, the objection assumes an inn
nrpper principle, whence the extreme conse-
ruence is drawn, and permit me, my lord, to
: remark, that the principle is so dangerous, as
10 recommend doctrine of more equity and
moderation to the countenance and accepta-
,;on of those who wish 10 see amutual conf
dence and good undermining restored and
-,,,,;xa,ed between Great Britain and her CO.
lon;es. and as consider your lordship IN this
character, so have presumed to trouble you
with this address. The principle have sug-
oested. is that the coioul;s ale subject TO such
control, as may be necessary to secure ,he
oreat end and purpose of their settlement
ths forming, establishing and directing SO