Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-06-21

par,e are of such natures that the British
government cannot much longer exist"
have no doubt of the substantial correctness
of this report: it is perfectly characteristic.
But certain tbs, that afterwards (snd it is
understood to have been in the early part of
the succeeding session of Congress--the
same in which he recommended the embar-
go) "in speaking of the situation of the Eu-
repean powers, MIR. Jefferson said, in his
opinion Great Britain would not exist as a
nation six months; but he was confident
the weight of her national debt, and the
pressure OF the French power, would dcs.
troy her in the course of year !''-Such
| was this great sfafesman's knowledge OF the
power and resources OF the British empire;
and so accurate his calculation of the mower
and means OF conquest possessed by his
"dread" sovereign Bonaparte r But Bona
parte himself, with all his proneness to va.
nifty, pleased, even now, land four years
have elapsed since Mr.. Jefferson's predic.
tion) to give longer respite to the fate of
Britain---toa period which NAV reach be.
yond the life OF the american Orace.-Ip
March last, to the servile address of the
deputies of Hamburg and others of the
Hanse Towns, the French emperor an
swered-" When shall have ubsoayds Of a /.
hundred sail of the line, shall subiugate
England in a feuc campaigns" He admits
that France within her old limits could
not construct marine, in time Of war
When her coasts we're biockaded, she was
obliged to receive the law" (Mortifying
| admission! obliged to receive the law from
Britain Now from the increase my
empire has received [by treachery to the
nations to whom he professed the sincercst
friendship-and by usurping the dominions
OF unofcnding neutral nations--as he would
usurp ours ifnot separated by wide ocean. !
Now, (says the emp-ror) from the in-
crease my empire has received within the
last six years, | can build, equip and arm
twenty sail OF the line yearly, without the
slightest delay or obstruction, from the
existence of maritime war."--So then,
Britain may yet hold up her head for some
eight or ten years to come! seeing that FIVE
or six years must eiapse before Bouaparte
shall have ready his upwards of one hum
dred sail of the line;' and the British fleets.
commanded by her other Rodneys, and
Howcs, and Nelson's, may, beychance for
/
combat for the empire of the ea.--Yes:
and not for two or three years only-but,
by the will of Heaven, during the life of Boz
naparte-however long it may consist with
the unsearchable designs of Providence to
permit this scourge of the world to exist.
But, TRUST in God for different issue Of
| the war from that predicted by Mr.. JeHer-
son, and boasted ofby the French emperor:
war, indeed, the time of whose termina-
ton is beyond the ken of any human being.
Certain tits, that zOhiLe B0nabarfe lives and
possesses his present nne.ampied bolOer,
Great. Britain cannot make peace without
ruin. While Bonapartc bears cfsctual
sway in continental Europe, and holds with
10 his grasp the whole or nearly the wholcof
its coasts, peace would give him the time
of which in contemplation he makes his
boast; while that of Great Britain disman-
tied as usual in peace, and her seamen dis.
perssd, could not be sessonably, if ever,
restored to its present prepondcrant and Ire
resistiblc state, which gives, and will con-
tinue to her the command of the ocean,
Bonaparte knows she cannot yield TO any
terms of peace which he will offer; and
therefore from time to time he makes de-
ceitful overtures, or false and insdious de-
clara,ions of his desire of peace; in order
to cast on her the odium of the continued
war; while his own boundlcss ambition is
its sole cause. War, in fact, he feels to be
Let IT be remembered, that this was said in the
spring of 1907 and that the Berlin decree, which
was calculated destroy the British commerce. and
with that her power-was issued in the preceding
November
+ SIX or seven years ago, staunch friend Of Mr..
Jefferson by way Of vindicaiing him from nputa-
ton Of French attachments, told me the contrary
that he had heard MIR. Jefferson express sthe ut
/ e d.. IL. =. IL.