Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-10-08
From the Cleaner.
THE PROSPECT BEFORE US"


rises to our view. At home our people are
divided and distracted are our councils A
people, intelligent, liberal and PATRIOTIC never
complain without cause. Councils whose
prime attributes are wisdom and patriotlsnl'
rarely are divided. In the loud and lncreas-
ing complaints of the people-ln the. distfac-
ton of our rulers, the good man sees mucnt 10
deplore and little to console.
The numerous bankruptcies In our sea-
ports--the ruin of commemorative low prices
of produce to the farmer-the scarcity OF
money, are fearful harbingers OF our approach
ing troubles. Difficulties thicken around us
public confidence is destroyed; our national
revenue so low, that for two years, millions
have been borrowed to pay our ordinary ex-
penses Even if our rulers were honest, their
want of capacity, SO strongly indicated by the
unnromisine- situation into which they have
broucht the national affairs, would excite IN
every good mind the most fearful aPPrehen-
sions for the future. What seaman so hardy
as to encounler with confidence the storms OF
the equinox with pilot Ignorant OF his duty.
Our rulers like Caesars wife should not only
be innocent, but unsuspected. The dreadful
charge against the chief magistrate, OF sn0ser-
piency 10 France, is no SANDER arising from
the maiignity of faction. 1t is no falsehood
generated by the spirit of party. 1t did not
even arise among those who have not accorded
with him in political sentiment. The author
of the charge is the friend of Jefferson-eight
wears the intimate friend and fellow counsel
ior of Madison-raised by the president
himself to the most elevated situation In his
gift; this man stamped with the seal OF JET
ferson and Madison themselves, as patriot.
man of honor and intelligence-thls Is the
man who hath come forth to the nation, not
under cover, not by nnuendo, but, openly,
boldly, and with his name, and hath made the
direct charge of subservieney to France
Aside from his evidence it is but too true that
the measures of the administration do strongly
corroborate the charge. II we can conceive
no cause for Mr. Madison's love to France,
still we should recollect that "fear admitted
INFO public councils betrays like treason"
If want of capacity in our rulers be cause
of discomfort, what must be the feelings of the
people-what the frosfect before rs, II the
poisonous influence of France, more destruc-
tive than the deadly night shade, pollutes our
councils!
Gloomy as is our domestic view, perhaps
our foreign prospects open tairer scene
How are our foreign relations Is America
respected abroad Does France requlte our
subserviency with friendship, good faith and
respect! Are our affairs with England on
favorable footing' Hank! heard you not that
proan 1t came from the dungeons OF France;
an American captain loaded with irons, and
almost famished, implores, but lmpleres IN
vain for subsistence Behold he is forced to
enHst i'm their accursed privateers to avoid the
most excrutiating death.
: See you that mother weeping-she mourns
her son, forced into the horrid prison OF
British frigate. Edward, her only hope, bray-
ed the dangers of the sea for her subsistence,
and the cruel press gang has dragged him IN
to slavery
Nay--another prospect may be less painful
What group is that in yonder street with looks
so sad. Behold that aged man, who PAGES
with hurried and irregular step the pavement
Why do the big tears wet his venerable
cheeks. He weeps not for himself He hath
a lovely family dependent on him for support.
A merchant upright, and beloved-in long
course of honorable exertion he had obtained
a competency. The news has Just reached
his ear, that by one fell sweep, his ships IN
France are all con6scated, and the labour OF
years stolen from him in moment. lmplaca-
BILE tyrant, how many hast thou ruined
Did our government demand redress 8
Alas no--the times were critical and our
good President thought it improper to anlmad-
vert upon the affair, it might have disturbed
his highness marriage feast
What ships arc those that hover on our
COASTS it navy our government have pro-
y;ded to defend our rights? Far the reverse.
They come to blockade our harbors to inter-
runt our commerce, to beard US to our teeth
part are French, bit most of them are Eng
Iish. And they he there as monuments OF the
fo,lv of our administration, in reducing us to
this hostile state; OF of their weakness in not
long since preparing the oouatry,for defence.
Our chief naval defence has become oounda-
ries Cor land, or is feeding the worms of the
Potomac. Millions for gun-ooaits' and noea
cent for frigates I" is the motto OF our rulers.
GLORIOUS defenders of the nations rights:
Rushing into the vortex Of q foreign var