Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-09-12
DaILY GAZETTE.
no sHEW
THB VERY AGE AND BoDY OF THE TINE
HIS FORM AND Treasure"
THURSDAY MORNING, Sept. IL.

A very serious point presents itself to
public consideration in this way: Although
the Edicts of Bonaparte are said to be re-
pealed, aud the BRUSH Orders in Council
are still in operation, yet tits fact, that.
were itn6t for oucn Nom importation Lazc,
we might enjoy far more lucrative trade
with Great Britain than we do at present
with France. The absurdity, therefore,
of keeping our Non-Importation law in
force, must be apparent.
That Federal Doctrines must ultimate
ly prevail in this country, or that ruin
must ensue, we have ever maintained, and
do still most firmly believe. With pleasure
we hail the feint glimmerings oftheir ap-
preaching return in our political horizon,
perceptible in the following passage:
From the National IntelKgencer Of Tues
day last.
Sc If we are to have Navy, in the
name Of our country's honor, let it be
placed on a more respectable footing than
it now is. With all the paraphernalia of
Navy Department, we have at present
but little Of its utility, and at a great com
paratiye expence we have force not ade-
quate, perhaps, fit were double its pre-
sent magnitude, to compete with the petty
squadron now on our coast, much less
with that under Sir Joseph Yorke, which
is said to be on its passage. To send our
present naval force to sea, therefore, in
case ola declared and active war, would
only be a wanten sacrifice Of some Of as
brave spirits as ever animated man. in
contest in which defeat would be almost
unavoidable"
These remarks, Oh the subject Of a re-
spectacle Naval Establishment, are, we
say, completely Federal Doctrines. But
are these the arguments heretofore en-
ployed by the ruling party? No, far from
it: for how often have we heard them
exclaimins with exultation, +" Thank God,
the timber which is to build Navy is yet
growing in our forests" Such was their
cry; and every man in favor of a Naval
Force was denounced as Tory. The ne
cessity for such force, although always
seen, is now beginning to be felt; hence
the tune is changed; the Truth is too OBJ
vious to be any longer resisted.
The language Of the Intellisencer on
this question, is, however, little singular.
:: III (says he) we are to haze a navy,
&c. why, 'sin the name of our country's
HONOR" have we no nauy at present? Are
not our half-score of FriSatcs, and the
Lord knows how many score of Gun
Boats, Navy, at least of some sort p
We perfectly agree with this writer that
we have for long time had =" all the pa
raphernalia" Gin plain English, all the
Expence) Sc Of navy Department, with
but little of its utility" Our government
has seen IFS error, in endeavoring to sup
press this valuable system of defence;
and We trust that, in addition to the ac-
acknowledgement above made, which is itself
mcritorious, they will proceed without
delay to reverse their foraer measures.
and afford our catcrprising merchants and
hardy seamen the protection which they
deserve. In such state Of things, the
American flag would again be respected
il; all parts of the world; the National
Government would justly share in the
honor Of their gallant conduct; and the
American people would reap the benefits
of secure trade and prosperous treasu-
ry.
Mons. PRESTAIR,