Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-06-14

assumed patrio,ism--assumed as a ssrees,
behind which he contrived scheme dis
honorable to the nation, and pregnant with
ruin. For nearly all the losses and suffer.
ings of our seamen, merchants aad other
citzens, with the ruin of many, and the
failure of the public revenues, have grown
out of the embsrgo-ihat fruitful mother OF
all the plaques by which, in the name of acts
of congress imposing prohibitions and res
trictions, our commerce and fisheries have
been laid waste.
One plain, but very important, inference
remains to be noticed and impressed. As
you nave now seen Mr.. Jeferson's alledged
ground of the embargo to be deceitful and
talse,-it will be natural to inquire, What
was the reason inducing him TO recommend
the embargo! As cannot suppose the
worst of men to act without motive, so
Mr.. Jefferson must have had some strong
one to have taken so bold step, as to i'm
pose the Embargo such as we have seen in
its intended duration (Which was purpose
ly without limitation) and in its ruinous ef-
feet. Read once more Mr.. Champaguy's
letter OF Oct. 2, (while you indulge me in
some repetltions) and see whether the mo-
tives have detailed be not manifest.
The object OF the Berlin decree 10 plain !;
II was ayowed by Bonaparte, viz. to cut
off all trade OF his subjects, allies and neu-
traaS with the British dominions, thinking
By that means to ruin the commerce and
destroy the power OF Britain. Against
this monstrous decree, violating our rights
oy treaty and by the law of nations, Gen.
Armstrong complained-In the answer of
Mr. ChamPagny We are told, +" the decree
OF blockade has been now issued eleven
months. The principal powers of Europe,
tar from protesting against its provisions,
have adopted them, They have perceived
that its execution must be complete, to rem.
der IL more efectua., and it has seemed
easy to reconcile these measures with the
observance of treaties, especially at time
when the infactions by England of the
rights OF all maritime powers render their
interests common, and tend TO mite them in
suPPor. cf The sane cause" Here we find
the motive for the embargo. The princi.
pal nations OF Europe had adopted the de-
cree but to render it more ,ffectual, :. its
execution must be complete" 1t could
not be complete while the u. States carried
On their extensive trade-equal, if not su-
pefior, before the fatal embargo, to that of
al Europe, the British islands excepted.
ne facts TO be found in Mr. Jetfe, sons
own otlcial communications to Congress,
cave us at liberty to form no other conclu.
lion than this-That he recommended the
smbargo in order TO render the operation
II the Milan decree " complete" Recol-
ect what | have before mentioned GIN No.
XII that in less than three months after
ne date OF Cbampaguy's letter, and in four
Jays after its arrival, with the other dis.
patches, at Washington, Mr. Jefferson re-
commended the embargo. Four days Gas
had occasion long ago to rcmark) gave
l'tle time to digest and mature SUCH a
PLAN; and that the people Of the u. States
would have been shocked at an open propo.
'ltlon to shut their ports against the Eng
lsh commerce, and to abandon all trade,
At the command or invitation of the French
emperor; they would not have endured it.
ne measure could be accomplished only
by an embargo--sn indie finite embargo
and that wrapped up in the mystery which
have attempted, and trust successfully,
20 unfold.
TIMOTHY PICKERING.
Nay 90, 1911.