Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-07-16
Far the .iierdndriG Ga-ette.
VIRCISI4, JULr. 1911.
JOUDOUN-No. IN.

Canada being the emily point in which
we can assail the British empire, 1t IS OF
particular Importance 10 turn our atten-
ton TO the consequences Of such an enter
spr;ze. The Southern and Western states,
from their peculiar population and spare
ness of settlement, will have enough 10
do in preserving internal tranquility and
in defending themselves against that pre-
datory war, TO which more than any other
they are exposed. The army provided
for the conquest of Canada Will therefore
he furnished. if not wholly, Yet principal
l.. by the states North OF the Susquehan-
nah These states will furnish such a
norton of the officers and soldiers. that 1t
NAV in strictness be styled the ar.'ny Of the
:1orth, bearin. all the feelings and iniiu-
eaced by the local interests, prejudices q
Missions Of that section Of the nation; and
Tilt should prove adequate to the conquest
of Canada. NAV it not become afterwards
aready Instrument in their hands. to es-
tahI;:b dominion over the South. Already
complain,s exist among them OF the inc
quality oi the present constitution, and OF
the pre ponderance of Virginia. In conse-
oacnee of the existing mode of representa-
tion. by which three fifths of our slaves
adj TO our weight in the National Legs
lature. This circumstance. combined with
that vanity and pride natural to men, IS
already producing amongst them eoali-
t;on betw cen the most hostile political par
t;es. having in view these single objects.
70 take from the Southern States the re-
presentation for their slaves, and to put
down the dominance of Virginia. The
occasion is only wanting for these projects
fully 10 deyeIope themselves. And it IS
believed that the agitation incident TO u
British war. will he seized on as the OPP
portune moment to effect their execution.
Virginia and the Southern States. the most
exposed and least defensible, will stand
too much i'm need Of the aid of their North
ern brethren to make then any opposition
especially, as by Virginia the war will
principally be provoked and produced.
Thus our government will be suddenly
and fundamentally changed. And by the
change the power of the South will be
transferred to the North and the seat
Of government will probably follow it !;
from which so many benefits have been
anticipated by the eircumjacent country,
par, of which we inhabit. Such will. 1t Is
feared. be one of the immediate political
effects OF war with Britain. Common
dancer may for time keep the nation to-
se,6er. But under such circumstances,
Union cannot long endure. The South
Gill be excited to sever from the North,
and the West frGIn the East. But such
an attempt. whether successful or not,
will he ealamitous in the extreme. Ii
successful. the North will still rule our
trade. and in that manner impose a KIND
of yassalage on us or we must seek
Dowe,.Gul ally ia Europe who will dictate
the conditions of his assistance. But per-
hans patient submission might be the most
prudent course. The North. possessed OF
the political. the military and naval force,
and free from any internal canker to pa
ralize their efforts. will be an Oyermatch
for tie South. To change the course OF
power being then impossible, wisdom may
dictate rather an endurance of the evils
which our own folly shall have brought
upon us, than TO rush on greater.
John Adams was accused by his enc
mics of having declared that the southern
states were only fit to he ''hewers OF woot
and drawers of water to the Northern
This declaration, whether ever uttered
BY him OF not (it is probable it never was
virginia is taking every step to realize
Instead OF being content with her presen
power, she eagerly presses forward to tn
most dangerous experiments, which in thu
e.d must conduct US to Revolution, b.
which she will be shorn forever OF hel
s;,i-ndor ans pewer.
Eu, suppose that none Of these events
Sc .s,ai &c her power, shall happen. 4
vii! sot be denied, that it will require
powerful army and enormous expenditure