Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-07-31

being Of force greatly superior to the
Guerrier) then the administration story
would have been, that after waiting near
four wears to receive satisfaction for the
attack ON the frigate Chesapeake, with
out obtaining it (although prevented sole
| " by their own misconduct they had
row taken satisfaction for themselves
But the action Of the Little Belt will serve
their purpose just as we'll. Connecting
the long chase with the circumstances Of
the action, the proceedings on the part of
the American frigate admits Of no .justifi-
cation. 1t is impossible that it should pass
over without demand, on the part Of G.
Britain, of an explanation and satisfae-
ton and as satisfaction will be refused,
war will ensue.
" But what madness Git may be said)
to provoke war with Great Britain, when
we have no feet-nO army-nO money in
the treasury-but a remnant Of revenue
from commerce, and that to be aunihilated
as soon as war takes place-without taxes,
,or the courage to impose them-and with
out credit to borrow, as any government
must be which is destitute of funds to pay
regularly the interest and ensure the pay
nent of the principaln'
These, to be sure, would present, to
ordinary statesmen, strong and insurmOun-
table objections to war, but none to our
wise and economical rulers. Ours will
be the most simple and easily conducted
war that was ever waged, since nations
began to quarrel. This will be its fashion.
The want of revenue will make it neces-
sary to lay up our vessels Of war, to rot
in the warm fresh water of the eastern
branch of the Potomac at Washington.*
The small band of troops called the army,
will necessarily become still smaller. II
the state possessed Of seaports wish to
defend them, their respective legislatures
must provide for the expense. Iffor want
of an adequate defence they should be
burnt-why so much the better. Mr..
Jefferson, the enlightened oracle of demo
cracy, when obecting Gas he formerly did
objcct) to the establishment Of manufac-
lures in the United States, and consider
ing them as the means of producing the
condensed population which forms great
cities, sagely remarked-that s. the MODS
meaning the mass of the population of
great cities, add just so much to the sup
port of pure government, as sores do TO
the strength Of the human body."t Great
cities are of course great sores; and for
great and invetcrate sores, cautery, or
burning, is an effectual operation. The
want of revenue will also prevent the fur
Their payment Of the public debt, or even
the interest of it. But necessity has no
law. The government will profess ex-
treme regret !; and satisfy the people lex
cept the public creditors) by ascribing
their inability to pay, to the unjust war
waged against us by G. Britain, whose
power as Mr.. Jefferson says on the ocean
is so ascendant" as to render commerce,
Our only material source Of revenue, i'm
practicable. Many Jealous partizans of
the administration will not think any apo
legy to be needful. They willnot hesitate
to say openly, that the public debt is due
chiefly to Enslishmen-and let them lose
it, or wait until peace shall enable the
country to fulfill its obiigations.t TO the
inhabitants Of the seaports who have sub
sisted by trade, and to sca-faring men,
they may say-Wc have immense terrific
ries open for your reception-tine lands
which wait only for hands to cultivate them.
TO such of them as do not incline to emf
CRATE into the wilderness and become far
mers, but remain attached to commerce,
navigation and the tisheries-they will
say-l'rade is out of the question-but
the British merchant vessels monOpoliz-
ing the commerce Of the world, cover the
ocean: Fit cut priyateers--we will give
YOU commissions. Make your fortunes if
you call--and by your prizes supply the
habitual wants of the people. BY priva-
teering too, you will show your patriotism;
for the duties On your prize goods may
furnish that quantity of revenue which
will be indispensabiy necessary for the
public selvice-to wit--to maintain the
public officers, and pay the members Of