Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-07-22


such gloomy speculations, because we
might be involved in war with England
contrary to OUR wishes. The evil, know,
would be tremendous. Many valuable
lives would be lost, and property to an
immense amount destroyed. For this
reason philanthropist would sincerely Ia
ment contest between the two nations.
II woaid produce vast deal of mischief,
without the smallest benefit to either par
tv. ne should not be SO silly as to at
tempt to conquer England :; nor would the
English be such fools as to attemptaa con-
quer the United States. The on y GER
tain effect of such war would be, jto SOW
the seeds Of future, perhaps everlasting
disccrd.
On the other hand, let us look at the
advantages of Peace, always to be presery-
ed by wise people while it can be done
with honor. Coulda jjudicious Treaty be
now negotiated between America and Bri
tain, we should have open to us the trade
Of all the West India islands, which alone
is an object Of no inconsiderable conse-
1uence to our merchants and farmers.
And as Great Britain is now, and is likely
to continue, the firm ally of Spain and
Portugal, we, as her friends, would he
freely admitted into all their ports in Eu-
rope aud south-America. This, with
free trade to England. lrelanda and Scotland,
and the British dsminions in the East-ln-
dies, would be commerce extremely lu-
cratiye, amply rewarding the enterprise
of our citizens. Is all this to be sacri-
feed for few peccadilloes, Or to crafty
the malice Or revenge OF disorganizing
cut throats? Or are we to be deprived OF
the privileges and benefits of foreign com
merce, which enriches all classes Of citi-
| zens, for the sake Of resortins to philo
| sopllicaI substitutes? Sir, hope our ru-
Iers have more sense. The experiment
will not answer. \ military despot may
imputlent,y undertake to change the ha-
bits Of whole people; but in free
country such an attempt never can be sub
United to. We are by nature as we'll as
by inclination commercial people; our
ancestors, by means Of commerce. obtain
ed wealth and responsibility by the same
means we have risen to strength, opuience
and ease and these are not to be relin-
pushed to crafty the idle whim-Whams
of modern philosopher. know, indeed,
| isonapartc boasts that he will find sutStl-
liutes for foreign commodities, such as
coffee, sugar and tea. know, too, he has
! before boasted of what he has not yet ac-
| compIished. nor ever will. But let him
try this proiect. 1t will tickle the vanity
OF the French at first: its novelty will
| make il current for season, like every
thing else one or two ingenious chemists
will produce some resemblance to the o.
ri%inal: but the best medicines have fai-
Zen into disrepute from the cupidity OF
Quacks these Substitutes will share the
| same fate; and after some score OF the
| Emperor's subjects have been poisoned by
some cunning impOstOrs. these very dis
| c0ceries will be held in greater contempt
| than ever.
But, Sir, there are some folks who Will
g:ayely tell you, We cannot preserve peace
with England without going to war with
France. Why, if Bonaparte values our
/ friendship at so mean rate, ii he does not
! wish to possess it exception terms disgrace
full to us. in the name OF Freedom let us
set his wrath at defiance! Are we TO be
frightened by such a h"aggadocio Was
he not expelled from Egypt with his In
| vinciples, flushed with the ardor of con-
quest and youthful ambition? And are
| tI,e two millions and half ofaA;ect slaves
who iahabit that devoted country, compa-
rable to the eight millions d; americans.
breathing The p're and in'igoratins air OF
liberty: Surely not. Bat perhaps his
present legicas are more formidable than
the C0oqoo:ais d italy. Look into Spain
and Portugal. u his very elbow. where
his wac:@ ;.ower has been resisted for
years, a24 his armies defeated with dis
grace. lis rue. in both these instances
he WAS opposed by British valor: That
zee should not stand in need Of, thank God
We are able to fight our own battles: but