Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1811-01-21
WAsHtxorox, JAN. ., 1914.

. wondering world on the last day OF
rae year, and L hope they are the last
~ the kind that will ever Disgrace this
nation. know bat little about great
national affairs, MIR. Printer--the
science Of government have never stu
thed-it is a business out oil my Line !;
and L supposed it was In the hands OF
,voblc who understood it. Butt must
cWliess, that after reading these dis
GRACEFUL papers, | had my doubts.
carinot think so bad Of the administra-
zion As to suppose they would deliber-
4telI, and With malice sforethought
os,rSy the character and prosperity OF
ne dation, much less ruin the nation
ea;irblv. What then am / to think OF
such proceedings. The President has
declared that The edicts Of France have
ceased TO effect neutral commerce /;
end in consequence OF this declaration,
EIr. (sallatin has declared that after
The ID Of February next the intercourse
with @. Britain will cease That is,
fb,4ngIinterrrefed } thet on the q Feb,
next the United States will be al War
With Great Britain, and unite her ener-
sies with the Emperor of The French
10 distress and annoy the enemy. For
restriction on commerce Is all The war
fare welhave lately waged and all We
are hkelto wage under the present adj
ministrakion But what say the dOcu-
raents What says Mr.. Secretary
Smith? Why, that the DEGREES Of
France kkVe NOT ceased TO effect neu-
trail commerce. That in fact if Great
Draitain was at this moment sunk in
the ocean, never 10 rise, according TO
the existing DEGREES of the Emperor
we could have no trade with any part
of Europe. And what says the good
Mons. Tutreau in answer ?-Why, in
substance thus To be sure the En-
peror has not yet opened commerce TO
You, excep, under special licences, and
the reason is obvious he is not quite
certain that you will strictly obey his
commands With regard to the part you
are to take gainst Great Britain But
you may depend, if you fight as you
ought for bis Imperial Majesty, he
will treat you with the same lenity
and kindness which he does his de-
pendent. in Europe, Holland, Ham
burgh, &c. you will have every indul-
Ecnce consistent with the general good
that's, consistent with the designs of
the Emperor. We'll, after all this,
the Presidents proclamation, remains
in IuAj3rce and Virtue. We are still
10 20 to war with England on the Cd
ofFebFuary at least We are to knock
down our own merchants-cut off the
sources Of our revenue, and bring dis
1ress on the country generally. This
We shall CAL fighting England
Though in fact Great Britain appears
TO care IS lite about our restrictions, as
the inhabitants Of the shores Of the
Caspian sea-" would, should We FIRE
volley of restrictions against them
Was ever a nation in such a situation ?
Well, say some, the President has done
his duty, now let Congress do theirs.
But what can Congress do w hiCh
shall they accuse Of ialsehood, the Pre-
sIdent or Secretary Smith The e.
diets OF France have ceased 10 effect
neutral commerce. or they have not.
Ihe President has declared by procla
nation that they have ceased TO have
eBsct, and Mr.. Smith declares thai
they have not. Now, who shall decide
when doctors Disagree Shall Con
gFess proceed to act on the Presidents
proclamation, and pass a law, agreea-
Ole 10 GaEatin's Recommendation, Il
enforce the non-intercourse against our
citizens by military force Or shall
they come oct candidly and fairly, and
say the President has been guilty OF
ioiiy, 1t not something else-that there
Is 10 reason why the non intercourse
should be enforced, as there is nothing
10 De gained by i, even If il should have
The effect G forcing Great Britain tc
anandon her orders IN council, for un.
der existing circumstances no trade
Can be carried on 10 the continent. ifthf
ORDERS were removed. One would
suppose the last measure the mos, BRO.
Pe' ana oehinclal 70 the country. But
SOhSfess cannot take such measure
,ney Cannot declare against the Presi-
aent aad unless he Will relieve the
"auon' oy Teadrng back lis sfet1s, anC
reyoking the proclamation, as he did
an the case of Erskine, there can 4,
"o"ilhS Cone Congress will not be
= 'isd as 70 attempt 10 enforce the non.
intercourse by military law, under ex.
sung circumstances, they will there.
iore' IN all probability rise without de.
Gliding on the subject. Indeed, | 6nd
tht. ft.n,,cr..: . -