Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-07-27
From the Charleston Courier.
Commerce O. la .NAPOLEOF.

4
cerns," said Bonaparts to deputatlon OIL
merchants from Hamburger. who came TO
petition him for relief from their en-
barrassments. Now il his majesty, the
Emperor and King, detest commerce anu
every thing connected with commerce, we
think it entirely fair and a just retaliation,
for commerce and all its concerns to de-
test him.
We shall prove, in a few words, that
commerce has still stronger reasons than
this mere declaration Ofhis Majesty, not
to love him very much.
Hamburger, Amsterdam. Rotterdam,
Nantz, Bordeaux, Marseilles and Leg
horn, are our witnesses to testify, that
they were all flourishing and happy cities
until Bonaparte proclaimed his enmity to
commerce. You may now pasture horse
upon the quays of these towns, and occu-
py their finest houses, if you will pay, as
a rent, the taxes Of the government and
the expences of the repairs. 'G :"
There is scarcely a merchant or trader
in the French empire who is not either
bankrupt already, or that will not shortly
become one. The richest house in specie
in Europe, failed the other day at Paris
Pierlot e Co. a house well known as the
bankers of the Generals Of the French
armies. The Generals will not like this
they cannot repair their fortunes in
Spain, and as for Lisbon plumber, it seems
as if they have had their last taste of that.
The burning of English goods, which
may have been upon an innocent mans
shelves for years, and he too loyal sub
ject ofhis Majesty, proves that the word
and the deed have, at times, some affinity
at the court of st. Cloud we would not
offend by saying that this is always the
case.
Let us leave these strangers, these
slaves Of Napoleon, to submit, with uncut
Threats. to such expressions if they are
dastardly enough to do so. We now come
to American evidence Of the Emperor's
detestation of commerce.
We say not word about Berlin, and
Milan, Rambouillet and Bayonne DEGREES.
One comes from the heart of Germany.
one from the middle of Lombardy, the
third from the interior of France, and the
other from her Southern extremity. The
next may come from Toboiski, or from
the country of the Mongoul Tartars, or
from Bagtlad; it is of no consequence in
what sort Of country such DEGREES are de-
clared: whether it be civilized or savage
the DEGREES are savage.
Wesay nothing of the DEGREES, because
Mr.. Madison has declared that their ia
Their has strangled then-they are dead.
We are talking, generally, of our COM
merce, and are proving how his Majesty
detests ia decree is neither here nor
there-the question is, how does American
commerce fare in his Majesty's dominions,
or within his Majesty's power. Names
are nothing here, we look at things.
Some little time ago 1--WE all remember
the circumstance rear admiral Baudin,
with five or six ships of war, came on a
cruising expedition into the Atlantic. He
burnt half a dozen or so of American
ships, and talked Of hanging OF drowning
some of the crews. He returned home,
covered with glory, for these gallant ex-
PlUts dHu VIC udFC ucNtf HcdFu VI LID
gaining other laurels, either before or
since he alarmed the Porpoises and Mo-
Their Carey's Chickens with the splendid
illumination Of American ships. +" His
Majesty loUes the .americans These ships
never made SO brilliant an appearance as
/! when touched by rear-admiral Baudin's
fire-master. What compliment to be
so honored, and to have our glory burn
with so bright flame, under the auspices
of an Emperor and King!
Further-We all remember how poor
MIR. Erskine was humbugged about two
years since. So much humbugged that
his own father, a violent opposition man,
never dared to call for an investigation
into the plenipo's conduct. Mr.. Madison
| made Mr.. Erskine except from the ope-
ration Of the orders In council, the ports
of Holland, leaving them coercive against
France herself. Some of our merchants
i II 81 a.. u