Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-16
From the United States Gazette.

From the latest proceedings in congress 1t
would seem that we are again just upon the
verge of bloody conflict; and, Judging from
present appearances, orders from the war de-
partment will shortly be made out, IN due
form, for taking possession OF Upper and
Lower Canada One short year has hardly
elapsed since our conqucring arms were car
ricd into Florida under the auspices oil the
redoubtablc Claiborne, who was ordered to
raise the whole military force OF the adjoining
territories, and in the name OF the y. States
to take possession Of the country, prostratlng
before him all opposition, unless, indeed, he
should chance to find any place IN the actual
possession ofan armed force, howeper s7aatt,'
in which case he was ordered onno account TO
attack but to give immediate information OF
the fact to the head of the war Department.
More recently The course OF conquest has tax
EN- a westerly direction, and it has been said,
in some of the democratic papers, that GcYer-
nor Harrison's orders for conducting the war
against the prophet of the Wabash, were not
unlike those OF Governor Claiborne-nameiy,
tnat he was to conquer Indians and Indian
countries without mercy, and without bounds,
provided he met with no opposition but, in
that event, to commence negotiations & walt
for further orders. Whethe: this be true we
know not; nor do we pretend to be acqu;int-
cd with the plan w hich may have been n,atur-
cd for the conquest Of Canada. We know,
however, what were Dogberry's instructions
to the watchmen, as recorded oy Shakespeare,
in g Mach DIDO cbaa, .Nothing;" and as they
may prove useful in the present critlca! crisis
Of affairs, we will suDioin an extract from
them, for the benefit Of those concerned
Dog6eyry to the constable of the watch
You are thought here to be the most sense
less s. fit man Tor the constable Of the watch
therefore bear YOU the ianthorn. This IS your
charge: Yon shall comprehend all vagrom
men; you are to bid any man to stand in The
princes name.
JtiatcA. How if he will not stand ,
Dogb.. Why then, take no note ofhim, but
lie, him go; and presently Cali the rest of the
watch together, and thank God you are rid OF
a knave.--Y on are to cali at all the ale houses
and bid them that are drink get them to bed.
Hatch. How ii they viii not
Dog5. Why then, let them alone till they
are sober, and If they make you not then the
better answer, you may sly, they are not the
men you took them Tor.
Uatch. Well, sir.
D2g5. If you meet thief, you may suspect
him, by virtue of vour Office, to be no true
man, and, for such kind OF men, the less you
meddle or make with them, why, the more is
for your honesty.
Watch. If we know him to be thief, shall
we not lay hands Oil him ?
Deg5. Truly, by your Office yor may ; but
think, they that touch pitch will be deG!ed.
The most peaceable way for you, if you do
take thief, is, to let him show himself what
he is, and steal out Of your company. This
is the end of the charge-Good night: an
there be any matter IF vycight chances, call Nh
me ; keep your fellows counsels * your own,
and good night.
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