Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-05-22

Interior of the country by sleighs, causes tle
farmer to retain his produce until there IS
rnow, and the, all the surplus bread stuiis
and provisions ofthe year are deposited in the
market towns on the Hudson. 1t would be
recollected that lac was speaking Of the state
of York. The articles thus brought down
remain until the opening Of the river in the
spring, and they are then taken to the city
of New York for a market.
His last letters from home were OF the
95th March, and at that time the Hudson was
so closed as to admit crossing with heavy
loads, and at this moment he presumed the
navigation was not open for more than sixty
miles above Ncw-Vor From this statement,
it is perfectly obvious, that all the surplus
products Of the state of New York are now
on hand. Not a bushel of wheat or a barrel
of -four has gone to market since the setting
in of Writer Tie could not state with any to-
lerable certainty, the quantity of produce now
on hand but having witnessed the abundant
harvest of last year, he was sure he was speak
inc within hounds. when he estimated the
wheat. living on the Hudson for expectation,
at two millions of bushels. If an embargo is
laid in the present situation of the country, it
must necessarily be productive of a loss to the
SINGLE state of New York, more than equal to
anv gain which the most sanguine friends Of
the war calculated to obtain by its most favor
able termination. And are gentlemen ready
and pyilling to bring this most heavy calamity
on us-*yithout any necessity for it? If it is
with such a spirit that the war is to be com
meneed and carried on, my people will have
Aone OF it.
In another point of view, he thought the
measure highly impolitic. Much had been
said in the country about a northern and a
southern interest. lie was not in the habit of
noticing the distinction in debate, and he ne
yer had dwelt upon it for sectional purposes,
or with a view to raise sectional preJudices or
MISSIONS. But the distinction did exist, and
Il was the duty of a statesman to look at 1T
distinctly, with a view to do equal justice and
to dispense equal benefits to every part OF the
nation. Unless the government will attend to
this. we shall have local feelings and jealous
les, and the eoodly fabric, which is SO fair to
the sight, will moulder into ruin, if it does
not fall by the rude hand Of violence.
1t so happens that the embargo has not been
moved, until, according to the course OF the
season, the southern planter and farmer has
had it for some time in his power to dispose
of all his bread stuffs and large quantities
we know have been sent to New FORK and
PHILADELPHIA, where some of it now lies at the
rfsk Of the northern merchant, and ready to
be operated on by this very embargo. Is it
possible. that our northern farmers and ira
ders will not think of this, and when they do,
what must be their feelings? If they ask why,
if YOU would have an embargo, it was not
brought forward when its destructive effects
would have fallen equally on the south as on
the north, will you tell them that you were
not then prepared for war? If you do, they
may tell you, that you were as we'll prepared
on the first Of February, and might have been
on the first of January, as at this day. 1t will
be no apology.
When they address you in this temper about
the war, they may so farther and ask you
Why it was begun and if you answer them
truly, after giving the usual explanations about
the honor OF the nation and the contract with
the French emperor, you must say that it was
because the southern planter could not find a
market for his tobacco and cotton, the British
orders in council shutting US from the Euro
pean continent. And what are your prospects
there, they may say. AS to tobacco, you are
limited as to quantity, subjected to excessive
duties, and can only sell to the government or
its agent, and Of course on its own terms
The tobacco trade is not therefore worth fight
inc about. And as to cotton, the French du-
tie. and exactions are such as not to make it
a profitable article of export-And for this
the northern farmer and merchant and their
interests are to be held at nought, The truth
is, that this war is altogether for the benefit
OF the tobacco and cotton planter ofthe south,
and as it would seem, is to be carried on at
the expense and by the sacrifices of the
north.
He entreated the house seriously to consi-
der the situation Of his constituents, and if an
embargo must be laid, to allow them some
little time to make their arrangements for it.
While MIR. Emott's motion was under con
sideration, Mr.. Roberts moved the previous