Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-07-01

from superior force. ] DO not by these ob
servatons wish to be understood as meapin.
to insinuate at it would be possible fer y, -
raise feet at this moment, which would =.
able to cope with that Of Great Britain. R,t
If we have not the means Of sforcine oro;4c.
ticn against any malitinit power, scarceIy ..
pai.st Algiers, we ought to be cautious abon,
entering into war with the greatest maritime
power il, the void, bile VIC are wholly dee.
titpte Of the means Of carrsng ii on to ef{ect
and we ought to be III particular manner
cautious about looming a valuable ci7ss Of
oar citizelrs 10 inevitable destruction, in quest
of that iaritime protection which the nation
conf sses itself 0 be Wholly incompetent TO
afford. Had one tenth part 81 the property
Destroyed BY the operation ct our laws by
enbargoes, non-intcrcoWseS, sc. connected
with what has been squandered upon gun
boats, torpetoes, and such Ike Qttfxetic expe-
riments, been laid out in notifications, ard in
pre- pairing the means ol az efficient naval de.
fence, do not believe that VIC would have cx.
periepccd those expressions on our uaritme
rights of which we so loudly complain, and to
aveBge hich we must nov 20 TO war. Dc
had we been then Obliged 10 have recourse to
the last resort, We might hive been better pre-
pared to meet the crisis.
And what IS that mighty boon which we ey-
pect to obtain by war, should it even prove
successful! WHY repeal Of the orders in
council, aad the priyiiedge OF a free trade 70
France, where perhaps, instead Of ha5lng our
vessels subjected to French burnings On lie
ocean, we might have he opportunity ot pac,
ing an immense property within tie grasp of
the empeto or, to be subjected 90 somc !ntuEe
Rambou,iet decree. But WHAT'S tbe trade 10
France worth under the present system OF I'M
pesial municipal regulations: Every inteill-
gent merchant will answer nothing. Our cot
ton never can encounter the present tariff OF
French duties, and our tobacco is dead loss
to the shipper As il respects the amount Of
exports for the last year, document furnished
by the treasury department, which IS IN the
hands Of every member of the house, gives
doubtless. correct information. Not having
lately turned to the document, | SPEAK only
from memory and III round numbers:5g But
believe am substantially correct whensi state
the whole amount Of exports Of articles. Of do
mestIc growth and manufacture, at su4nex-
ceeding As millions Of d=liars. Of this sum
The value of upwards Of So millions were ex-
ported to the domiaions of Great Britain and
TO Spain and Portugal, and less than two mil
ions to France and Italy, believe something
more than 100000. For the sake OF an eX-
port trade Of less than two millions, and even
that small plttancc 50 oppressed With eXtrava-
giant duties, as 20 make 1t worth little or no.
thing to the merchants, and must so continue
until there is radical change IN the French
system. we are abont TO make sacrifice OF
ali our other gaininl export trade, & encoun-
Ter d runous war into the bargain. If this is
not to be what is vnlgarIy called penny wise
and pound foolish, | know not, to what it IS
that we can with propiiety give the appella'
ton.
Ia /