Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-05-11
From the Boston RefertOry.



constant and laborious management OF my Ut
tie farm, can i'll spare the time necessary TO
the examination of the state of our pubic al
fairs. and the conduct of our rulers. But 1
consider my farm, my labor, and my lie or
small account, if our public affairs are TO pro-
coed in their present downward course y
therefore suspend my labours IN order to lay
before YOU some facts, some truths, ana soule
reflections, which conceive highly important
TO your interests safety and freedom; with
which nv own are indissoiubly united. nc
attempt, confess, is attended with discourage
ments. Newspapers are the usual means Oh
conveying information to you: and tree press
has ever been considered as the shield OF our
rights and liberties bat those means are per-
yerted, and that shield is changed INTO mis-
chieyous weapon of annoyance. Mlsrepresen-
tations and falseheoGs spread over the coun-
try in Newspapers devoted not to the Puohc
welfare, but to build up and support party
who seek their own and not your advantage
have deceived you into belief that your ma
tional rulers have conducted your affairs wisely,
and honestly and that they and those who
are their protested admirers and abetterS In
the several states, are the only friends to the
neo,le. the only real patriots. And how are
YOU to be undeceived!" how are you to come
to the knowledge ofthe truth!' A vast pro-
portion of the people read those Newspapers
only, which, with fatal industry disseminate
the MISREPRESENTATION and falsehoods which
have deceived you. They studlously omit &
reject all those truths which would correct the
errors by which so many are influenced to
their own harm and the approaching ruin Oh
their country If, however, my voice cannot
reach you all, it may be heard by many, and
contribute to their confirmation IN the patriotic
course they now pursue.
WAR WITH GREAT-BRITAlN.
Yesterday received from an experienced,
discerning, and upright member ofCongress,
a letter dated the Sd instant, In which he says
g The aspect of affairs more strongly indicates
WAR approaching, than at any other period
during the session. Ibeleve, until very late
", some confidence has been placed IN the
effect of our scarecrow plan OF warfare, orthat
the din of our preparations would produce
on the part of Great Britain, a relaxation IN
her maritime system. 1t has entirely failed
in its intended effect; and has, on the contra
nv, produced union in Great-Bntaln ); SO
that now our government has no choice lett,
but either to reccde from the ground they
have taken, or proceed to the last resort -
that is, to WAR. e 1 have all along been
fearful that a series of plumbers and misman-
agement, to give them no harsher eplthet,
would lead to that result. My Tears are,
believe, like to be realized. The high sense
of honor which the advocates OF the present
measures profess, forbids retreat p: there IS,
therefore, no alternative but to hight Ii the
people at large have that high sense OF nation
al, or rather Congressional honor, which men
of this stamp profess, they have nothing to do
but to shed their blood & waste their treasure,
in the prosecution Of this war" My respecta-
Bile friend then adds, g The crisis is fast ap-
preaching. The advocates of the present war
have been all along Hattering themselves that
it would be popular war. That impression
will, I think prove fallacious. Great attention
will be paid to the approaching elections e
5ery vo!e gi0en for Gerry IN Massachusetts,
quH be considered here as rote in Joror Of
The zpar measures Of Congress-
Yes, fellow citizens, abandoning your great
EST ard best interests, you arc to engage IN
destructive war for honour--You are to hight
for honot.r-for Congressional honour"--(a
happy distinction of my friends mot ter ma
tional honour, but for the honour of set of
men, a majority of whom, together with the
administration, and Thomas Jefferson, (the
mdsterspring) at their head, have been revil-
ed. and 6gufatively speaking, cuffed, and spit
upon by Bonaparte.-To his own subjects,
while he grinds them to powder by his exac-
tons for his treasury and his armies, he yet
shews some respect, but TO our rulers in all
his words and actions for four years past, no.
thing but contempts, And finally, he has told
them explicitly that they were " destitute Of
bonour - all which they have borne with the
tamencss of slaves. And yet these men now
talk Of honour and are urging you into war
to defend lit! No, fellow-citizens! it is war