Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-02-14

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Tot apprcach nearer, lest we too shas 1A
into its vortex and be torn to piece, !.
whirlwinds In such STERN. di,,D,
are, we cannot expect to escape witson,
harm. Hitherto the real injury has b.es -
than could have been expected. I;lD 9.'
mariners we have now laid our shi, "a ,I|
have only to keep it in that position, ~.
will be well again. But can we kecn;:.,
position This may not depend on ou,,.,
The bold projects ayowed by eopsn;r,
members Of congress of taking Canal,
va Scotia and Florida, may be viewed \.
governments of Britain AID Spain as ,b,,
intended to be executed as soon as an ad.o,,
military force can be provided. There is -
ger that under these circumstances the,
strike first. II that case war will be pn,,o;,
bic with all its disastrous consequence. =,
the angry threats Of congress will be The c,p..
Why tempt Britain to strike this blow ~.
not rather justify our present military De,
rations to our country and to the world bvd.
clarirg them necessary to counteract any ho.
tility which may result in consequence Of ON,
enforcing the non-importation act, by decar,,
that they are only intended in the langusc, d
the President "to put the nation into an A.
NOR and an attitude demanded by the crisis
and to prepare for contingent danger. llt
sinccrely hoped that Britain will view them
this light, and, regardless of the threats
individuals, will not strike until Congress
shall in the forms Of the constitution d.
clare war. One motive, and strong OIL.
she las, to disregard these Geearstca
of individuals She may be assured tat
if she takes the first aggressive step there
will be no difficulty in obtaining enlist,
ments-not Of the dregs, but of the best bod
of the land--there will be then no difhcuya
calling into t1ll action all the effective strength
of the nation, and all its fiscal energies TAa
would really an irresistible torrent be poured
on Canada, Nova Scotia, and the FIogida.-
But perhaps France requires US to gofGrthf
and if we refuse, will wage war on US
Let her do so-she cannot hurt US. All that
we shall lose, will be our present uncertain
trining, and improbable trade with SeE donf
mons. BIT we Shall gain an exemption from
her vices. In the present crisis it is well to
arn--it is wise to provide an internal pveDO'
but unwise to ayow the intention, or to uR |
dertake an invasion of Canada, Nova SCOTS
and Florida. The sufferings Of Britain from
the effects of our non-importation act, Willie
greater than our sufferings from the occIus@ |
of our trade with France Let us thenn0@
further than we have unwisely pledged ou
selves to France to go. BY good faIth ~e''
now bound to enforce the non-inportation Nv
Let US do so-and provide for the worst Il "
be the consequence. If we rashiy beglna"
of conquest, the government VIII DC ao~0u''
ed by tue people. A war waged by Us '"''
be popular-that is, it must DC neV'taON' ",'
therefore necessary, to unite the P'"P''
its support, and to insure success. "A u'''"
ton of war under present circumstances
an INVASION of Canada, vii! rot be So
give to our preparations their PFoS'
racter, there ought to be soac toFii"' ~,
ration made by congress as to, Their '"J
They will sport with the peace ana c'a'''
terests of the nation, if by an ainO'S''
Of conduct-by an arttu! oOe'T
Of their real dcs;sEs--by constant L" .-e
thcy induce Britain to strike It IS '''''
wonderful that some member OF co.'s :,,
not moved Dronosit;on 10 try tbs qu'''