Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-10-30

both prephesied the immediate downfall
Of, England; but not in the mournfei
stratus of Jeremiah. Yet England still
lives amongst the nation. Of the earth <
battles their predictions.
MIR. Calhoun, an Influential member
of Congress, prophcsicd that Gin four
weeks after the declaration of war, we
should be in possession Of all Upper &
part of Lower Canada." I blush to
say how far Mr.. C's prediction is from
ful6lment.
The leaders of both houses of Con-
gress sent forth prophecies, that the
Treasury would overflow with patriotic
loans, and the ranks of the army with ra-
pid enlistments, yea, that money and
arms would not in fact be necessary, as
the colonies of the enemy would certain.
ly fall before tiae force Of a republican
proclamation. All which alas does vet
await fulfIment.
A member of Congress from Mary
land, whese tone reminds his hearers of
one Of Balaam's fsmiiy that also prophe-
cied Of old, and pember from the state
of Kentucky, put forth their propEs etc
declarations, that tar and feathers should
compose the dress of those who should
dare to dispute their wisdom in pMng-
ing the nation into war.
If they had confined this prophecy to
the respective states which they repre-
sent, they might indeed plead partial
ful6lment thereof, but extending it to
our country at large, the disgrace of its
accomplishment has not been brought
upon it. :.
In all the cases mentioned the parties
have scorned to clcthc their predictions
in the ambiguous manner ct the Delphic
Oracle, admitting construction to suit
any event; but by the downright, uhe7,
quivocal terms which they used, SO de-
scrip;ive oftheir feeling, unshacklcd by
reason, they have at least established
their claims to the inspirations Of demo-
cracy, ii hot to the spirit of prophecy.
But to come to the point !; what l had in
view at this time to propose was, that as
the great advantages resulting from the
division of labor, are new we'll under
stood, and the principls being applica.
bic as wei! to the Affairs Of government
s-to other business, as has been admit
ted by the division of executive duties
into department of state, Of finance, Of
war, &C. I could wish therefore, that
there should forthwith be established a
detaytment Of Prophecy. And whereas
the appointments 10 Office have lately
been made, upon the principle of draw.
ing of from the ranks of opposition cha.
raclers capable of serving the admins
-tration, therefore l would recommend
that the Indian Prophet be seduced from
the service Of the enemy and placed at
The head of this department, and which
indeed will be the more necessary and
proper in Itself, from the unfortunate TAI.
lures which have taken place as afore.
said, shelving want OF capacity amongst
us in that calling. And whereas the re-
representatives. from Mary land and Ken
lucky before alluded to, have come
nearer to the truth in their predictions
than any other republican prophets in or
about the government, would further
more propose (agrecsbly to wise sug-
eestion in relation to the war department
unfortunately rejected) that the said
representatives SHOULD be appointed
crulches to the department., SO thai when
in process of time their red brother shall
be gathered to his fathers, they may be
duly qualified for the duties of the sue
cession. The President will, rm per-
suaded, fnd infinite advantage III the a.
doption Of the plan hereby suggested,
in as much as whenever prophecy shall