Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-03-20
rec. irritating the maritime states.

CprFeG. 1TfiEdttDA SuC uudtAtiAA~ e@s~
The high price of all American produce IN
France furnishes a temptation which mercan-
Tile ayarice will be unable to resist. The con-
sequence is obvious. But if, instead of con
demning the vessels and cargoes which may
be arrested in pursuing this prohibited com
merce. they should be compelled to 90 into a
British port and there permitted to sell them,
| think the friends of England in these states,
would not utter a complaint. Indeed, L have
nc doubt that ii, in the prosecution OF a law
ful voyage, the British cruizers should treat
American ships in this manner their owners
would in the present state OF the European
markets, think themselves very fortunate, as
it would save them the trouble and expence
of landing them in a neutral port, and from
thence reshipping them to England, now the
best market in Europe for the produce OF this
country. The government of the y. States
would probably complain, and Bonaparte be
como peremptory but even that would only
tend to render the opposition in the northern
states more resolute and accelerate the disso-
luton OF the confederacy. The generosity
| and Justice of Great Britain would be extolled
and the commercial states exult in the success:
of individuals over a government inimical to
commerce., and to whose measures they car
NJ longer submit with patient acqu e cence.
The elections are began and | presume ne
vigilance or industry will be RENTED to in
sure the success OF the federal party.
am, &c. A. b.
P. S. Intelligence has reached Boston, thai
a non intercourse law has actually passed, and
that Martinique has surrendered to the Bri-
fish forces.
No. 9.
Boston, March l3, 1909.
Sir-You will perceive from the accounts
that will reach you in the public papers both
from Washington and Massachusetts, that the
tederalists ofthe northern states have succeed
ed in making the Congress believe, that with
such an opposition as they would make under
the general government, a war must be con-
fined to their own territory, and might be e
ven too much for that government TO sustain.
The consequence is, that after all the parade
and menaces with which the session
ed, it has been suffered to end without carry
ing into effect any of the plans of the admins
%tratlon, except the introduction of commercial
intercourse with England and France-an e
vent that was anticipated In my former letters.
Under what new circumstances the Con
gress will meet in May, will depend on the
state elections and the changes that may in
the mean time take place in Europe. With
regard to G. Britain, she can scarce mistake
her true policy in relation to America. lie
peace be the first object, every act which can
i~rritate the maritime states ought to be avoid
ed, because tie presaming disposition of
these will generally be sufficient 10 keep tie
government from hazarding any hostile mea-
ure.---H war between America and
France be a grand desideratum, something
-L l. "a -
ry policy must be adopted, which will leave
the democrats without a p~retext for hostilities !;
and Bonaparte, whose passions are too hot
for delay, will probably compel this govern
ment to decide whether of the two great bel
ligerents is to be its enemy. To bring about
a separation of the states, under distinct and
independent governments, is an affair of more
uncertainty; and, however desirable, cannot
be effected but by a series of acts and long
continued policy, tending to %irritate the south
ern and conciliate the northern people. The
former are agricultural, the latter a CONNER
cial people. The mode of cherishing and de-
pressing either is too obvious to require illus
tration. This, / am aware, is an object of
much interest in G. Britain, as it would for
ever secure the integrity Of His NIajesty's pos
sessions on this continent, and make the two
governments, or whatever number the present
confederacy might form into, as useful and as
much subject to the influence of G.. Britain as
her colonies can be rendered. But it is an OBJ
Ject only to be attained by slow and circum-
spect progression, and requires for its con-
summation more attention to the affairs which
agitate and excite parties in this country, than
q. Britain has yet bestowed upon it. An un-
popular war-that is a war produced by the
hatred and prejudiees of one party, but against
the consent of the other party, can alone pro-
duce a sudden separation of any section of this
country from the common head.
At all events, it cannot be necessary to the
preservation of peace, that G.. Britain should
make any great concession at the present mo.
ment more especially as the more important