Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-08-03

:
speech is INDUCED without fear in all parts Of
! of the union, and private property is univer-
| sally protected. This last argument seems
! perfectly conclusive in Mr.. Madison's favor
Let the people do him justice at the next cleo
ton. -.--
! FROM THE VIRGINIA PATRIOT.
E.rtract 9f q letter from Boston, dated July
10Th.
"* ~ and we moreover here consider
the freedom of the press in the southern
states, (though not we trust permanently ST.
lenced,) at present so overawed that few, if
any, dare unreservedly utter their candid sem
tments on the present situation of our affairs
! 1t was, without doubt, the expectationof many
of the members of congress, that as soon as
war should be declared, there would be an
end to the opposition heretofore displayed a
gainst the present administration nor have
any doubt but that this expectation had much
effect not only on some of the members of
congress, but on the administration. The
hope was wholly false.
To me it is utterly astonishing that Mr..
Madison should have been SO ignorant OF the
disposition and spirit of the people of the
northern states. He has already discovered,
or soon will discover, that the people of this
| section of the union at least, will fearlessy
utter their sentiments on the Foley, the mo-
| tiueS, the probable issue and the erhected is
sue of the war. The press here at least will
be free free to all parties. In this town,
| where, setting aside the officers Of govern
ment, agents, contractors, eXpectans OF office,
| military officers, sc. nine renths are opposed
| 10 the war; should mob attempt to destroy
| the Chronicle Or Patriot office, (two violent
! French estabishme the fedcralists would
| turn cut and at every rlsque preserve them.
| The conduct Of the Baltimore mob, and the
more vile conduct OF the police of that place,
| meet here with the undiaguised execration OF
+! both parties Yet 1t is feared that the lnfa-
/ nous conduct Of the mob there has spread
| such an awe over the federal presses of the
| south that the freedom OF the press is virtu-
/! ally at an end: that you dare not in Virginia
| after your sentiments, unless they are in uni
son with the administration. Dare you even
! publish the address of the minority in con-
| sress
Mark we'll, if you please, my prophecy.
| II this restraint over the press long continues
| with you it will be to general injury, but to
! eour more immediate and far greater and
longer continued distress, if not eventually
| ruin If your presses dare not disseminate the
arguments and publications against the war,
the bulk Of your people will ignorantly uphold
| what will shortly produce separation of the
| states, and consequences which cannot escape
your foresight.
do not misunderstood me. You well
| know | am no advocate for dissolution of the
union. Such are not the wishes of the wsest
! and best amongst US. But, this war will not
| long be continued, in my apprehension, with
| out the adoption Of measures that must lead
to disunon.
/" Nine tenths at least of the people of this
state, and of New E gland generally are OPP
posed to this war: and will not long support
it. The old county of Hampshire, containing
about eighty thousand souls, had last week a
convention OF delegates from 6fty-eight towns.
| Their resolutions you will see. You may con-
slider this county convention only prelude to
! others to be held through the state, to be sue
| ceeded by general convention of the whole
| state. Whatever zvarmth YOU may suppose
appears is in tact but ice compared with the
resolutions that will be adopted and will be
! carried into erecution, before many months
F.; shall leave US
81 have not time nor room to give you all
! my reasons for all my belief, but, beg of you,
weigh well my prediction; which is, that if
| the people of Virginia and the other southern
states shall appear to acquicsce In this war,
and Mr.. Madison should again be elected pre-
sident, he will be president of but fart Of
I the union. The northern states will not sup
port the war; will not forego commerce.
And, if such thing as treaty of alliance
with France should be Publicly avowed, it
will convince the northern states of its long
past actual existence, and will unite the great
body Of the people of these states in measures
Of dlsunion.