Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-07-27

Bill declaring War against 6feaI-of"af", 80
the 3l8t Of October.
CONTINUED.
Weare about to make common cause with
man who hates Us Tor our language and des-
pises us for our government and who would
tomorrow If he had the means, without seek
ing pretence, add US to the list OF his con-
ouered provinces. This connection should
not be hastily formed. To other nations 1t has
been the forerunnes of their sublugation and
ruin. Let US take time to consider the con-
sequences of step upon which the destiny oil
the nation depends We may profit by delay,
but can gain nothing by preciPitancy. The
war will not hastily remove the orders In coun-
Gil. 1t is the principle of the orders rather
than their effect Of which we complain. The
trade to France, which they interdict, is OF
little consequence to the country Its annual
amount is less than three millions of dollars,
and YOU fad it onerated With duties SO eSceS
sive, & restricted to such articles of exchange,
that even if enjoyed in safety it would be pro
ductive of little profit to individuals or to the
nation. If, however. you declare war at TIL.
time, you lose the trade TO Great Britain and
her dependencies, equalto thlrty-fve millions a
year, without gaining the paltry trade with
France. The laws OF war will operate still
more extensively than the orders in council !;
and though no doubt we shall crafty the en-
peror of France, we shall enjoy little COM
merce with his dominions. As it regards
therefore, our interest, it is found in prolracl-
ing the present state OF affairs. Some gen
tlemen considered that the honor of the ma
ton called for immediate hostiities. Ii is
admitted that country is bound to defend It's
honor, nor can its interest be we'll separated
from its honor But what honor can you &C
quire by going to war in your presen; unpre
pared and feeble state. In respect to nations,
their glory and their success are nearly allied.
A vaaquished nation gains no honor however
Just It's cause may be. You have certainly no
force prepared to enter Canada. Your army
is still TO be formed. 1t is to be found on pa
per, bnt not in the field. With militia, no in
vasion of a foreign territory can be contem-
plated, They are not bound to pass your from
tiers, and DESTROYS they cannot be to shed their
blood, in order to add by conquest to the un
wieldly territories OF the United States Is
it on the ocean that we are to look for laurels,
with twenty ships opposed to thousand =
The most desperate courage cannot command
success against such fearful odds The loss
of our navy and OF our commerce must be the
consequences of the war upon the ocean--and
is this the honor gentlemen are so impatient
to enjoy.
Theirs was reason to believe that Britain
would feel TIE war only through It's restrictive
effects. At this moment especially, she stood
in need Of our produce as well as our market
The embargo and non-importation, which de
MED her both, were undoubtedly felt. The
objection to them was their re-acting upon
ourselves. The great question was whethel
We did not inf1ici upon ourselves a deeper
wound than upon our adversary. If such were
the case, it vas Il strange mode of retaliating
But if this be the edge of the war, which is to
wound the enemy--had we not better retain
our present condition The war is not neccs
sary TO execute the restrictive system; and If
restriction be the chief effect of war, had We
not better bear with the evils Of this system,
than involve ourselves at the same time in
the calamities of war
Mr.. B. said that this motion wa. recon-
mended by the strong consideration, that by
postponing the declaration of war, we could
lose nothing, and certainly would gain great
deal Hostilides would be suspended during
the present year. In the mean time, you will
be employed In raising and dsciplning your
army and in providing the munitions of war
your vessels, property and seamen may be
brought home, and you have the chance OF
propitious events which may interpose.
England at this moment is in a convulsed
and distracted state. Tumults, little short of
instruction have happened in different parts
of The kingdom. The present ministry hold
their places by very precarious tenure. The
real disposition, and intentions of the Prince
Regent are not distinctly and certainly known
The Prince may be forced to yield to the po-
pular sentiment. We had lately seen the
corporation of London come forward with an
address against the Orders in Council. This