Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-01-21
Continued.


If unfortunately we should be driven by Great
R,itain to that last resort; and that although
the war would be undertaken upon principles
strictly defensive yet in its operation, 1t must
necessarily become offensive on our part; ana
that congress was to determine exclusively
upon the adequacy of the means Tor conduct
ing it !; he would now proceed to enquire
more particularly, 4st-whether the committee
had recommended force more than adequate
TO the purposes of the war? and Cd. whether
it WAS within the capacity of the United States
to supply the force thus recommended
Mr.. G.. said, that in estimating the quantum
of force demanded by the existing crisis, it APP
.peared to him, gentlemen had rot given suffi-
cient consideration to the attitude assumed by
the United States in relation to the Florldas
to the extension of our southern and western
frontiers, to the late hostile acts and threaten
ings iD that. quarter nor to the Importance OF
Orleans its exposed position and detenceless
situation. These circumstances, however,
entered deeply into the consideration OF the
committee, and induced 1t to conclude that the
Whole military establishment now authorised
by law, if completed, would not be more than
sufficient, perhaps insufficient, to answer the
necessary objects of the government In the
scenes lust described it was therefore In
tender that the whole of that force should be
left free to act therein according to circum-
stances, and that the additional force now re-
commended, should act exclusively in the
northern and eastern portion OF the UNION
This force no gentleman will pretend can be
zoo great for our ob ects in that quarter, in
the event of war, unaided by the existing es-
Enlistment. Hence it was matter Of great
surprise to him, that the western gentlemen
should wish to diminish the Dumber Of men
now proposed to be raised because he believ
ed, that every man deducted from the propos-
ed force. would take one from the iorce IN
tended by the committee to protect our south
ern and western frontiers. These gentlemen,
he presumed, must be better Judges than him.
self, how many Of these men they can gene
rously spare from their own protection but
for lis part he thought there was not one to
spare from these objects, and the committee
were wiling to give the whole Of them that
destination.
With respect to the protection of Orleans,
he knew it was the expectation of the late
administration, that in the event of war, q.
Britain would possess herself of that city and
it was not their intention to incur the eXpence
FLEEING constantly prepared to repel the first
incursons of tie enemy !; he did rot know the
intention Of the present administration in that
respect, but presumed it was acting on the
same policy. In case the British should take
possession of Orleans, the western people
must necessarily be called on to drive them
out, and he doubted very much whether II
would be either very acceptable occupation.
or a verv easy task. He had always dlsap
proved of this policy, and In the event OF war
he thought it wise, not only to be prepared
for defence at all points, but to give the tilst
blow. He believed, in the end, it would be
found, not only the wisest, but the most eco
nomjcal policy, both in blood and treasure.
Having presented to the Senate the objects
to which the existing military establishment
ought to be assigned, according to the views
of the committee, he would proceed to IN
ouire, whether the additional force recon-
mended would be, more than competent to
the objects to Which it must necessarily be as
signed, and which ought unquestionably to be
effected by it. In case of war, an event he
deprecated as much as any gentleman present,
the new army would have to man your torti-
fications on the sea board from Norfolk to the
extremities of our territory north and east, and
10 occupy Canada. These are the contem-
plated and indispensable objects of this army,
in the estimation of the executive and the hon
orabsk mover, as we'll as of the committee -
The question viii therefore turn upon the &C
curacy and correctness of their respective
calculations as to the quantum of force neces-
corn, +a efart these objects. .
1t will appear, said Mr.. Giles, from the
census lately taken, that the population of the
United States is perhaps not less than seven
and an half millions of souls Now, sir, this
must be population of most extraordinary
character and Under the influence of go-