Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-02-05
QUEBEC, January Is.
To the Editor ofthe Quebec Mercury.

habitants OF these provinces, upon the ctillCai
state of our politicalsrelations with the United
States. set out with thorough CONVICTION,
in nv own mind, that war is at no great dis
lance; and that we shall soon be called upon
to defend every thing dear to us against sys-
tenn Of warfare, grounded upon the avoWed
principles of plumber and rapine. lhis Is no
vague conjecture, as every man may soon nave
his doubts cleared up Gf he entertalns any by
a reference to the American Journals, where
no secret is made of the "ways and means
by which this war is to be carried on. A dl-
vision of the lands in the Canadas, amongst
the soldiery of the conquering army is held
out as bait to the ente,prizing part of their
community, to induce them to embark III this
wild crusade, and what IS still more singular,
this is counted upon by their first politicians
as forming Irregular branch OF fnancc. Every
one has heard of the cid adage, OF counting
chickens before they are'hatched. The slight
est attention to the following statement Will
place this matter in true light. Let us sup
pose war is declared. and every point the enc
mics Of peace in the United States have IN
view, carried into full effect. The INVASION
of the Canadas is commenced in good earnest
and an immense multitude of the most worth
less part of the American population poured
in upon us. One OF two things must happen,
they are either stopt in their career, by man
Iy and prompt resistance on our part, or they
are allowed to proceed in their career OF con-
quest. If the inhabitants Of this province are
true to themselves, and act with any degree
of spirit and unanimity or, ii they are not
greatly degenerated from what their ancestors
were, the wantonness and rapacity of the A
merican democrats will meet with Chastlse
ment they little calculate upon. If the Cana
dams are loyal, they will be organized and
trained to arms, in their own defence and
supported by the well known courage & dis
cipline OF the British army, they will form an
impenetrable barrier, and prove the safeguard
and shield of their country. This being so ob-
viously their interests, / have no doubt but
they will most cheerfully concur with every
measure of the Governor for the defence of
the country, as there can exist but one OPT
Mon as to the peculiar and unexanped hap
piness all classes of the community have en-
Rod could be more favorable to the defence
of our American possessions than the present,
whatever our enemies may think and say to
the contrary. The corrupt and venal politi-
cal spectators in the United States, preach
to their deluded adherents the advantage that
would result from an attack upon our posses
sions, at this moment, presuming upon the
circumstance of our having so g. cat a portion
of our disposable force employed in fighting
the battles of Europe in the peninsula, and
indeed, In every part of the world, sustaining
the honor and glory of their country, and ex-
alting the British name above all the nations
upon earth. They know that if they succeed
III embroiling their country in war with Z.
Britain, they render most acceptable service
to Bonaparte, who has both the power and In
clination to reward such services They,
however, do not calculate Cor probably do rot
carel what the issue OF such measure NAV
be, as number of individuals have taken a
lead IN the politics of the United States, who
are by birth, and every tic of nature, aliens to
the country and therefore care not what may
become Of the nation, as 10 reverse OF fortune
can render their situations worse whereas, in
the general wreck, they may be able TO come
in for share of the plumber. shall there
fore lay before my countrymcn the prospects
they may fairly look to, in this impending
struggle.
1t is pretty clear that if they attack US, it
must be with an army composed ofnew levies,
as they have no disposable force at present.
If they are to raise and discipline their troops
for the invasion and plumber of Canada, have
not we the SAME means of RAISING force for
the defence of Canada: nay, have not we eve
ry advantage over them in that respect We
have real liberty, grounded upon the most
wise and equitable laws; we have property,
eth 7 transmitted to us by our ancestors, or
acquired by our own industry, arising out Of
the happy connexion subsstng between us &
the parent state. We have the characteristic
feelings and attachments arising out of natl
onal associations, and virtuous habits. We
have clergy noted for the morality OF their