Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-07-29


the northern and eastern states. This is !
understand his language and 2hinks-I TO
Myself possibly the general may render
good account of Chenango in December next
Coolers Town Fed.
Wkat does it mean PA few facts are to be
stated, and then TIE question which makes the
title of this article, will not appear quite SO
strange and impertinent
Our informant, was not long since. waiting
in the Office Of the Secretary of the Navy at
Washington, when captain Tingey, superin-
tendant of the Navy Yard, came in to ask the
Secretary what was to be done with the Con-
sGtution She had been lying there, he said,
some time with her crew, at great eXpence,
waiting for her ammunition. / must give an
order on you at the yard, answered the Sccre-
tary. 1t will be in vain, said the captain ;
there is not cannon balls at the yard enough
tor two broad sides, ner more than three bar.
rels of powder. Then she must go to Boston,
replied the secretary, and get it there. What
sir must she go round without even the
means OF self protection Sir Said the Secre-
tary don't know what she must do. Such was
the dialogue at Washington, but the next
thing we know is that the trlgate was actually
sent round for Boston in this deplorable con-
dition, men and guns indeed, but neither pow
der nor shot -EarIy last week she left
Hampton Roads on Thursday she was seen
80 miles from the Capes of Virginia, steering
East; on Friday she was spied by British
squadron, on the same day firing was heard
off The Capes of Delaware, and the Constitution
l., e 10
inference is pretty plain, and the morning
newspaper Offices are hung with bulletins that
she is actually taken. SO much for our little
navy, as it is called, and so mach for the brave
crews that man them. Is this a preparation
TO fight or preparation for sacrifice ?-But
there are ships enough in France" France
has ships, said Jefferson, and we have men"
The reader is now seriously desired to turn
his eye upon the various accounts from our
northern frontiers, and see, without indigna-
ton, if he can, in how exposed and utterly de-
fenceles5 state all that part of the country
contiguous to the enemy is left. In addition
to what is there told, it is fact mentioned in
letter from that quarter that on the 18th OF
July, fort Niagara had not powder enough to
fire salute in honor Of the day, but had to
borrow it of the militia. Thus we find our
selves at war on the ocean, with the most pow
erluI nation the world ever yet saw ON that ele-
ment, and at war with the same nation on the
land, without the means of annoyance or even
offence. In what state of things are we
Mott in war, according to M'FingaI-
S-zcc that's not suar, each mortal knops,.
Where one side only gives tile blows,
lind t'other bears 'enp."
But zyhat does it oil mcan ? Is 1t intended
that the nation shall be made to discover It's in
ability to sustain this war alone; without to-
reign assistance and that if we expect sue
cess, we must avail ourselves OF that alliance,
offensive and defensive with France, which
she stands ready and willing to conclude with
US? | fear this apprehension is not wholly
imaginary. But let the administration beware
If such an attempt upon this country Shall G.
yer be made, the people will unite to say, that
the time has arrived when RESISTANCE IS
NO REBELLION"
Nrqv- York Evening Post.