Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-01-31
ALEXANDRIA.
FRIDAY MORNING, January 81.
"rO sHEW
THE VERY AGE AND BODY OF iHE INA :
HIS FORM AND PRESSURE.
/" TO sHEw
GILES AND GAILATIN.

We have lately published two important
documents. One the speech of Mr.. Giles
in support of that war with Great Britain which
seems for years to have been the tavorite OBJ
icct of his policy, and of a large and adequate
army to carry it on. An army which the con-
ercss has since determined to raise. The
other the report of Mr.. Gallatin on the means
of obtaining the revenue necessary to wage
this war. The reading Of these must create
in the mind of every citizen anxious tor the
welfare Of his country the most serious retiec-
tons Let US begin with the speech OF
Mr. Giles. Mr. Giles tells us that though
this war be commenced in defence OF our just
rights on the sea, and is therefore stlled by
him defensive gyar-Britain being hardly
tangible on that element-it must instantly
become an offensive gvar or Evor sf conquest
and instead Of defending our " natalie soluln
and commercial rights, We must attack on
the North the territory of Britain, Canada and
Nova Scotia, and on the South the territory
of her ally Spain, the Floridas. He tells us
too, exuItipgly, that we have gone too tar to
recede He does not indeed say expressly,
in the language Of chivalry, that our honor is
SO committed that we must fight be the con-
sequence what it may, though inevitable de-
struction followed-but this is fairly to be in
ferred as his opinion. " Nil desperandum
Teucro Guce" seems TO
that under his auspices and guided by his wis
dom, we have nothing to fear: We must be
triumphant.
Mr.. Giles has long been regarded, in the
language of the Romans, as Princeps Sena-
tus"-and he deserves his rank. He is man
", candid, and decisive in his conduct. He
shrinks not from the responsibility OF his
measures. He openly avows his opinions
and supports them with all the powers OF con-
summate genius and extensive knowledge
He has therefore become, both in and out of
the senate, in society most weighty and
important individual. His opinions hitherto
have generally been regarded as little less
than the flats of the nation. In our perilous
situation, then every thing that falls from MIR.
Giles merits deep attention.
To execute the project of the contemplated
war, Mr.. Giles is very correct when he says
that the force proposed by him is hardly ade-
quate to the obiect-and instead Of being too
great, the danger is that it may prove too
small. Here Mr.. Giles, while he discovers
his implacability to Britain, shews full sense
of the difficulties of his undertaking: But
at the same time unfolds the decisive cast OF
his mind, and displays the vigor proper g
nroduce success. Like wise man he endea-
yors to prepare adequate means 70 effect Sfe
conoues,s which he de,ign.-soo' far wisdom
.t.nns its characters on his conduct. live
must svage an oGsnsiDe syar against Britain and
her nllp Spain, all must agree with Mr.. Giles
that a less force than that proposed by HIM
would be folly-In fact, much larger army
will be found necessary.
The former fears Of Mr.. Giles, of a small
regular army's endangering our liberty, seem
on the present occasion to be Justly cast away
aludibria ventis.'' Longer experience and
a moro intimate knowledge Of the character of
his countrymen have perhaps wrought In his
mind this change. He certainly entertains
now an higher ard more proper respect tor