Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-04-23

and happiness OF these United States, are !.
great jeopardy; inasmuch as, we ~ ~, IN
strongest reasons to believe, the gene,.i 'he
vernment have determined to make W. - 20 %,
Britain. This we believe, :" "
Because Congress have voted TO rsiso..
ty five thousand men in additionte He -. s''-
standing army: to receive the services ofs "'
ty thousand volunteers; and to draft one hnr
drcd thousand militia: ''-
Because they appointed officers Of tbis .d1;
tional standing army:
Because the agents of government have .,
ready contracted for large Quantities Of .,rn-a
provisions and war-like stores:
Because the President has been antbo,;.. :,
by law to hire 100000 of dollars: ard :,
100000 Gnclading bountes 10 solcers> b,nSs
been appropriated, to pay, arm, cloth and vie.
tual these new troops:
Because the Secretary of the Treasury h.,
proposed, the Committee of WAYS and Mc.ns
advised, and Congress resolved to SUNNI 90
vernment with money, for this ruinou. war T..
q land Tax: Stamp Act; Heavy Excise.
Tax OF twenty cents a bushcl on Salt. /,
Tax on Auctioneers and Shop-keepers, char.
geable on the consumers of their goods
Tax of Is dollars each on Tavern keepers
and a double Tax on Molasses, Sugar, Tea
Coffee, Rum and all other imported goods,
consumed In the country.
We are further confirmed in our apprehsn.
sions of the determination of government tn
engage in this war, by the evident partially
they have for long time manifested towards
one Of the belligerents; and their deep rooted
enmity towards the other The DEGREES Of
both nations equally violate our neutral rights;
but France by her Berlin Decree, was the first
aggressor: aud still persists in capturing ana
burning our vessels On the high seas and IN
robbing, imprisoning and insulting our cit.
zens !; yet all these atrocities have been either
pallisted, or excused while every effort cas-
been made to excite the preIudices and AMI
mosities OF the people against Great Britain.
British vessels are excluded from our harbors;
and our citizens are Forbidden toimport goods
of growth and manufacture of Britain and aer
dependencies at the same time that French
privateers are suffered to rc6t In American
ports and French goods are received, and
protected, by our government
At this very moment valuable vessels and
cargoes, lying at our wharves, the property Of
our nei ghbors AID f-ilow-citlzens, are sesrd,
detained, and Jibeled for condemnation be-.
cause The agents Of government suspect these
CARGO OF Rum, Sugar, and Molasses though
purci.s ID, and shipped, at Spani.h or Swedish
ports, we're raised on British Plantations.
And this 90, is done, when ourtrade to France
is of little e value and tina; to England and
her dependencies, of more importance, to the
u. States, tan with all the world BESIDES
Rescued, That, although We would, with
our lives and fortunes, support our govern
ment III the prosecution OF a war against any
nation, rendered necessary, for the defence OF
the UNION, honor, or interest, Of these States;
yet believing, as we most sincerely do that a
war with England, at this time, is neither ne
cessary, nor expedient, we deem 1t duty,
which we owe to our families, and to our coun'
try, to use our utmost efforts to avert so great
calamity and being fully convinced, thai
nothing Will check, or retard government
in their inconsiderate career towards war
with Britain, unless it be by the voice OF the
people, loudly, unequivocalIy, and CONSTITUTE
onally, expressing their disapprohauon OF
these measures, we are OF opinion that thiS
expression ought to be given in the approach
ing elections. If we choose Democratic otNs
Rulers, we choose war five choose Fcd1Fa
State Rulers, we choose peacc,--to lh'S
voice OF the people, the general government
now stand listening. y
The State Of Rhode Island, though snsA
in territory, can do much, for Itself, and l0l
our nation. Men yet live, who ren.emos' heI
vaor and magnanimity; how Prodlsaliy sns
toiled and blcd. in the revolutionary wal anu
when her voice, joined with the othcf ~"
England States, shall be raised 10 'o.,' hs
disapprobaton and remonstrance, 1t mus w
heard in the halls of our national cou"0n'
and when heard, will bring administration l.. 70
pause, alrl look at the dreadful perllS ali' CAP
asters which await our country. -.
But should we, forgetful OF our duty ei ls;.
democratic rulers, and thereby let looSe LII.
wild spivt of war, what calamities anu W.,