Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-03-11

70 be relied on, when measures become in
convenient and burdensome. will soon
write again, and am, &c. A. B.
No. 4
Boston, March Z, 1909.
SIR,--I have now ascertainec, with as
much accuracy as possible, the course intend
ell toibes pursued BY the party in Massachu-
sets that is opposed TO the measures and POI
litics ofthe administration Of the general 60.
vernmeat.
have already given decided opinion thst
a declaration OF war is not to be expected; but
contrary to all reasonable calculation, should
the Congress- possess spirit and independence
enough TO place their popularity in jeopardy
by SD strong a measure, the Legislature OF
Massachusetts will give the tone 60 the neigh
boring states will declare itseif permanent
until a new election of membefs invite a
Congress, to be, composed ofAdelegates from
the federal States, and erect a seperale go
vernment for their common defence and com
mon interest.
This Congress would probably begin by
abrogaJing the offensive laws, and adopting
! q plan fer the maintenance Of the power and
authority thus assumed. They would by
such an act be in a condition to make or re-
caiye proposals from Great Britain and /
should seize the first rnonlent to open cor
responaepce with your exceiency. Scarce
any other aidwoud be necessary, ard perhaps
more required, than few vessels of wal from
the HALIFAX station, to protect the maritime
towns from the little navy which is at the dis
posal OF the national government. What per-
snanent connexion between @. Britain and
this Section Of the republic would grow out
nf 2 civil coamotlon such as might be ex-
pected, TO person is prepared TO describ; );
but 1t seems that a strict alliance must result
OF necessity AT present the opposite Pact9
connne their calculations merely to ssaDce;
and | can assure vou that at THIS moment
they DO not freely entertain the project ofwlth-
drawing the eastern states from the Union,
ntling it a very unpopular topic; although
4 course OF events, suci. as have ALREADY
mentioned, gould inevitably produce an .ncu-
r7ble alienation eff the New England from the
Southern states. The truth is, the common
psople have Sc long regarded the Constitution
are now ONLY disposed in this quarter to treat
Il IKE u tiuaDt MISTRESS, WlOn tncy "Ouiu
fora ti,ns put away Oh a seperate maintenance
out, without farther and greater proyocation,
would not absolutely repudiate.
1t will soon be known in what situation
public affairs are to rene n until the meeting
Il the new Congress III May, at which tine
also this Legislature will again assemble
The two months that intervene viii be a peri
cd Of much anxiety.
Ii all have written, have been careful not
to make any impression analogous to the en-
.husiastic Confluence entertained by tie oppo
sition, nor to the hopes AID expectations that
animate the friends of az alliance between the
northern states and G. Britain. I have abs
stracted myselF from ii the sympathies these
are calcula.ed to inspire: because, notwlth-
standing that | feel the utmost confidence in
the integrity OF intention of the leadlng charac-
ters in this political drama, | cannot forget
that they derive their power from giddy ~
constant multltude, who unless In the instance
under consideration they form an exception to
al general rules and experience, Will act in
consistently and absurdiy.
| am, sc. A. Is.