Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-06-19

y-r proposc to be entered into, are appa-
reu,ly the protection of neutral commerce,
aad to compel the British government to re-
neal the orders IN council, by taking pos.
session of Cansda.-f don't believe we have
the " 20 force either France OF Eng.
Land TO render Us that justice which they
have so long withheld /; and well Knowing
tina, a great majority of nv constituents are
unwllliog to engage 10 a war for objects be-
vond our means to accomplish, believing
that war is a greater evil than any we now
suffer, and perfectly convinced that the
safety and tranquility of the southern states
require that we should never engage in war.
except in case of an actual invasion of our
territory by a military force, | have there.
fore opposed the war measures adopted by
congress. For a { defensive war, | would go
as far as any man ia the nation, wheuev.
er we are invaded but to an offensive war
for foreign ccuquests. or for objects be-
yond our reach, I am decidedly opposed.
Whether a declaration of war will be made
this year or not ! am unable to say but I
cannot suppose i, probable.-Without an
army, which when raised is TO be support.
ed and equipped by the precarious depeu-
drnce on ioans-:he eastern states almost
unanimosly oPposedt to war-the great mass
ofthe people OF the southern states also a.
verse to is-their personal safety at hazard
from causes sufficiently obvious TO every
m an of reQection, and which I forbear to
express-l cannot believe, that congress
will, under such circumstances, propose a
declaration of war at this time. Should,
- 49, -
government decide on it, | hold myself
bound, andI pledge myself to contribute
every thing IN nv power towards a favora.
bic and ssful termination of the con.
test. In addressing you now perhaps for
the last time, I cannot forbear to express
the 4nfeigecd sense of gratitude / feel to
those wha have for fourteen years reposed
their confidence IN me-the impression on
ny heart will remain till the end of my life.
have said | would continue to serve them
so long as thew would continue to select me,
and | will DOT rc1racs tnat promise but as
/ have 40 wish &c be re. elected, l sincerely
hope the people of the district may elect
some other person more capable. The
communication made by Mr.. Madison to
congress in relation to a certain John Hen
", an agent of the British government has
excited some ~interess in the public mind,
principally on account of the sum of ifty
thousand dollars paid 20 him by Mr.. Madi-
son. The payment of that sum to Henry
being doubted by many, / deem il proper
10 Justice to all honest men who may enter
tain a doubt on the bject, to assert tina, it
is positive fact, which could not be deni.
ed by the secretary o~fs.ate, when lately ex-
amined by a committee OF the senate. 1t
appears to be perfectly republican,,
DAYS to ccnde mn whole classes of men in
mass without pretending TO charge any
specific facts and not only without produc.
lag the witness, but STIMULATING With him,
that nc shall not be sumraoned to appear,
and IN fact giving him money to go off, and
pfovid,ng a national armed vessel TO carry
HIM 10 France at the public expense.-rhat
the administration should affect to have de-
tected d plot in which our own citizens are
vseoelq implicated-Should by their W
act bring into question the fidelity to the
union, of a large proportion ola very large
and most important section of the empire
should then by pre- .concertion with the
spy they have bought the information from,
take measures to prevent any investigation
OF the matter /; should deliberately and will
July expose one part OF the nation to the
odlum and suspicion OF the rest, and take
away at the same time al chance of detect
ing guilt or establishing %innocency ; should
at the very eve of a contest which they pro.
less design TO commence, exasperate i'm
messurably and iucurably those very heart
burnings, which itshould be most their in
terest and wish TO allay---all this demon.
strates a degree of folly SO monstrous that
l can conceive nothing more grievous and
alar rninp