Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-09-02

the canadas be contemplated; besides the
augmentation Of our naval force there, is not
subject to the objection frequently made a.
oaii,,st a similar seasure in our Atlantic ports,
that itwould tend to involve US lii the maritime
contests OF Europe.
It's In vain to say that these are the errors
oil the heads Of departments. he Just ana
salutary rule of our constitution compels US 10
place them to the account OF our present ex
ecutive. The Secretaries Of the Navy and OF
war, are bound to execute the orders given 10
them by the President, on all nayal and milk
tary affairs either he directed the necessary
preparations to be made, or he dldnot III ne
directed them he is responsible ior continuing
incapable men in office if he did not, the
blame attaches personally on himself.
Bat wherefore this lingering preparation,
and final inadeqnancy Of the means employed
in the contest our government has uhderta-
ken: Appropriations weretnade IN Pfecedihs
sessions of congress, for the timely provision
of munitions of war, In the apprehension that
hostilities would grow out Of the infringement
of our neutral rights Why has the applca-
ton of them been elected till the conHicl
was at hand? Do not our raw recruits and
vulnerable points, in the most valuable ano
important quarters, declare that recourse has
been had to hostilities without dlgeStcd sys-
tenn. either of defensive or offensive opera
tons? Neither advice Of the declaration OF.
war. nor instructions or ORDERS were receiv-
ed BY the commanding officer of our squadron
al New York till general publicity atioFoed
sufficient time for the enemy, most %Poseo 70
his operations, to avoid attack, ard elude pui
suit. An opulent feet Of merchantmen salled
from Jamaica exactly intlme to have been easily
intercepted, if the orders of government had
been prompt and decisive; but they escaped
capture by some negligent delay at Washing
ton And we should even wish to know, was
commodore Rodgers Informed of that fleet by
orr Government, or did he accidentally hear
Of it at sea e
If this country be competent to carry on
the war, and we are sure 1t ls--lt our eXecu-
tive Sufficiently foresaw the approach OF hos
tiliries, and informedthemselye as TO the best
means of conducting them with effect, and
shortening their duration by vigorous com
mencement, we should have expected to see;
not ten or twelve hundred men collecting III
The vicinity Of Albany; but forces formed, or
panized and disciplined; an army, invading
Npya Scotia, to wrest from England her bes
naval station in our seas; another acting
against the Canadas, and third attacking the
Floridas at the same time.
How shall we characterize the uninterfupt-
ed permission to carry on trade with opaln
and Portugal? Isita measure OF electloneer'
ing policy, or further proof OF the absolute
inefficiency that pervadcs our councils ltun-
doubtcdly affords to England, the amPlcsi
means of supplying her armies with previ
sions of every kind, of which they would other
wise be destitute and therefore gives The
rmost effcctual aid and comfort to our enemy. Ii
is trade which cannot be Carried on undeI
tie American fag; for that will nece @sariIy
be excluded by the superiority OF the British
power in the seas that wash those coasts. 1t
NAV easily be carried on By British vessels CO
yered by subjects of Spain and Portugal Il
affords then, to the foe, the means OF prolong-
ing the war against US, and promotes the pros
pcrity of British and foreign tonnage, to the
ruin of our own ships and merchants. Had
the parliament of England legislated Tor us OIL
this subject, from its pelicy, It's wisdom, and
its hatred to our shipping and trade, this al
faHSStNeul Sht, 'elh"Poi "'''S 49,
ed proceeding from our own rulers, 1t seems
almost incomprehenslble.
But money has been aptly called the slnews
Of war and what system of procuring 1t has
been furnished by our present administration
Where isthe republican that was not astonish-
ed and confounded at the scheme OF taxation
proposed through the department. OF the trea-
sury? 1t almost seemed intended TO damp the
public spirit Of the county: objects OF reve.
nue. weie presented, odious to the feelings OF
the citizen, and which, under similar cicum-
stances, formerly occDsioned the apprehension
Of the very person who now Teylses them: 1t
was not found expedient to adopt this plan
perhaps it was Judged cunning to postpone IT
I'LL after the presidential election. The Gre
dit of the nation is therefore put to the test,