Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-05-22

WIN wiz 0CI&&N Va WV -
a precarious, & in some degree a disgraceful
trade, to a small amount, which must be a.
bandoned to adventures or foreigners, as
soon as obtarned. One argument for the war,
which he had heard used as well in as out of
debate, appeared strange to him. 1t is said
that the orders in council, which lio at the We
ry root of the misdseds of our foe, and from
which our injuries proceed, are useless to
Great Britain, in as much as with her navy
she can actually blockade every port of any
importance. in France, and may thus stop our
trade with the continent, and that therefore,
persisting as she does in her orders, she shows
an insufferable pertinacity and obstinacy.
Admitting this to be true, it would seem to
follow, Sat we are at all events not to be es-
sentially benefited even by a favorable termi-
nation of the war. If the British navy can do
and will do effectually, what is now done par
TALLY by the orders in council, the game does
not appear worth the candle. Prudence and
a due regard to the interest of the country
seem to require of us, before we engage in
the contemplated war, that we should first
satisfactorily ascertain the nature, extent and
value of the trade which is 8 interrupted by the
orders in council, and how far a change of
measures, on the part of Great Britain, would
open that trade to us.
Neither was it his intention to 90 into the
enquiry, whether this was a war measure, or
an attempt to revive the system of restrictive
coercion, which at a former period received
the disapprobation of the people, and as he
understood was therefore abandoned. II had
struck him, however, that the substitution
OF ninety days by the Senate, for the sixty
days which had been adopted by the house,
according to the recommendation of the Presi-
dent, for du ration of the embargo, appeared
In some degree to vary the character of the
measure. As war measure, an embargo is
only an act of precaution. 1t is a notice to
the country, that the last step is about to be
taken and an advice to the merchant to
bring home his property. Now, fwar is to
be declared within sixty days, an embargo
may be a proper measure, as the time may
be too short to make a voyage out and in.
But, If The war is to be delayed for ninety
days, it is obvious that voyages may be made
with perfect security to and from the West
Indies, and to and from the European PENN
sula. We may with very great advantage to
our farmers and merchants, get rid of our
surplus bread stufls and provisions, and the
country will be better able to bear and to
carry on the war. This consideration had
produced in him some doubt as to the object
OF the embargo but yet he felt himselfbound
to believe, that by many this was considered
a war measure. The warm and open adyo-
Gates of the bill had declared their views and
determination too explicitly to admit of mis-
take and he saw among them gentlemen for
whom he had the highest respect, and whose
declarations would always command his be-
lief. In the few remarks which he should
submit, he would therefore go on the ground
that tins is a war measure, and intended to
be succeeded by a declaration of war.
Mr.. Emott said, that, as a war measure,
he thought the contemplated embargo both
premature and in,poIitic.
The laying of the embargo, will in some de-
gree, be a pledge to our people and to the
world, that war is to be commenced before or
at the end OF the time limited for the duration
of the embargo. five fail to make war then
the country win feel itself deceived and trifed
with, and our constituents will believe, that
instead of war, we mean restriction that to
nonlmportatioE we mean to add embargo.
and thus to engage again in the improbable
contest, which we formerly, and | think very
wisely, relinqueshed.
Now is it possible that at the end Of sixty
or even OF ninety days, we will be, or can be,
prepared for the wal ? Will it be said, he
had indeed heard it said, that we are to go to
war, and then provide the means to carry it
on. There is folly, there is madness in such
a course Is this the way in which the good
people ofthis nation is to be made to favour
the wal ? for let it be remembered, that if
they are not with us. heart and soul, the war
will soon be at an end Are they to suffer in
consequence OF our want of foresight and pre-
caution, and in the distress thus brought up
on them, to bless the Instruments and the
means of their ruin. 1t is not in human ma
ture, and such will not be the effect. Ii a
war is commenced with disaster, as it must
be if commenced without suitable prepare
ton. it will end with disaster and disgrace.
TINS is a result which no man can view with