Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-07-17

which has been much the subject Of convs o.
sation in our city ever since it has been der
yered as we'll if might be, for it relates 10
tonic in which we all are concerned, and
which most of Us feel deep Interest,
The attention of every nan is partcul,r,
invited to that part which treats of Ii.
RIGHTS Of the press, together with its linn,
tiops in time of war That what is here bin
down is the sound law, will notbe dispute,
BY any nan Of respectable standing in tie pro,
fession, Its excellent remarks on mobs and
riots is earnestly recommended to the nou,.
of the tirrid police Of Baltimore.
Gentlemen Of the Grand Jtry,
Since the last term Of this court, a ne,
state of things has occurred, which has pIag
us in belligcrent position with one Of IT,
great powerso of Europe. This event imposes +
new obligations on our citizens, the observance
of which il becomes the duty of our courtsa and
magistrates 10 enforce The former freedom
of communion and intercourse, with naion
lately in amity with us, is now abridged ;ad
acts heretofore not only lawful bat commend.
able, may now expose the agent to the charge
of treason, mish,15on oftreaSon, or high mis-.
dcmeanor +" Treason against the United
States" says The Constitution, {" shall consist
only in levying war against them, or in id.
herring to their enemies. giving them aid and
comfort Treason against this state is com.
mitted by lcvying war against the people Of
this state, within this state, or by being adhc
rem, to the enemies of the people of this state
giving to them aid and comfort in this state,
or elsewhere Msprison oftreason is tie
concealmcnt or keeping secret any treason.
Any offcnces against the laws Of the STATE
connected with aid, comfort or intercourse
with the enemy, Or with levying war agana,
the people Of this state, within this state, are
proper Subjects for your cognizance Aud #
since the pronunciation Of the declaration Of
war, ary offences Of this kind have been per.
petrated, it is your duty to present them for
punishment. Considering the exposed sipa.
ton Of our maritime frontier, and the very
critical situation Of this port, 1t Is peculiarly
important 10 SHUT out from the enemy al
means OF intelligence and that citizen must
be lost indeed 10 ever sentiment OF virtue,
who would embark his feelings and effortsa.
gainst his Own country; who would give in.
telligence to the enemy and expose the vU'
nerable points Of place in which are deposit.
ed 'Ie lanes nl hie i,crcinrS. and where re.
side his wife and children. his friends and fl.
low citizens and vile and ungratefuI mus.be
the alien who would 80 far abuse our local and
natlDnal hospitality, as 10 turn our indulgence
TO our injury, and return curses for blessings,
and evil for good. Our extensive atlantic
frontier, and our position With respect to The
CanadaS, not only exposes lis to Che inroads
and attacks NJ an eheny, BAT are peculiarly
calculated to favor spies, aud 10 tncouragein,
telligrnce and communicated adv erse to the
interests Of the country, and rcpugnant % tie
laws of The land. Vigilance, DETERMINATION
and courage, are therefore. necessary to meet
this exposure, 1t is proper TO remark how
over, gentlemen, that there is hut one Iusli2'
bic mode It an'n.d yertins upon ab, rratloDs
from civil duty, ana upon fractions oi law
and that il through the medium of nagiStrites
and courts. 4 state Of war CO.'S not destroy
or diminish The rights Of the citizen to eya'
mite the conduct of public men, and the ten
dencV ofpublc measures. And if, IN the
exercise of right, he should devste into Sian
der or sediticn, he is liable 10 punishment
the ordinary channels Of justice. Fri Hdf
can be no Sfate Of ttiass more 6rflorable' 10
condHion u socilty more hoy,15ie, MGn 10 5a''
jfet him TO tht jury ofa mo5 or rs the verge
ance of frantic and unprncipled incendiailcS'
1t has reached the ears Of the magistrates,
bat in the shape ofrumour only, that mena'
ces have been thrown out with view to de-
stroy that freedom of investigation which IS
the birth right and the boast of every Amen
can citizen; and that aboIninabie attempts
would be made to invade the dwellings oil ID
dividua.s with the ruhian hand of violence
and to break down those barriers and &S6g'
lums which the laws have erected TO secure
the tranquility Of domestic life, and the lloe''
ties OF the people 1t vas impossible t" re-
man nsensible to he magnitude OF the con-
siderations involved in this state OF things.
The H'iumhh Of uob over the 'xQ1Fsfg
the lays, would inflict deadly soouAd Oh '%S