Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-02-19

ilcy, should not be auSpicl0uS. NO iiatioh
ever did, or ever can conduct towards one,
that is true, in thessam way as it conducts
towards one, that is false to all its obliga-
tons. Clear conceptions oil interest anu
faithful fulfilment of duty, as certainly in
sure, sooner or later, honor and safety. as
blindness to interest and abandonment OF
dutydo, assuredly. entail disgrace and en-
barassment. lin relation to the pricciple,
which regulates the commercial conduct
of Great Britain towards the u. States,
there is much scope for diversity CT opin-
ion. Perhaps, those judge most truly,
who do not attribute to her any very dis
tinct, or uniform, system OF action, In re-
Iation to US; but WHO deem her course
to result from views of temporary expe-
dicnee, growing out OF the circumstances
of the time, and the. character of Our
administration. Ii this be The ease, then,
whatever course Of conduct has tendency
TO SHOW change, in the character Oh the
American policy, must produce a proper
tomato change, in that OF the British
And if tameness and systematic abandon
the effect to bring upon us so many mise
ries, a contrary.cOurse of conduct, having
for its basis wise spirit and systematic
naval support, it may we'll be hoped, will
have the opposite effect Of renewing our
prosperity. But, il it be true, as is SO
frequently and SO confidently, asserted.
that Great Britain is jealous OF our COM
mercial greatness; il it be true that she
would depress us, as rivals; il she begins
to regard US as a power, which may soon
curb, ifnot, in afterti.nes spurn, her proud
control on her fayorite element, then, in
deed, she may be disposed to qnencIl the
ardor of our naval enterprise then, in
deed, it may be her care so to share the
course OF her policy as to deprive our com
merce Of all hope Of its natural proiec-
ton; and to co operate with, and cherish,
such an administration, in this country, as
hates naval force and loves commercial
restriction. In this view OF her policy
aud | am far from asserting, it is not cor
rect, Is ii not obvious, that she may be
content, with the present condition of our
commerce? Except acknowledged colo
NAL yassaSage. what state Of things would
be mere desirable to her? The whole
sea is her own. Her American rival.
tamely, makes cession of it to her posses
sion. Our commercial capital is, already,
seeking employment. in her cities; and
our seamen. in her ships. What then re-
salts !? Is il not, ON this view of her po-
hey, undeniabse, that an administration,
in this country, for the purposes Of Great
Britain, is such as thinks commerce moi
worth having, Or not wcrth defending
such as. in every scheme Of nonanal pro-
lection, meditates to it nothing, but aGdi-
tional embarrassment ard eventual aban-
doament? Must not such an administration
be convenient to British ministry, if such
be British policy? And if British minis
ters should ever find such an administra-
ton, in this country, made to their hands,
may we not anticipate that they will take
care, to manage, with view to its con
tiauance in power? CT all policy the most
oininous TO British ascendancy. is that Of
a systematic, maritime defence Of our
maritime rights.
The general effect Of the policy, I ad
voeate, is to prodnee confidence at home,
and respect abroad. These arc twin shoots
from the Same stock and never fail to fou- |
rish, or fade together. Confidence is q
plant OF no mushroom growth and OF no
artificial texture. 1t springs, only, from
sage councils and generous endeayors.-
The protection, YOU extend must be eff |
cient and suited to the nature Of the ob-
.ject, you profess to maintain. If it be |
neither adequate, nor appropriate, your
wisdom may be doubted. your motives
may be distrusted, but, in vain. you ex-
pect confidence. The Inhabitants of the !
sea-board will inquire Of their own senses |;