Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-10-06
For the .Aiersndria Gazette:

For the Alexandria GGzetfe:
In no period of the world has any ma
ton been thrown by the weakness and
lmprovidence of its rulers int more ex'
trsordinary * dangerous circumstances
than the United States are placed In at
this moment. A war has been COM
menced against nation powerful on
;and and irresistible on the ocean, with
precipitation eqnaiied only by our
weakness and our want OF those prepa-
rations which alone could Justify our
having resort to so desperate mode of
redressing the wrongs received from
foreign nations. The command OF our
armies and the post Of first major gene
raj are given to men destitute OF militia
ryas well as every other kind OF talents
Dearborne, while he vas secretary OF
war, was the laughing stock of the coun-
try. Appointed, 20 crafty the northern
states, his only personal recomanenoa-
lions, were, the servility of his temper
and the weakness of his understanding
Such VIA. his insignifcance that ne was
scarcely ever heard of as a member OF
the administration ard his nsme,w when
mentioned at all, was coupled with the
most con,emptuous epithets. Yet this
man has been appointed to the high MI
litarv station of maj or general ! HIS
elevation is unfortunate for himself
In the Office of collector of the customs
for Boston, to which he was appointed
after Mr.. Jeffcrson's retirement from
office, he might have continued to merit
and to meet the contempt and detestatlon
Of The merchants for his blind devotion
to the American continental system,
without having his power OF doing lnJu-
rv extended to the vital concerns OF the
nation. AS secretary OF war, lii Time
of peace and under president who
wanted agents, s not advisers, he might
have passed of lnnoticed and unknown.
But when he is raised to responsible
and extensive military command, nc no
longer remains an object OF indifference
His weakness and ignorance become
matters of Importance in proportion to
the greatness of the mischief they may
effect, and the nation Can not bat teel
alarmed for its safety. Its not to DC
wondered at, if his officers regret the
discovery of his imbeciiiiy, and are more
afraid that the spies of the enemy may
report the character of their general,
than they are of the exposure OF the
nakedness Of the lard.
Yet, after all, Dearborne is the only
man fit to represent his immediate su-
oerior. Eustis, Ike Dearbo,De before
i'm, was chosen for electioneering and
party purposes, and to reward him Tor
! his good behaviour while representa-
tive In congress. He is VIGOROUSLY in
capable OF managing the affairs OF bis
! department. His weakness and his Is.
norance rendered him FL instrument
in the hands ofothers and If the presi-
dent could End any body else more able
and equally complying, he would not
| hold his station III the department Of
war. For Mir. MadisoR knows that he
| is rot Fl; 20 direct the military operations
| Of the war, AID that the only pest III an
army that either nature or education
have qualified him to fill, is that of sur
geon 10 rcgimeat. With sven g. man
at the bead Of the military department,
nothing Can be expected bat defeat and
disaster, until men of greater talents are
appointed to the command 0. the armies.
One army has already been lost by lis
cagsessnosS and incapacity. 1t might
almost he thn,,rh; that conprcss foresaw
the consequences Of leaving the war to
his direction. Certainly they were a.
fraid of him or how shall we accoun;
for their desire to give him two assist
ants The u,ischicf however has beer
done Such was the concolrse Of hos
tile savages from every quartcr, so tai
dy were the supplies & achievements
and such was the weakness of Huli's