Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-11-11

To view the subject correctly, it is ne
cessary to lay aside prejsdices, and see
things as they are. Whatever objections
exist in point of honor, in time of peace,
to receive licenses from another nation to
pursue a trade, which we might right
fully enjoy without her permission, we
must bear in mind that the case is essen
TALLY different in time of war, where a
belligerent nation having right to cap
ture our vessels, wherever bound, may
choose from motives of expediency, to
forego that right in special cases. 1t
England in time of peace should say
that an American vessel mast first OBJ
tain a British license before she should
trade to Spain or Portugal, national ho-
nor would spurn at the acceptance of it,
because England would have ne right
to interrupt such voyage, but in time of
war she has such right, and in granting
an exemption from capture, she con-
cedes what she has right TO withhold
A license in such trade is therefore not
permission to do what VIC might claim
to do without such license, but an ex-
emption from All annoyance, which the
enemy might rightfully exercise towards
us. Nor is it even an acceptance OF
favor from an enemy, as we must pre-
sumo that they have an inducement for
such forbearance. It's a matter of COM
promise and mutual concession we are
dependent upon them for safe passage;
their friends, who are also our friends,
are dependent upon us for salutary
supply they want our provisions, we
want their money. France, Russia, and
the other great European nations, have
all tolerated licensed trade, even d.
rsctly with their enemies, in time of war,
when they have found it useful, without
considering that there was any thing de-
rogatory in it. During the present Eu-
ropean contest, VIC have seen France
supplying England with grain, in licens-
cd vessels, even at the time that we
were Withholding our supplies by the
embargo. We have seen Russia, whilst
at war with England, supplying her with
naval stores. We hare seen British
f.igates. whilst England was at war with
Spain, enter with Spanish licenses the
ports Of South America. for premiurp
to transport to Europe the treasures of
her enemy, and for the use of that enc
my. In fact it becomes, on al! such &C.
casions, question OF profit and loss, and
in such view, trust, we shall consider
the trade to Spain and Portugal, which
our enemy is disposed to tolerate. Shall
we then complain, that England, instead
Of exercising her right Of capture a.
gainst ait our trade, permits portion of
it to pass unmolested This would in
dccei be want of wit in our anger; un-
less there arc any amongst us mad e.
noughM this day to suppose that Eng
land, with all her maritime and CONNER
cial resources, can be Cocrced by with
holding our supplies from those coun-
tries in which her arms are employed.
The days Of such infatuaton, l trust,
have passed away. England and her al
lies may gvant orr provisions, but they
can do gvnhout them. What viii be the
consequence to ourselves from the pro-
bibition of British licenses? Flour and
grain must rapidly decline in price, as
they will depend for 4 market upon the
few Spanish and Portuguese vessels that
will find their way to cur ports, and take
away part of our supplies only at their
own prices. Nor is it the interests OF
the farmers of the middle states only
that would be sacrificed by such a mea-
sure, but the ships of New-Englsnd,
that now enjoy high treights for the
transportation of this produce must give
up their profitable service, whilst our
seamen will seek employment under the
Spanish and Portuguese flags, andmany
of them be alienated from us forever
1t is hoped that Congress will maturely
consider this important subject before
they act upon 1t.