Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-04-18
Sloss 81
Net Profit
For .ae .Alerandria Daily Gazette.

The production in the National Intelligent
Ger of Tuesday last, attributed to Mr.. C.. the
Speaker Of the House of Representatives, IS
highly interesting to the American people, in
presenting to them view OF the disposition
and intention of some of the members of Con-
gress in relation to the great question OF War.
/ could hardly have supposed, that man OF
his usual correct mode of thinking, should
have been. guilty Of so gross an error, as to
suppose that the United States are prepared
to declare war. l should like to know from
the gentleman, in what respect she IS qualified
to encounter so dire and important calami-
ty; are defencelesS towns, a new and undiscl-
pIined army, inadequate in number to the gar
risoning the necessary Notifications tor the
protection of our seaport towns, and empty
treasury, divided executive, and an infant
navy, the means by which we are to avenge
our wrongs against an opulent nation, whose
resources are equal to the combined efforts OF
the world; whose land force is estimated at
100000 men, and navy is extended over every
navigable sea; whose military and naval skill,
if they do not surpass, equal that OF the
greatest nations of the world nation whose
means are the productions OF the Indies, South
America and all the continent OF Europe;
who, though now wagng the most desolating
war the world ever witnessed, with France, is
receiving supplies from that nation. Is this
nation to be inundated by the infuriated and
idle defamation OF men, who seem to be la
boring under perfect war mania 4; men In the
pride of error, whose views are limited to the
narrow scope of political information acquired
by the honest pursuits of agriculture :" the
quart and tierce of forensic degradation, -
are minds so biased, and views so limited, Ca
pable of embracing the great political and
commercial relations Of America country
so rich in all the fruits of genius, wealth, the
arts, sciences, and an ardent thirst OF liberty
and enterprise--which know no limits, and
are appalled, by no danger, and whose energies,
if ever properly called into action, will be
prompt, vigorous, abundant and efficient. II
such politicians are to determine the fate OF
America, s. may it no less fortunate be- than
a speedy release from their influence, the ef-
feet of their wisdom and the consequences Of
their Sind zeal What is our situation?--
America has declared, and very properly too,
that she has been injured in her dignity, indie
pendence and commercial & neutral rights, by
the two great belligerents Of Europe. AS an
American, feel indignant at their conduct;
and it ought to be avenged. But In what man
ner is it to be done? BY the idle policy OF
embargoes and other commercial restrictions;
by the Wanting threats of new made polti-
clans, declaiming against one nation, while
silent as to the aggressiehs of the other; re-
gardless of the fruits of Berlin and Milan
DEGREES; measures prompted by avarlce, ana
perseyered in by fraud while the corrupt pi-
racies Of the orders in council are conceived
by them the causes Of their political and com
smercial evil The ascending smoke from
the earnings of honest industry; the produc-
tons of distant chimes, collected by the labor
of our hardy tars; the aremaucs OF the east;
the fruits of the Mediterranean; the contents
of the almost fathoRless north west seas the
detention of our seamen their suHerlngs IN
solitary confinement, are themes obnoxious
70 the eloquence of Mr.. c. Why, because
they are the works of Americas worthy friend
the Emperor, " who loves the Americans
Yet is battening on the plumber of their ho-
nest citizens, and is laden with the spoil of
neutrals, who he has deluded into his grasp,
to immediate their rights at the base, Infamous
and prostituted shrine Of his cupldlty-called
| by hisn national faith; while England, who,
though equally corrupt and ayaricious in her
national conduct, yet mindfnl of individual
right, is mathematical by those ministerial
K patriots. And what is the panasea for French
1 aggression ?-The modified repeal of the
/ Berlin and Milan DEGREES, as declared by his
minister, while he now is rigidly executing
I them on the high seas, by burning up the
/ American property they. meet with. We have
cause of war with both nations, and if we are
disposed to avenge our insults, do 1t like men
and statesmen--call forth the energies of the
nation-enlist an efficient force at once-lay