Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-07-22
MFR. Barlow, in May, 1914. On his ex.

pressing surprise at the decree, ana ns
ancient date, the French minister assur'
ed him that this decree had been com
mnnicated to his predecessor, Mr.. Rus-
sell, and bad been sent on to the freneh
Ambassador at Washington, with orders
TO lay it before the President. This IN
formation from MIR. Barlow was given
10 this house at the close OF Its last ses-
sion, in consequence of call on the
President for intelligence, about our re-
lstiou. with France-and II came with
out any explanation, comment or denial
On all hands it must be admitted, mat
a shameful fraud has been someqvhere
nerpetrated. The reputation OF the ma
ton demanded that this fraud should be
placcd TO the account Of those who had
committed it. Upon this impostnre he
in his conscience believed the war haG
turned. Nothing can be more impor-
tant TO the future safety OF the people,
than To learn how and whence this GALA
mity had befalleD them. Dir. q. dcclar-
ed himself also highly gratfed with the
liberal and manly course which had been
pursued by the mover OF these resolu-
ions, and his honorable associates.-
The resolutions had not been introduce
ed at On early day after the session, be-
cause of the wish that an opportunity
would be taken or made by the adnt-
nistration or its friends 10 give the de.
sired intelligence, without a call from
This side of the house. X was notorious
that the public voice demanded conf
municalion A general curiosity per-
vaded the country to learn how It was
tina, this decree of 2sth April, 1911 had
remained unknown kere until after the
declaration of var, ard unknown m En-
eiana till it was too late, by repeal OF
the Orders in Council, to prevent war.
The public sensibility was alive in re-
curing fell assurance that the charge OF
the fraudulent concealment of this de-
cree; charge which the French mi.
mister of foreign affairs had advanced a.
ealnst our government and It's agents,
was not true. Unde: these circum-
stances it had been hoped that the task
of seeking this information would not
be thrown on those, who although they
would yietd to none 10 regard for the
honor of the nation, or for the honor of
its government as such, could not be
presumed to feel very intense interest
in the Personal reputation OF those who
administered its affairs. Mr.. G de-
cla-cd, that for one he had INDUCED this
hope, and had openly expressed 1t to
gentlemen attached TO the admnlstra.
ton. 1t Vas not until time bad shc"n
that nothing would be done from that
uusr.er, that The resolutions IN question
were presented. The same liberal no.
lives which had delayed ;belr introduce
ton, governed in the course which had
been ate ward pursued. Day alter day
was given before the motion was called
IN, that all who doubted might exa-
mine into its propriety. And when the
attention of the house was at length
ella med TO tbs subject, all discussion
was Ru,foseiy .jorborne on the part o.
the mover and his associates, (under the
Dre ,unDtiop that mere cali tor lntnr-
mati.n would lot be reslsted) until such
discussion had BEEN rendered unavolda-
bic, by the invitation and defiance OF It's
op.onents. Such conduct on the part
Of minority, Mr.. G. believed, was not
often witnessed. 1t eyinCed magnan'-
mi,v which he was proud 10 behold, and
which augurcd we'll to themselves and
their country.
II WAS far from Mr.. G's intention to
travel over the ground which had been
occupied by his friends who preceded
hin, and especially by the hon gentle
men from New York, who had address,
ed the house yesterday. While the I'M
pressions of their manly footsteps might
vet be seen, he should be satisfied with
removing the distractions with which
it had been attempted to conceal them.
This investigation. it has been Justly
urged, is demanded by regard Tor the
character of our government In the estl-
nation of our own citizens, and OF the
world. In answer TO this we are told Its
character needs no protection, 1t IS too
pure, too unsullied to be affectee by any
charge Sir, this is the language OF rash
blind confidence A most importa de-
cree of the French government, vitality
affecting the commerce, the peace, the
independence, of this nation, is hidden
from this legislature and from the world
for more than twelve months alter Its
date. Our Ambassadors requires the
cause of this conccalment, and ne Is told
by the official organ Of the government
Of France, in substance, that there has
been no concealment Oh their part;
but that the suppression has in tact
been on the part of our executive or
his agent. This charge OF fraud Is
stated explicitly in The correspon-
dence Of Mr.. Barlow. If this accu-
satlon be 10 no way repelled, what M
ference will be drawn from the uninter-