The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-07-14
ANNIVERSARY.


bra,ing the anniversary OF American in
dependence, the committee, consist
ing of John Moncure and William Brent,
appointed for the purpose OF preparing
resolutions, reported the following pre-
amble and resolutions, which were adopt
ed unanimously, and ordered TO be print
ed.
WHEREAS, it is at all times, the sa-
cred right of TIE citizens of the United
States free;i TO express their sentiments of
all public measures, and what in ordinary
timesIs their right becomes their imperi-
Gus duty IN times of difficulty and danger.
And whereas, we have beheld with indig-
nation, the numerous outrages, and attacks
unprecedented In the annals Of nations tina;
have been made Tor some years past, on the
sovereignty and Independence Of these u.
States, by two OF the most powerful nations
1t Europe. BY Great Britain we have seen
in times OF profound peace, our citizens
murdered within our own territory, our
seamen carried by force into captivity.
worse than Algcrine, under pretents not
warranted by the laws of nations; the re-
morsecss savage insiigated TO the murder
OF delcnceless women and children, and
our commerce pillaged in every latitude,
and in every sea- BY France we have seen
he same licen,ious plumber, and depreda-
ton upon our property in all counties with
IN the grasp of her imperial despot. Our
ships burnt and captured on the ocean, and
ii her pillagc of the commerce of the Unit
ed States has not equa|lcd that of G.. b
IT has been for want of opportunity and no.
OF inclination. In fire, while France has
become the great freebooter of the land,
Britain has become the great Buc cancer OF
the ocean. Under these numerous depreda
tons the most valuable staples of our coun-
try have been completely DESTROYED, s. if cur
grain trade has been permitted to exist, il
is because, it was found necessary to Bri-
tain or her allies in Spain Resides all
this we have seen with establishment trade
carried on between Britain and France
whilst waging war with each other; trade
prohibited to neutrals-Under these multi
piled insults and injuries, we have seen
| with sentiments of the highest pleasure
| and appreciation, the sincerity and strict
mpartiaity manifested in all the endea
vors OF the government of the United
| States, to preserve the blessings of peace,
and maintain the honor and rights of the
| nation. We have seen that these endea-
vors have only served TO increase preten-
sions and multiply insult. That this ten
perance and iorbcarance have been con-
strued into pusillanimity and cowardice un-
I'll at last doubts have been excited in the
| minds OF those attached to the government,
and constitution Of the United States Of
their competency, and ability TO maintain
the honor and rights Of the nation.
Therefore Re$oiped, That war was pre-
fcrablc 10 longer forbearancc, and that
freemen never will hesitate between war
md surrender oftheir liberties and rights
as nation RcSoLUed, That we view with
equal adherence and detesta,ion that lies
pousm which has destroyed the liberties Of
The continent of Europe, and annihilated
our sister republics Of Holland, and Swift
zcrland, as that, which made an Infamous
attempt TO make slaves of us which has
! enslayed Ireland and India, which while at
peace with Denmark, has plundered her
OF her fleets, and which has seized on all
the colonies and Bavies Of Europe. In fine,
we equally dctcst besotted prince regents,
idcot kings. and imperial despots.
ResotOed, That we consider the declara-
ton of war against Great Britain, more par
ticularly necessary, because to the pillage
Of our lawful commerce she added the de.
claration that this pillage should continue
until the commerce of Europe was restored
to its accustomed channels, and her manu-
factories admitted into Europe in neutral
vessels because the murder of our citi-.
zens by her lawless and. licentious'cruzers
in our very harbors remained unredressed:
and because she instis ated the savages TO
commence their barbarous warfare, SPAR
ing neither age or sex upon our western
brethren in times of profound peace.
RESOLVED, That we should teplore as a