The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-12-08

war under the banners of their adopted
country lighting for its rights & its safety
The protection due to these cuizens re-
curing an eflectual interposition in their
: behalf "a like number of British prisoners
CT war were put into confinement, with a
notification that they would experience
whatever violence might be committed on
the American prisoners of war sent to G.
Britain. a
1t was hoped that this necessary conse-
quence ofthe step unadviscdly taken on the
part ofGreat Baitain would have led her go
rernment to reflect on the Inconsistencies of
its conduct and that sympathy with the
British if not with the American sufferers,
would have arrested the cruel career OPEN
eddy its example.
This was unhappiy not the case. Invi-
olation both of consistency and humanity,
American officers and non-commissioned
officers, iii doutie the number of the British
soldiers confined here, were ordered into
close confinement, with formal notice that
inthe event OF retaliation for the'death which
might be inflicted on the prisoners of war
sent TO Great Britain for trial, the officers so
confined would be put to death also 1t
was notified at the same time that the com
manders of the British fleets and armies on
our coasts are instructed, in the same event
to proceed with destructive severity against
our towns and their Inhabitants.
That no doubt NIGH be left with tb o,ena-
my of our adherence to the re,aliating re-
sort imposed on us, correspondents num-
Der of British officers prisoners OF war in
our hands were Immediately put ia,o close
confinement, to abide the fate of these con-
fined by The enemy; and the British gs-
~ernment has been appraised Of the dstermi-
ot this government, to retaliate any other
prece eding against Us, contrary to the legi-
innate modes Of warfare.
II is as fortunate for the Uuitsd States
tina. they have it in their poworto msetthe
enemy in this deplorable contest, as it is
honorable 10 them, that they do not Join in
il but under the most impereus ebli cations,
aud with the humane purpose of elfccsuat-
ing Il return to the established usaees of
war.
The views of the French government on
the subjects which have been so loug com
mitted 10 negotiation, have received no
elucidation since the close ofyour late ses-
sion. The minister plcnipotentiary OF the
United States AT Paris mad not been ena-
hied, by proper opportunities, to pross tive
objects Ut his mission, as pl escribcd by his
Instructions
The militia being always to be regarded
as the great buiwArk of delence and SCI
CURLY for free states, and the constiiu-
tion having wisely committed 10 the nation
al authority use OF that farce, as the
best provision against an unsafe military
establishment, as we'll as resource pecu-
liarly adapted TO country having the ex-
tent and the exposure Of the United States,
i recommend to congress revision Of the
militia laws Tor the purpose OF securing,
more effcetually, the services OF all de-
tachments called into the employment, aud
placed under the gov ernment Ct the y. >.
It viii deserve the consideration of con-
gress also, whether, among other improve
lnebts III the militia laws, justice does got
require reputation, under due precau-
tioas, Tor delraying The expence incident
10 the first assembling as well as 20 the sub
scquent movements of attachments called
into the national service.
To give TO our vessels of wal. public and
private, the requisite advantage in their
cruizes. it is Il much importance tia. they
shouldhav for themselves and their prizas
the use of the ports OF friendly pow crs.-
With this view, recommend to congress
the expcdiancy of such legal provisions as
may supply the defects, on remove the
doubts Of the executive authority to allow
to the cruisers of other powers, at war with
enemies of the United Statas, such use OF
the American ports and markets as may
correspond with the privileges allowed by
such powers to American crulZcrs.
During the year ending on the 3oth of
Sept. last the receipts into the treasury
have exceeded 81 millions and halt of