Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-06-11

Nv ~ -
ducing an additional pressure on '"s
commerce of England, and rehaer."s :
considerable force necessary here, ''
tended to diminish in no inconsldera =
degree, her efforts in the north OF Eu-
rope, as well as in the soatb; apu ,s
+ diminution was in the same degree : 'ysS
70 Russia. It was the act OF man ~no
seeing another about to be set upon W q
robber and assassin, chooses that mo
ment 10 attack, under the pretext OF Some
trivial dispute, person going to inc als
of the intended victim. II was worse
II was aidine,, by these indirect out el'
6caciou. means, the most eficacious IN
eur power, in the destruction 81 th.s We
tim, while we protessed to be his TREND
and when by his fall the hand OF inc
murderer would be rendered lrreslstao'y
strong, for our own destructlon.
With this state of the world at ths
time of attack, let US combine IN our
minds the character and views OF .'hs
assailant. -.
Utterly regardless ofthe calamlties OF
other countries or his own; stranger 10
Justice, pity and remorse; deal aiise 10
the voice of nature, and the cries OF MI
sery, gloomy. vindc,ive andimplacaole ,
per6dious and cruel from nature and Po-
iicy; impe,uous in his passions, lmnio'
vable in his purposes, and fertile IN ms
means equally subtle and bold; despis.
ing pleasure and incapable OF rePose
this singular being seems inaccessible
to every feeling but lost OF power, and
susceptible of no qualification except that
of trampIing Oh the necks OF others.
Driven forward by restless, furious x
Unsuitable ambition, he proclalms MS
plan of universal dominion, which ne
scarcely deiens to cover with the tflmsy
veil of "durable peace and the freedom
fthe seas" And he ostentatIously dis
plays, in his conduct and language on
every OCCASION; contempt and scorn tor
those who are cheated by these shallow
and hypoorilical pretences into the fer-
therance of his designs, which IS equal
led only by his rage and ruthless ven
geancs against all who oppose them.
is easy to see what must have been
the consequence Of the trismph OF such
a man over Russia. Irritated BY her
opposion, and afraid other future strug.
giles, he, would have been impelled by
bis passions and his policy to trample
her In the dust, and make her drink the
last dregs of the cup of humiliation and
misery Enormous contribution to re
ward bis followers, to defray the i'm
mense expenses ofthe invasion, and to
crafty his own enmity by the ostenta
tons celebration of his triumph. Uni
versal piilaee, to g,ut those who could
not be satisfied by regular reward, woulf
have swept away the substance OF his
miserable victims. Military execution
would have followed to ensorce payment.
Large armies would have been quarter
ed on the country, nnisr this Pretext,
but for the real purpose of keeping dswr
the spirit of resistance. Cities and dis
tricts would have been laid waste. uG-
der preteuce of resistance, but, in truth
as an example to strike terror; and the
country thus impoverished would have
been dismembercd, to prevent the pos
sibility Of its future rise.
He would then have discovered that
his German allies, especially Austria,
had been luks.warm in the cause; ineffi-
cient In their means, and tardy In their
movements. Under this ,retext they
and theft wretehed subjects would have
been made to suffer every species of
contumely and expressions which his re.
sentiment for the past, his apprehensions
for the future, his own wants, or the RAJ
pacity of his followers, might have die
tated. The iron yoke would have been
Gxt more fir,nly on their necks, & they
would have been made 10 feel to the ut-
mostexces, of anguish itsgalling weight.
Having thus rivited the chains on
Russia, Austria and Germany, he would
have turned with redoubled might and
tenfold fury on the unhappy Spaniards
and Portuguese. His force being now
undivided, would have been altogether
irresistible. The British armies in the
Peninsula must speedily have yielded to
the storm. They mast have abandoned
the country entirely, sr atlcast have been
confined 10 ,be island of C.adiz, and the
lines Of Torrex Verras and the misc
rable people q! Spain & Portugal would
have paid. by su!ferings at the idea of
which humanity shudders and sickens,
for that gallant and forbearing defence
Of their libefty..which entities them 10
the admiration & sympathy of mankind.
The whole con,inent of Europe being
then brought under the yoke, all its
means, maritime and military, would
have been turned against England. Be-
ing then the last mound standing oppos-
ed to the torrent, she would have been
assailed with force hitherto unexam-
pied, and fury prepertioned to the long
continuance Of her resistance, and the