Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-03-27
MR.. PICKERING. LETTERS.
LETTER II.

In the ferner number, l presented
Some observations ON Mr.. Msd'sons
war; showing that he. and his prede-
cessor, Mr.. Jefferson, had stndiousiy a.
yoided any treaty with Great Britain
which should embrace all subjects OF
difference, s. restore harmony and com
mereial intercourse, SO necessary Tor the
welfare and prosperity of our country.
Aad expressed the opinion mad ions
entertained, that the few men (pFooao'y
not more than three Jefferson and Ma
olsen the principals in the triumvlrate)
who directed and controlled all imPor-
tant public rnea,ures, intended hnaily 70
involve the United States in wan WIN
G. Britain. A full Developments OF the
grounds of this opinion would ocsnpy
too much room at this time therefore
wave it, and offer my sentiments on the
ENORMOUS LOANS
made and proposed tosyards carrying on
the war against G. Britain.
CONGRESS, in the same session IN which
thew declared the war authorised loan
of eleven millions of dollars, and the Is
suing Of treasury notes, called exche-
quer bills, to the amount of five millions
of dollars; and in the session Just ended,
have authorised a further emission OF
treasury notes to the amount OF ten mil"
lions OF dollars without providing any
funds for the payment OF principal or
interest, such funds excepted as had
been long before pledged Tor the deot
incurred in the war OF our revolution
Taxes indeed were proposed, in the Tor
mer session, and resolutions adopted, II
bills were not prepared to be passed IN
TO laws, for imposing them but as they
were to be internal tares, on lanos ana
a multitude of other articles. the amount
of which on each individual citizen,
when called on for payment, would be
known and felt, Congress did not dare
proceed to impose them. They were
even unwilling to allow their plans OF
taxation to be published lest the people
should be alarmed-ics: their own po-
pularity should be shaken, and they lose
their elections-lest their taverlte Ma
Olson should not be again chosen Presl-
dent-and in a word, lest by thas rem
dering themselves unpopular, their par
ty should lose its power and influence,
and the, disciples of Washington and
the friends of peace and OF our country
take their places. Yet Mr.. Madison and
his partisans pretended that the war was
called for by the people; by "tree,
brave and vituous people"-terms IN
which, to secure their favor they are &C
customed to Hatter them. And is such
the real character of the people, so Hat
tered that they would kick against the
taxes unavoidably laid to carry on war
which themselye, had called for as ne.
cessary and just? If such be their cha
racter, what sesuri,y have we tor the
maintenance of the honor, the liberty,
and the Independence of the u. States!
The truth is, the people did not call for
the wsr against G. Britain. They were
surprised into it BY long series Of de-
eeptions. But their present aciues-
cence was counted on. and their hnal
appreciation and support expected, alter
the armies of the West, the Northwest
and North had effected the conquest OF
Canada-which was to have been achIey-
Cd In the last years campaign! such
brilliant success, with the increased IT.
ri,atlons growing out of the war, and
which Mr.. Madison and his partisans
SO we'll knew how to cherish and aggra- !
vate, it WIS bsliered, would render the
war popular to the degree requisite to
insure submission 10 taxes for its fur
tner prosecution. These dreams Of to-
" have passed away. Those French ii
lied armies have experienced only cap
ture, slaughter aud defeat; aud but for
the exploits of our little navy, the cres'
ton # which, the men who drew after
them and organised the present ruling
party. yehemently and obs,inate.y oppos-
ed. they would hardly have kept their
heads above water.
But dissppointments and disgrace in
the Canadisn war have served only to
increase the angry passions OF It's pro-
jector.. The President in his message
and Congressmes In their reports and
speeches, have been breathing out
threa;cuings and slaughter" against G.
Britain; and regret that they cannoi
weld the red thunder Sol:s Of heaven.
10 drive The fas,.anChored isle from her
mornings" Disappointment, rage and
sha,ne seem now to have wrought up The
party TO degree of dsspsratien. The
snnihila,iou Of commemorative slaughter
of thousan Of our citizens, and the de-
s.ruction of great numSlks by the dis
eases of camp-are nothing in theit
eyes, in the qualification of their various
passions. But even yet they have not
dared 10 lay any direct taxes which the
great body ofthe people can see and feel
and understand. Mr.. Randolph told
thsm the reason !; and why they propcs-
ed special session of the next Con-