Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-04-15
CIRCULAR,
OF THE
HON. Daniel SHEFFEY,
TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.
CONCLUDED.

CONCI UD6O.
As to our relations with France, can
give you bat very limited information,
because little has been communicated
during toe last ard present session.
Indeed, ever since Mr.. Barlow, our mi
Mister, went to France in 1911, nothing
of the least Importance has transpired
In 1910, our envoy IN Paris was instruct
ed not to permit the French government
to embrace the overtures contained In
the act of May 1910, which before no.
ticed, until indemnification for the ex-
tensive and unprincipled conhscations
OF American property in the ports of
Frsnce, should either be previously
made or pledge given ,nat it would be
maize at some future time. This con-
dition, Just and reasonable in itself, was
not only not performed, bat oar minister
was told that the " honor" of his impe-
rial majesty, the French emperor forbid
a compliance Herewith, and yet France
was permitted to seduce us into COLI
sion With her enemy. Since that time
we have been informed by the president
in his message of the 5th November
lsll-that {" no proof" had then been
given of an intention to repair the
wrongs done to the United States /; and
pagtic alariy to restore the great amount
of American property seized and con-
demned." In the war message OF June
LIST, 1879, the President states, that
" since the (pretcnded) revocation of
her DEGREES" the French government
had authorised illegal captures by its
privateers and public ships and that
other outrages had been practiced on
our vessels and our citizens" and that
10 indemnify had been provided or sa-
tisfactorily pledged tor the extensive
spoliations committed under the violent
and retrospective orders of the French
government against the property OF our
citizens seized within the jurisdiction of
France''-and in his message ofthe 4th
of November last, he informed us that
our affairs with France retain the pos
ture which they held at my last commu-
nication.' In short, we have nothing,
to expect but continuance OF that per-
6dy and injustice, the leading charac-
teristics of the government In the hands
of a man stained from head to foot with
the blood of fallen nations and murdered
republics. If We obtain any thing, 1t
will be granted only to mveigle US deep
er into his purpose, to enable him to
add one other country to the long ca'a-
logue of those who have been prostrat-
ed by his power; and finally to place on
our shoulders the yoke under which Eu-
rope is grooming.
Perhaps ought to close this commu-
nication without saying any thing OF N.Y.
self. But / cannot entirely torbear Ii
has been imputed to the friends of peace
fand in the district represent to me
personally, that we cspouse the cause OF
the enemy because we opposed Tie war.
A motive less criminal might have been
found suited to our actions la the bosom
of those who cherish Christian chasity
OF republican hbcrality. But such sir-
tues, | fear, do not make part OF those
who consign others to he,iowest grade
of a,eFit and motive, merely because
they exercise right bestowed by the
God of nature to think for themselves,
aud to think different from them. In
the generous and liberal heart, such
circumstance furnishes no cause OF ac-
cusation. 1t is only with those who
would, if they had the power, bring to
the stake all whose religious tenets do
not accord with theirs, if indeed they
have any aud to the scsRold, those who
presume TO question the mfailibitity OF
their political idols that such sentiments
prevail. I really feel fol, my country
when / see such tyranny attempted over
individual opinion.
But how long Is it since opposition to
war IS supposed TO be evidence OF enmi-
~ To- the country. 1t is but about Jour-
teen wears ago when the very men who
now brand every person with the Name
of tory and British partizaf, merely be-
cause they think the war nnPoiitic-
themselves opposed war contemplated
by their government and partially en-,
tered into against France. Why Qua
they do So? Was it because we had re-
eeiyed no injury fron our then enemy
No person who knows any thing OF the
subject can with the least shadow OF
truth make any such assertion. We
had attendant cause for war-the ONLY
difference between our situation then