Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-03-26
s 65,5oo,S75
8 45,l54.lS9

8 IS, l54.lS9
Public debt as it will probably stand at
the end of the year 1915, should the war
continue to that time.
Due en- lst January, 1912, as
above stated, s 45,l54,lSs
Expenses.ef government for
the war during the year
1912 $4,000 900
Do. as per estimate for 1918 26,ooo,ooo
Do. do. do. 1914 S4,ooo,ooo
Do. do. DO. 1915 36,ooo'oso
Public debt as it will stand
at the year 1915 IS i5S,i54 80
Total amount of the expenses OF the
revolutionary war was little upwards
of 1875 millions of dollars.
Mr. Gray concludes with the follow
ing remarks; the truth of which every
man acquainted with the events of the
day will admit, and the force of which,
we conscientiously believe no honest
man in his senses can resist.
A bill was introduced for making
donation Of $4,000 dollars to capt. Hull
and the crew ofthe frigate Constitution,
to compensate for their gallant conduc'
in tho capture Of the british frigate
Guerrero.
As this was the first instance of a ma.
val victory on our part over the British,
in which the greatest bravery was exhl
bited by captain Hull and his crew, 1t
was considered to be proper~hat some
solid testimony Of public appreciation
should be given them. Nevertheless
the bill was rejected by congress; thus,
Withholding from our brave and ncrito-
rious native Americans, who had fought
and conquered in the service Of their
country; the very same sum given last
year to the British sfy John Henry.
Whilst the officers aud seamen -four
navy have thus far acquitted themselves
with honor to their country and to them
selves our armies on land have been
captured, defeated. disgracsd or destroy
ed. Tho surrender OF Hull at Detroi,
with goo men; the defeat OF our troops
at Queenstown, the abortiye attempts to
invade Canada last autumn the total
defeat and destruction OF general Win
chester ard his army of loco men, and
the defenceiess situation of the sea coast
of our own state at this moment, that
our harbors are bloekaded by British
feet stand as grievous and affecting
monuments of the truth, that W. were
not prepared Tor Har on the 1871 day
Of June last. 1t was under full belief
Of this truth, and for many other rea--
sons of great weight on my mlnd, that
| voted against the declaration OF war
Since we have advanced into it, have
thought it my duty to lay before you
correct statement of facts, more parti-
cuIarly in relation to our finances, to the
end that you may come to full under
standing on that sub lect, and prepare
yourselves to meet the pressure which
must be sustained by you in this con-
aict.
The only point Of difference at pre-
sent existing between this country ard
England. is acknowledged on all hands,
to be the impressment by the British of
their sailors frsm on board merchant.
vessels Of the United States. In the
exercise Of this right, which it is con
coded by our government the British
possess, it frequently occurs that elyhc
through design or mistake our own sea
men are impressed and taken on bcara
of British ships Of war This then be-
ing the sole cause alledged fer the pro-
seeu,ion of the present war. law has
been passed by the house ST representa-
tives,(& is now before the senate 10 ex-
clude foreign sailors from navigating on
board vessels of the United States. 1t
is hoped that if this law takes place, 1t
will remove the cause of the war and
restore US to the blessings of peace
Although the impressment OF our sea
men and the vexations ofour commerce
were grievances of a serious nature. and
worthy of consideration on our part, yet
it has ever been nay decisled opinion,
that unless we possessed the power to
redress the injury, it would be highly
inexpedicnt to involve our happy and
prosperous country in ruinous & dis
tressing war. Is the object we aim at
>worth the sacrifices we must make in at.
tempting to obtain it ? Wasit even pru.
dent, safe or advantageous to US to dis
turb The peace and tranquility Of nine