Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-06-16

cite vain regret, for the neglect to tester
I this natural and precious safeguard ana
| ornament Of the patton. Still 1t was NOT
to be concealed, that in war with our
disparity of force our commerce must
become prey to our enemy. Canada
far from Offering inducements to con
quest, would prove fatal present II II
! should be coded by grant. Inc asEres.
| sions of British were last in order, least
in degree, and accompanied by the oene'
! st arising from the convoy OF our shirs,
| and the protection every where atioroed
against French depredations. her int
rests in many particulars coincide WIN
those of our own country. Her land
was the birth place Of our ancestors !;
| her religion, her laws are ours; ana he'
| downfall wonld draw after it the destfuc-
ton OF civil liberty throughout the word
IT then preference was due In enter
| ing the lists for honor to any nation, II
was due to her. At peace with Great
| Britain we should now have shared large
" in the commerce of the world and
| continued to be prosperous apd united
peeple. In short, all the motives OF
prudence, Justice and patriotism, which
are characteristics of sound policy lor'
| bad this unhappy controversy IN tone
so loud, that we are compelled to look
to other causes These may be com
prised in the Fixed determinations OF those
who displaced the friends and under
mined the policy OF Washington to re-
tain power, and as subserveut to this
object to cherish the prejpdices which
grew out OF the revolutionary war as a
convenient and ready means Of pspuiar
excitement. Hence TOO probably, the
uniformly cold, cap,ions, and ungracious
department towards one na,ioD--and the
tame and tolerant and submissive atil-
tude towards another
We are duly impressed by your ex-
ce!,cncy's suggestion that the extension
of territorial lin.its was never contcm-
plated by The trainers It the constitu-
ton. If the president and senate may
purchase land and congress may pl4ot
states in Louisiana, they may with equal
right establish them on the northwest
coast, or in the South America. 1t may
be questioned hereafter, whether after
thi, formation of New States, the adne-
rence Of the old ones which dssentcd
from the measures is the result Of obiI-
sation or expediency. Ard it is evident
that -thi, multiplication Of new states,
not parties to the original compact, must
soon be regarded as fetal to the rights
and liberties of some Of the present
members of the cohfederacy, and conse.,
qdent!y as an insupportable grievance.
This extension Of territory has already
excited spirit of cupidity and specula-
,icn which is among the causes OF our
present troubles. By means ofpower
thus acquired and the operation OF the
constitutional provision whereby three
freemen in certain parts OF the union
enjoy the same privileges in the choice
of representatives, which in other states
is divided among five; the influence OF
Massachusetts and Of the eastern states
in the NATIONAL councils is lost, and sys-
TENS of conme,c ial restriction Of war |
and conquest fatal TO their interests, and !
outrageous to their icelines are founded |
on its ruins.
We are aware that the expression Of
these truths which arc wrung from us |
BY the tortsres of an unfeeing and un~
merited policy, will be imputed (by those
who are interested in such construc-
tion) TO disaffection to the union. When |
The public treasury has been lavlshed by |
administration, as the price of fixing up.
Oil Massachusetts the suspicion and cdi-
I'm Of her sister states ; calumDy &C
quiIes an importance, which house OF
representatives may notice. without
culp.bie condescension. 1t is not true
as your cxcelency is aware, that the
good peopH of this commonwealth, or
any Of the metropolis, cherish views in
!mical TO the continuance Of the union.
Massachusetts, was alert and decided in
promoting the old and new confedcra-
tons we remember also that under
wise administration, the present consti-
tu,lon was prolific in every species OF
prosperity we know that the affinities
of interest which ought to unite Us are
natural, and predominant over the artifi.
cia! collisions which tend 10 detach from
each ether the members Of the great fa-
mi!y IN er arc our intelligent citizens
unrnindful of the dangers, dissentions
ard final insignificance of the component
parts, which too often attend the DISCO
luton OF confederated states. But on
the other hand, we regard the union as
only one ofthe objects of the constitution.
The others as expressed in the instru.
ment, are to establish Justice, ensure
domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence. promote the, general
welfare and secure the blessings of IL
bcrty to ourselves and posterity. So
long as the union Can be made the In
xtr,, rept of these ofhar ccoetitnfiooa1 1