Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-01-01

nan would truss iHH aau '"no ni'
.ote It would seem that we were
going upon the same principles; we
do not consider whether the people
would be willing to pay the sums
contemplated for the objects in vlew'
the only question that seems to pre-
sent itself is, can we borrow the mo-
ney
It had been said that in certain
parts Of the United States that not
only the recruiting service, but loass
to the government. for the purpose
of carrying on the war, had been dis
couraged. Mr.. P. said, if all those
who had money were DESTROYS TO lend
it, as was generally the case, we
should find that the unemployed ca
pitaI, in the United States, had been
very much oycr-rated, as we'll as the
strength of the country for the pur-
pose of carrying 81 a war that
there were many rich men in the u
nited States, but their property con-
sisted in lands, houses, stores.
wllarves and ships. which were now
Of little value. compared with thci
former valuations. But why, said
he, complain Of those who were o.
posed to the war, and who suffer the
most by it. because they will not LEND
their money to earry il on. Itwou'd
have seemed, before the war was de-
clared. from addresses from state.
and public 'aeetings. pledgins and
promising their support to the admi-
nistration. that nine tenths Of the
people were in favor of the war !:
why don't they now come forward
and make good their promises. and
help them along with it. and not de-
pend upon the pecun;ary aid of those
opposed to it.
1t was likewise said that the spirit
Of the nation demanded this increase
Of our navy. He remembered very
we'll thatit was 80 sah on a former
occasion. and that the finger of hea-
ven pointed to war. but i, was very
soon found that the finger Of the peo-
pic pointed TO peace. 1t WAS then
said, as it is now said, that we were
a divided people. aud it was necessary
to convince foreign nations that We
would support our own government
The then executive WAS addressed
from all parts Of the United States,
wills pledges Of life, fortune and sa.
cred honor in support Of what nc had
done, or should do. This was in
tended to correct the error abroad
as to our being divided people, and
for no other purpose. It's object was
entirely misunderstood by the then
President. He thought they were
uneasy and wanted something TO stta-
dy them. An army was raised, and
taxes laid for their benefit !; navy
was provided which did honor to
themselves and the nation. that pro
tected our commerce, and caused our
flag to be respected, in every sea, in
consequence Of which our revenue
continued to increase, nOtwithstaad
Ing all the depredations committed
on eur commerce, and the nation ap-
peared to be prosperous and happy,
but when the people were called up
on 10 test the sincerity OF their
pledges and promises, by the pay
ment ola tax of only two millions of
dollars, they said they had been en-
tire!y misunderstood. that those pledg-
cs were intended to have an influence
abroad, aud not for the purpose OF
trouble at home, and that they would
not pay taxes to support navy, OF
army, ard the first opportunity they
had, they changed the admiuistra-
ton. lfthey would not then pay two
millions Of dollars, to support that
administration, can they be expected
topay nearly fifty millions for the sup
port of this. for the same pNrpeses.
Mr.. p. said, this administration.
during the last session Of Congress,
was addressed from all parts of the
union. and from many of the states
in their Legislative capacities, pro-
missing to support them with their
lives, fortunes and sacred honor, IN
common form. This perhaps was to
have its influence abroad. The adj
ministration, believing them sincere,
have been induced to declare war.
and are left to carry it on without
N