Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-12-09

soners Of var, under the banners OF theil
adopted country, fighting for its rights
and itr safety.
The protection due to these Citizens
requiring an effectual Interpolation IN
| thsir behait, like number OF British
| prisoners of war were put into cohhne.
ment, With notification that they would
experience whatever violence might b'
| committed on the American prisoner OF
/ war sent to G. Britain.
| WAS hoped ,ha, this necessary COD.
sequence OF the step unadvlsediy taken
! ON tho part of G B.would have led he'
| government to reflect on the Inconsistent.
! cies of It's conduct, and that sympathy
with the British, If not with the Ame.
rican sufferers, would have arrested the
cruel career opened BY its exanp!e.
This was unhsppily not the case. In
violation both of consistency and OF hu.
MARTY, American officers and non com-
! missione,i officers, III double the num-
Der of the British soldiers confined here
were ordered into close confinement,
with formal notice, that in the event 81
q retaliation for the death Which nigh
be inflicted on the prisoners ct war sen
to G. b. Tor trial, the officers so cur,iin.
ed would be put to death also. Il Mas
notified at the same tire that the cep-
mapders of the British hetas and armfc'
on our coasts are instructed, in the same
event, to proceed with destructive sc
verify against our towns .ad their inha
bitants.
rhst no dorst might be left with the
enemy of our adherence 20 the retal'st-
ing resort imposed on US, correspond
ent number Of Brlti.b officers prisoners
of war in eur hand. were Immediately
put into close confinement. to abide toe
fate Of those confined by the enemy;
and the British government has been
apprized Of the determinstlon If this
government, to retaiiste any other pro.
ceeding against Us, contrary TO the lc
petimate modss of sarc,
1t is az fortunate far the United States
that they have it in their power to nee
the enemy in this deplorable contest, a.
| it IL honorable to them, that they do no
Join in it but under the most irpcrl'u-
Obligations, and with the bum-;, par
pose of calculating return TO the esta
blished usages OF war.
The views Of the French govern.
ment on the subjects which have
been so long committed TO uegocia.
ton, have received no eiuriiation
| since the close of your late session.
The Minister Pleniao,entiary Of Z.
States at Paris had net been enabled,
by proper opportunities. to press the
objects Of his mission, Us prescribed
BY his instructions,
The militia being always to he re.
gnrded Ms the great buiwark Of de-
fence and security for free states, 4
the constitution having wissI, COM
mii,ed to the national authority use
Of that force. as the best provision
against an unsafe military establish.
mrnt, Az we'll .s resource peculiar.
" adapted to a country having the
extent and The exposure OF the u. S.
I recommend TO Congress a revision
Of the militia laws for the purpose
Of securing, more etfectually, the
services of all detachments called
into the employment Of the United
States.
| II will deserve the consideration of
Congress also, whether, among other
| improvements in The militia laws, Jus.
tiee does not require regulations.
under due precautions. for defray-
ing The expenee incident to the first
assembling rs well as TO the suisse
| queut movements Of detachments
called into the national service.
To give to our vessels of war,
public and private. The requisite ad-
vantage in their cruises. il il of much
Importance that they should have.
both for themselves and their prizes.
! the use OF the ports OF friendly pow
! rrs. With this view, ] recommend
! to Congress the expediency of such
j legal provisions as may SIMPLY The dc.
| fects, or remove the doubts Of the
Executive authority TO allow TO the
| cruisers IL ether powers, at war with
enemies Of the United States such
! use Of the American ports and mar.
. kes,s as may correspond with the
privileges allowed b. such powers to
American cruisers.
During The year ending on the
| sOth If September last, the receipts
into the Treasury have exceeded
thirty seven million and half of
dollars, Of which near twenty-four
millions were the produce Of loans.
After meeting all the demands for
the public service, there remained
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