Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-05-08
From the Bait. Morn. Ctroa. Of May ]
UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA

VI thC NObduSS Vi nuootot ia JIG 1ShhS
ocean, says
"What have the United States to iear,
in resisting single handed the encroach-
mentS Oi kussla? At all events, 1t be-
COMES the american RepuDlic, great unit
powerful as 1t Is both ny land aad sea
TO take the lead III this controversy, aud
to set an example of justice and hrmness,
III maintaining It's rlshts against the usur.
passions ut despUt. Let Alexander be
promptly met at the threshold, and the
spirit oi the United States teach him,
tnat he is not negotiating with Turks and
Neapolitans, but VITA freemen who
know their rights and are determined
to vlndlcate them.'
WHAT the United States will have to
fear in case war should take place with
Russia, Or rather achat measure Of hos.
tihty zoe shalt prorote, can never be
known until the experiment is made, aud
as little DO we know that tins hostility
when provoked will DE single .handed.-
Great Britain stretches along the whoie
extent OF our northern frontier, and A
iexander embraces near y the same range
oil our western, with his arms. How
far actual hostlltles with one of these
powers, might provoke confederation
and alliance between the two, is 9ues-
ton worthy of solution before an ap-
peal Is made to arms. 1t is very true,
that the English ministers have protested
against the claim of Alexander to four
thousand miles OF ocean territory; but
still 1t remains TO be proved, that they
would carry this protest to the extent vi
cooperation with us, if we should
declare war against Russia. This fact
would not be taken for granted by any
statesman who was about setting down
to battle, and calculating the cost be
fore-hand. England may protest, and
make common cause with Russia in a
war with US, notwithstanding all such pro.
testants. Weare not however, amongst
the number of those who harbor such
apprehensions. England looks with a
jealous eye ON Russian aggrandizement;
she has protested against any interior
ence OF this power in the Internal affairs
OF Spain, as well as against her claim to
four thousand miles Of Pacific ocean.
Anxious to contribute no longer to the
growth OF such overpowering strength,
she appears to be watching a tavourite
moment to break off all connection with
Alexander, and his holy Alliance. f.
vents favourable to such change, are
hourly expected TO be developed on the
European continent. Not to take ad.
vantage offs such a state of things whene
yer 1t does occur, to demand a recogni
ton OF our maritime rights, would lie to
throw away an advantage that is placed
In our hands. The attention If Alex.
ander Is now distracted by the multi.
piiclty OF his claims. On the one hand
80 he Is pressed by the contest between
the Turks and the Greeks-on the other.
by the Spanish revolution, and the on.
position made by England to his project
OF invasion. 1t is at this time that he
disturbs the free commerce of America
IN the seas that wash our western from.
tier. There is surely no need that our
countryInen should hazard so many ad-
yantages tor urging the claims of Aneri.
ca resulting from such state of things,
by rash and precipitate resort to hos.
Tile measures. II the Greeks maintain
their independence against the Ottoman
Forte, OF which there seems every pro.
bable hope it Spain should be invaded
contrary to the admonitions of England.
a fair opportunity would be presented
for both England and America, to con.
lederate for the purpose OF obtaining
from Alexander, an express renuncia.
ton OF his claim TO four thousand miles
OF the Pacific ocean. Great Britain is
as much interested in this question as
America. The truth of the whole mai.
ter Is, that Alexander is pursuing the
same plan of aggrandizement, I'VE do
not say by the same means,) that Bo
naParte has done, and he may look e.
ventuaiIy to the same termination of his
labours. BY this, we do not mean st.
Helena, or personal Imprisonment, but
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of hi, empire, a pros
traton OF his strength. Ens land is pre-
pairing with her formidable navy, TO ar. |
ray herself in opposition to Russia, and |
is waiting the most suspicious moment
TO strike a decisive blow. There is no
immediate need of such haste ON our
part, as to talk OF "A single handed con
test, when nation equally interested
with us in the disposal Of this question,
only waits Tor favourable moment 10 co,
operate. But why do we talk Of Eng
land alone-Francc, Spain, Holland, |
every naval power is on This subject, IN.
terested OH Inc sldc a America.