American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-09-03
This too. sir, is the substantial argument of MIR.

This too, sir, is the substantial Argument of Mr.
Pckerlng's letter. The suspicious of design il
own administration to plunge US into war will
Britain, ! never have shared. Our administration
have every interest and every motive that can infiu
ence the conduct OF man TO deter them from aD]
such purpose. Nor have seen any thing in the
measures bearing the slightest indication OF it. Blu
between design OF war with England and a sur
render Of our national freedom for the sake OF wal
with the rest OF Europe there is material difference
This is the policy now in substance recommended
to US, and for which the interposton Of The com
mercial states is called. For this, not only all III,
outrages Of Britain are to be forgotten, but the verJ
assertion Of our rights is to be branded with odiun
-impressmeRt- trade-BritiSh taxation
Every thing that can distinguish state Of nation
al freedom from state of national rassalage, is C
be surrendered at discretion In the face OF every
fact are told to believe every professionally the
midst of every indignity, pointed TO British
protection as only shield against the universal
comparatively phantom of jealousy and lear is
invoked--the image OF France with scourge in hel
hand is impressed into the service, to lash us into
the refuge of obedience to --nsnuatons are
made that If Britain with her thousand ships
OF war; has not destroyed our commerce it has been
owing 10 her indulgence and we are almost threat
ened 10 her name with the " destruction OF our
fairest Cities
Not one act Of hostility to Britain has been com.
lttedby US. she has not pretence OF that kind TO
aHege--but if she will wage war upon US, are we to
do nothing in own defence Ii she issues orders
OF universal plumber upon our commerce. are we not
TO withhold 1t from her grssps is America pillage
one OF those rights which she has claimed and ex
ercsed until we are foreclosed from any attempt to
obsruct its collection For what purpose are we
required to make this sacrifice of every thing that
can give value 10 he name Of ireemen, this aban-
Comment OF the very right OF self preservation !.
Is II to avoid war? alas. sir, il does not offer
even this plausible plea OF pusillanimty for, as
submission would make us to all substantial pur
poses British colonies her enemies would unques
tionably treat such. and after degrading our
selves into voluntary seryltude to escape war with
her, We should incur inevitable war with all her
enemies and be doomed share the des!inies OF her
conflict with world ia arms.
Between this unqualified submission and offensive
resistance against the war upon maritime neutrali.
ty, waged by the concurring DEGREES of all the great
belligerent powers, the embargo was adopted and
has Deen hitherto continued SO far was il from be
ing dictated by France, that 1t was calculated to
withdraw and has Withdrawn from within her reach
all The means OF compulsion which her subsequent
DEGREES would have put In her possession Ii has
added to the motives both of France and England
Tor preserving peace with US, and has diminished
their inducements 10 war.
i has lessened their capacities Of infciing niu-
ry upon US, and given some preparation for re-
slslance TO them-it has taken from ;heir violence
the lure OF interest-ft has dashed the filler oil
plIlsge from the lips Of rapine. That it is dis |
tressIng to ourselyes-thst il calls for the fortude
OF people, determined 10 maintain their rights, is
hot 10 pc denied. But the only alternative was be
tween that and war. Whether it will yet save us I
from that calamity, cannot be determined, but il
not 1t VIII prepare US for tie further struggle to
winch we may be called Its double tendency oil
promoting peace and preparing for war in its ope
ration upon Doth oeigerent rivals, is the great ad-
vantage which more than outweighs all its evils.
II any statesman can point out another aterna-
i've am ready 10 hear him. and for any practice.
Bile eSpedent 10 lend him every possible assistance
But let not that expedien be, submission 10 trade
under British licenses and British taxation. wei
are told that even under these restrictions we NAV
yet trade to the British dominions, 10 Africa andI
emma, and WI h the colonies of France SPAN and
holland ask not how much Of this trade would
De eii' when our intercourse with the whole CONT
nent Of Europe being cut off would leave US mol
means OF purchase, and no market for sale ask
not what trade We could enjoy with the colonies of
nations with which We should be at war: ! ask not
now long ltain would leave open to us avenues of
trace which even 10 these very orders OF council
sne ooasls OF Leaving open as special indulgence
II we yield the principle. we abandon all pretence
10 national sovereignty To yearn for the fragments
OIL trade which might be left, would be to pine for
the crumbs OF commercial servtude. The boon.
which we should humilia.e ourselves to accept
from British bounty, would soon be Withdrawn |
Submission never yet sat boundaries to encroach. /
ment From pleading for half the empire, we /
should sink into supplicants for lfe-we should
SupPlicate in vain If must fall, let US fall free
men-lf We must perish, let it be in defence Of our
NIGHTS.
To conclude, sir, am no, sensible of any neces.
sty for the extraordinary interference of the com.
mercial states to control the general councils Off
The nation If any interference could. at this crit I
zeal extremity of our affairs have kindly effect