Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-18

they have acquired further strength. In the
very terms Of previous concession they can
find subject for fresh demands. With recipro-
city for ever in their mouths, they can induce
us 10 relax our system of Navigation and yield
them commercial advantages, which they then
refuse or delay TO return, and seem TO think
conduct, which in private life would be thought
little consistent with good faith, to be the proof
ofpolicy on their part, or OF weakness upon
ours. Yet, 10 whatever subtility they may de-
scend on some occasions, the bodness OF their
measures on others bears no proportion 10 the
imbeclllty OF their present power, but seems 10
assume all the importance OF their future ex-
pectations; and as if the vast Countries OF the
West were now too lt,le tor their increase, or
were already butthe means OF acquiring more,
we see them grasping, with one hand, the shore
OF the Gulph of Mexico, and reaching, with
the other, at the Gulph of ST. Lawrence; forli-
fying the mouth or;he Columbia, on that side
of the globe, intriguing and threatening for
port in the Mediterranean, upon this; at one
time, fortiding any nation 10 colonize the,c
of the Pacific, and debating, at another, to the
new Republics the South, not to touch the
Havana; and now, at last, publicly proclaiming
by the Message OF their President, that their
former submission to neligerent rights can only
be remembered with the resolution Of never
enduring it again. What is this but to say that
ii any nation will go to war with Great Bril-
tain, they stand ready TO Join themo Their
attempt to seize, their unwilingness 10 relin-
quish, their very demand of, the territory in
question, is striking indication of their pre-
sent aims, and future measures. For why do
they thus covet the possession Of so angular
and insulated tract, as if they had not already
more vacant land than they can people for cen
turtles? Why, but for the injury and insult it
must inffict upon Great Britain? For surely
the injury to the security of the Empire will
not be greater than the insult upon lis policy;
if they have any argument, by which we can be
persuaded, that the North west angle of Nova
Scotia, which France once had at the source Of
the Kennebec, England at the Penobscot, and
the Americans themselves, in 83, agreed was
on the south Of the ST. Johns, is, in point of
fact, at the mouth of the ST. Lawrence. The
secret is, that the United States have long
found the British American Provinces TO lie
heavily on !heir flank and rear, and overhang
and command their coast. To throw off SO ef-
fectual curb, and still more, by the acquisition
of these possessions, to rid themselves Of The
superiority, or even Of the presence, Of the Bri-
fish feets in those waters; 10 get at their mines,
to monopolize, the fish and timber Of America,
force themselves into the West Indies, and force
Great Britain out: these have been their con-
slant objects, since their first struggle for indie
pendence to the present hour. Their Efforts
have as yet been unavailing; nor have they for
the future. by arms at least, any prospect OF
better success. In few years, these Colonies
will not contain less than two millions of inhab-
itants, who, in such country as America, ale
not to be conquered; and in the meantime, ex-
perlence has shewn, that with the protection of
Great Britain, they may be defended except in
deed their natural barriers are conceded by ne
gociation, and their connexion and communi-
cation with each other separated and lost"