Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Mr. EDITOR,

When I am deprived of the supreme felicity of reading that oracle of patriotism, and "organ of the public will," printed in Philadelphia, for the want of a better. I occasionally condescend to look at the Alexandria Gazette, which, considering its political would be well enough was it not for the abominable "federal misrepresentations" which you suffer to pollute your columns.

Why, sir, it was only on Tuesday last you inserted a piece signed by four American captains underneath, pretending that their vessels had been burnt or sunk by our good friends the French, without trial, and themselves treated in the most savage manner--and in the Baltimore Federal Gazette of the 7th, there is a similar account signed J. Craig, of sixteen more vessels.

You and other federal editors have repeatedly declared, that the emperor, (who really loves us) had decreed that any American vessel that was only spoke with by an Englishman should be denationalized. That the cargoes of vessels that had been invited to France by proclamation, had been seized and condemned. That those who were permitted to land their cargoes, were not only obliged to pay the most exorbitant duties, but to receive two thirds of the amount in silks. That our seamen had not only been taken and carried to France, but pinioned and marched through the country like convicts to dungeons, where many are now living on a scanty allowance of bread and water. That the French government had declared to our minister that we were "without honor or energy," and had no more freedom than the people of "Jamaica."

These things are not so, they cannot be true. If they were, war would certainly have been declared against France, as well as England; the principal complaints against the latter being the orders in council, and the impressment of our seamen.

It is no way probable; or can it be believed, that our rulers would permit France to imprison our seamen and treat our captains in the most inhuman manner, and be guilty of the different oppressions you have set forth, without declaring war against her, as justice would call aloud for it and our honor demand it, particularly as we have considered the orders in council and the impressing of American seamen by the British sufficient cause for war against England.

RUSTICUS.