Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

To the Editor of the United States Gazette.

WASHINGTON, Thursday, Jan. 28.

Dear Sir,

We are to day favoured with another grand exposure of our great and good president. He seems very happy in the discovery, that the embargo is a most excellent thing--that the "wisdom" of it "is established beyond a shadow of doubt"--and that "commercial ruin would have ensued, but for this measure;"--" and that Great-Britain has assumed the complete empire of the ocean." He congratulates himself, " that under these circumstances, a provident government could not have done less, than restrain the rash and dishonest spirit of enterprize, whose indulgence hazarded the essential interests of the nation." And the omission of this "sacred duty would have justly merited that reprobation, which would most assuredly have been bestowed by those who have been most clamorous against the policy of the measure."

Here the truth appears. Had Mr. J. found, that this wise and politick measure, could have borne its own weight, he would not have troubled himself to have been its apologist ; and the severe goadings he has had both in and out of congress, would have been perfectly harmless.

The fact is, he is stung to the quick; all the prognosticks of the opposers of the impolitick measure are fast verifying, and he catches at every thing like a drowning man at a straw, to support himself. He therefore wishes (need I say meanly wishes) to throw a stigma upon those who had firmness enough to oppose the measure, and represent in its proper colours, the cruelty, oppression, and ruin, which it would inevitably produce in our country. Those who advocated the rights and property of their fellow citizens, are endeavoured to be libelled and traduced; and for what? For their exertions to prevent the adoption of that, which in their opinion, and which events have shown, would be productive of no good, but of incalculable distress.--And is it right that the friends of the people should be stigmatized, as calumniators, for doing their duty and by one long ago styled the friend of the people ? This, it must be confessed, is a hasty stride towards assuming, though not the " complete empire of the ocean," what is, at least, of as much consequence to us poor Americans--the complete empire of our country. While we admire the great self complacency of the thing, we ought at the same time, justly to appreciate the modesty of the act. But in order to decide which, in justice and truth, ought to be called the clamourer, let the question be thoroughly considered; and ask gentlemen--are you a merchant, and a ship holder ? Whether would it have been more for your interest, if you had been permitted to have gone with your vessel and cargo wheresoever you pleased ; and whether you would not have been in a better situation, than to have had your vessel rotting at the wharf and your cargo sinking in your hands? The answer is given by those, who made their escape from the jaws of the embargo, and by the poor Philadelphia petitioners --who have prayed to go, but cannot have liberty.

Are you a sailor ? whether would it have been better for you to have taken the chance of being impressed (and you know exactly the amount of the risk, as well as the greatest man in America) and have received the wages you have been accustomed to, or to be wholly deprived of employment and compelled to beg or leave your country ? The answer is effectually given, by all those who have risen to represent their grievances in different parts of the United States. Are you a fisherman? It is said you can go to sea and catch fish ; true, you can--But what can you do with the fish when caught ? Is four dollars no better than one and a half per quintal--or perhaps no price at all ? And can those of you who have depended upon having your outfits upon credit or of merchants joining in the adventure, now go to sea to fish, when you can obtain neither? The answer is given, by the late doings of the fishermen in Massachusetts.--Are you a farmer ? Do you imagine that an act which has deprived you of half the value of your produce, and left you with your debts and taxes to pay, is any way beneficial to you? This question perhaps you have not had as yet, a necessity of answering : but if the time has not arrived, it is not far distant.-- Mr.J. has boasted that the farmers are easy and quiet-it is praiseworthy in them to remain so ; but they certainly can judge of " the wisdom" of the act. For if the embargo had not been laid, their produce would have sold for good prices, and the merchants were perfectly able to pay, and willing to take the risk of finding a market abroad for the disposal, without an idea of deserving the censure of " rash and dishonest spirit of enterprize."-- Sterne says, " an injury coupled with an insult makes every man a party." How far the merchants will conceive, they have received both injury and insult, I leave for their better judgment to decide.

Mr. J. has also boasted that the mechanicks are quiet. They certainly are deserving of great commendation; for if some, which I shall take the liberty of mentioning, can bear up under their distresses, they are more than Spartan heroes in bearing sufferings. For instance all those employed in ship-building. From he who fells the tree in the forest, until its delivery, either in timber, or plank, spars or boards, many hands are employed, and many months of labour satisfied-but this is but the beginning. The carpenter, the blacksmith, rope-maker, rigger, caulker, sailmaker-and joiner--all have mouths to feed--and the embargo is taking bread from the mouth of labour with a vengeance.

I must take the liberty of leaving Mr. Jefferson to reason with these men, and to convince them by the soundness of his logick, that if they build ships for the merchants, they would have the " rashness and dishonesty of enterprize" to send them to sea and they would be taken, and the embargo being the only means of preventing it, they must join in praising its wisdom. The next class of mechanicks are those (more numerous than the other) employed in house building. From the humble digger of the cellar, or him that makes the brick, or lays them, to the painter who gives the finishing stroke; all have mouths and families to feed and clothe. But who is to employ them to build houses, or who are to pay rent for fine houses if the embargo continues ? This class of men will be justly entitled to the highest praises, if they remain quiet and endure, for their country's good; at least, they will have leisure enough to inquire into the " wisdom" of the embargo. It is unnecessary to enumerate every kind of manufacturer, who may have cause (when they feel) for admiring the " wisdom" of the measure I will except, however, those who are so fortunate, as to manufacture clothing for the members of congress-they undoubtedly will receive their pay as heretofore : and above all, there is one species of manufacturers, whom it is presumed will remain quiet, and bear the measure with fortitude, for the good of their country.-I mean the manufacturer of writs : A friend in the country, in a late letter informs me, that this species of paper, will be the only currency in his part of the country in a very short time. In Virginia, however, it is said they have a specifick by way of cure, which is there said to be indigenous--called stop law : whether as an exotick, the climate of other states may be congenial to its growth, I cannot determine-but this is certain the embargo is a most excellent measure. In my next, I shall consider the assigned causes of the embargo, and endeavour to probe the wound to the bottom, and find if possible its true causes.

Yours,

&c,