Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

COMMUNICATION.
THE BILL FOR RECRUITING OUR ARMY.
In a war of conquest commenced on our part, we are about to take a step that will change the ancient and approved rules of society in regard to masters and apprentices, parents and children.—The rights of property are invaded in the first instance. In the latter the feelings of nature are stifled, and undutifulness rewarded. At the most unguarded period of life the youth is invited to disregard the counsel of his parent. He is told by his country, he ought to fight to extend its limits, because he is able; as a reward he is to be emancipated from parental authority, and shall be deemed and treated as a free man of full age if he will enlist to fight during the war with England, a war which will never end if it be continued until the French principles are established, whereby a ship at sea shall be taken as part of the territory of America, whereby goods belonging to an enemy in a neutral ship at sea, shall be as secure as if they were placed in a warehouse on land in the neutral country, whereby the subjects of one nation who shall in time of war desert their native country, their friends, their kindred, their parents and their children, shall be equally safe upon the sea in the merchant ship of another nation, as if obeying the natural impulse of patriotism they were fighting under the standard of their native country.
As to apprentices, have the Congress a power under the constitution to dissolve any contracts? If they have not it is easy to foresee that their statute will be disregarded by the magistracy in some states, which must produce new troubles and discontents at home. But these measures are found to be necessary to fill up the regular army, without which Canada will not be conquered.