Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

PREPARATION FOR WAR
Mr. Nicholas said, that there never was a period in any country which more required the union and exertion of all its citizens to extricate it from its difficulties, than the situation of this country required at the present time. The two most powerful nations of the world (said he) are in a state of war against this country. Their aggressions against us have been continued for twelve months ; whilst we have used every honorable means in our power to avoid war. I have repeatedly declared my determination never to submit to the wrongs received ; that when the embargo failed we must resort to the valor and patriotism of our citizens. 'Sir, we have too much reason to believe that the moment is at hand when nothing else can extricate us from our difficulties. My attention has been particularly called to the necessity of a measure of the sort I am about to propose from the opposition made to the preparation for war by gentlemen who rely wholly upon the embargo as a coercive measure, and declare that as long as it continues, no preparation should be made with a view to a state of war. If the country remains in a situation unprepared to meet war until the period when every man would be satisfied that the embargo ought to be raised, we shall be compelled to continue it six, eight, or ten months longer till we can prepare for actual war. But, sir, in our preparations, mere defence should not be the sole object. We are the injured party in the contest. This state of things imposes upon us the necessity of being prepared to prosecute the war ; because if we seek redress for injury, the mere defence of the country will not answer the purpose--and therefore there is the greater necessity for extensive preparation. After these observations, Mr. N. offered the following resolution, which he moved to refer to a committee of the whole :
Resolved, As the opinion of this house that the U. S. ought not to delay beyond the day of to repeal the embargo laws, and to resume, maintain and defend the navigation of the high seas against any nation or nations having in force edicts, orders or decrees; violating the lawful commerce and neutral rights of the United States.
After a few observations from Mr. Dana, expressive of a wish to see a whole system, and the object of the preparation for war precisely defined, expressing at the same time a desire to give the subject an early consideration, the resolution was made the order of the day for Monday next, in preference to to-day, 53 to 45.