Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

From the Boston Repertory

Is our country prepared for war? Our administration and their partizans appear to be extremely anxious for it, and to exult that, at last, it appears inevitable. Where are our preparations? Our gunboats are stranding on our coasts, because they are unmanageable, or dashing the brains out of their crews. (Recollect late accounts.) We have three or four frigates. Great Britain, our "assumed enemy," has 1155 vessels of war, of which 256 are ships of the line. Against these, offensive policy would be madness, and we do not require or expect it; but surely it is time to prepare for defence. It is time to give our merchants notice. To fortify our coasts and harbors. To lay heavy taxes while taxation is practicable. To borrow money while any credit remains. The prospect of a war with England, at this time, must be particularly unpleasant to our merchants, as there is a great probability that the North of Europe will soon throw off the Gallic yoke, and of course cease to plunder us. Portugal too, the ally of England, is now open to us, and Spain, from appearances will soon be. We are joining Bonaparte, at last, when his projects are desperate, his fortune failing him, and his friends deserting him—with the glorious chance of being completely ruined, ourselves.