The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

Alexandria, July 9.

Information of undoubted credibility has just reached our city, that the British squadron, having lay umrd a threatening position before Hampton, have required the citizens of Norfolk and Portsmouth to rescind their resolutions, and have declared that disobedience to the requisition will be esteemed a commencement of war. The demand has been rejected with becoming firmness. It is also stated, that in consequence of this and other hostile proceedings, the merchants of Baltimore have deemed it necessary to recall those vessels which had been recently discharged from their port, and to postpone the departure of others. The Committee of Alexandria, believing that individual safety and the public welfare may require a short suspension of the commerce of the Potomac, have thought it expedient to publish this information, and to advise the merchants of our city to detain their vessels while the commerce of the bay and river continues to be threatened with predatory violence. The committee do not intend to recommend any measure which has the color of undelegated power, but to apprise the citizens that their property cannot pass the bay and river without danger of loss to themselves, and of detriment to the community. The proclamation of government and the resolutions of our citizens were intended to repel an offensive belligerent from our waters by withholding the comforts of hospitality; but their removal cannot be effected in this manner, while supplies & riches can be gained by the plunder of our vessels. It is therefore hoped that a becoming regard for private interest and the common safety will prevent the citizens of Alexandria from exposing their vessels until open war or the restoration of amity affords more certain grounds of commercial calculation.

John M'Kinney,
Ch. Simms,
Robert Young,
Elisha C. Dick,
W. Jones, jun.
Cuthbert Powell,
N. Fitzhugh,
Francis L. Lee.