Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

From the North Carolina Minerva.
AN ADVICE.

I think, Americans, though past moments are not to be recalled, past errors may be repeated. Have you not daily provocations to war? Let the memory of oversights, by which you have suffered so much, instruct you to be more vigilant in the present danger.—Had your resolutions the virtue to compass what you intend, you would not see the efforts of the French multiply as they do, and upon every—nor would she be in a condition to outbrave and affront you in such a public manner. Proceed, then, to support your deliberations with vigour:
You have heads capable of advising what is best; you have judgment and experience to discern what is right; and you have power and opportunity to execute what you determine. What time so proper for action! What occasion so happy? And when can you hope for such another, if this be neglected? Has not the Directory, contrary to all treaties, insulted you both by land and sea? and still continues to ravage?—Is not the French an implacable enemy? a faithless ally? the usurper of your rights, to which they have no title nor pretence? a stranger, a barbarian, a tyrant? and indeed what are they not? In truth, if recovering from inactivity, you would assume the freedom and spirit of your ancestors; if you would be your own soldiers and your own commanders, no longer considering your affairs in mercenary hands, the world might, once more, behold you making a figure worthy of Americans. Yes, fellow citizens, you should make it a standing rule, that no person whatever, should be the better for the public money, who should hesitate to employ it for the public service. Are you in peace? The public is charged with your subsistence. Are you in war, or under a necessity as at this time, to enter into a war? Let your gratitude oblige you to accept, as pay, what you receive in peace, as a mere bounty. And without abolishing any thing but pernicious novelties; by converting for the future, the funds for the use of the serviceable, which are spent upon the unprofitable.—You may be well served in your armies; your troops regularly paid; justice duly administered; the public revenues increased; and every member of the commonwealth rendered useful to his country. This is what prompted me to represent to you upon this occasion—
May the God of all nations inspire you to determine upon such measures as may be most expedient for the public and private good. Then let all as one man, and with one voice shout: Let us march against France; let us fight for our liberties; let us conquer or die.
A SOLDIER.