Alexandria Daily Advertiser

From the Charleston Courier.

The capture of the Two Friends has produced a sensation in this city of a stronger kind than any that has been felt for several years. Those who, as Americans, alive to the honor and character of their country, have long been irritated at the nakedness and defenceless state of their ports, are now incensed to an extreme degree at the neglect of the commercial interests of the country. The cargo of the Two Friends was composed of a considerable part of the Spring and Summer supply of goods for this state: none other being expected till the Fall. The consequences to the merchants of Charleston on account, not only of the loss actually sustained, but of the disappointment of the planters, and other customers, are injurious in the extreme. What must the nations of the world think of a country whose commerce extends all over the globe, insulted in all its ports by paltry privateers, who seize and confiscate its property, even under the very cover of those places where guns ought to be? How can the persons who are intrusted with the guardianship of the country, its honor, and its interests, account for the defenceless nakedness of the land? where shelter themselves but under the wings of a majority?..

The public papers often dwell on the boarding of vessels by the English. More censure attaches to the government; that does not erect a force of sufficient size to deter the belligerent powers from such aggressions. It is said by some that Americans could not in many years build a navy able to cope with that of England. True; but it might build enough to make the country respected, in its harbors, to repress those paltry aggressions, which are disgraceful to us in proportion to their smallness. In every decision respecting such outrages a calculation takes place. on which if the risk be much greater than the advantage, the enterprize will not be attempted. If any of those hostile robbers were certain to be met by one or two stout American frigates, as they ought to be met, we should only hear of their running in and out for shelter and provision. But they can never be deterred by vessels of no more force than a gun boat. In the name of common sense Americans look into these things, and ask yourselves whether they must be overlooked and forgiven, because in condemning them, you must necessarily condemn, majority may consider a favorite, what a administration.