Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

FROM THE NORFOLK LEDGER.

With heartfelt sorrow, we lay before our readers the proceedings of congress of Thursday last, from which we are satisfied that the embargo will continue. Those who have not attended to legislative proceedings, may imagine, that as the majority was so small, and as 6 or 7 members opposed to the embargo, were absent, that there is yet some reason for hope. But the question being only to consider the measure, and the majority being against it, we consider it settled; for among those who voted in the affirmative on this question, are some of the warmest advocates for the embargo, such as Messrs. Macon, Clopton, &c.

We anticipate the despair, which will pervade among those, whose hopes for future support, depend on the revival of commerce and industry. To look forward to another year's embargo, is too painful--those who estimate their future sufferings by the past, will find that the former will exceed the latter beyond all comparison.

We had thought that every one had abandoned the embargo, as a measure of coercion; after being informed by official communications, that neither of the great belligerents cared for it, we did not expect to hear gentlemen in congress talking about the price of wheat in England, the price of flour in the W. Indies, and the probable wants of the patriots of Spain and Portugal. But it is natural for those, who have no resources in their own minds, to look for aid from extraneous causes, however remote.

It seems now to be admitted by all, that the situation of the country is highly critical, and that difficulties present themselves on every side; it is demanded by the ruling party, in tone of arrogance, very unbecoming in those who have had the uncontrouled management of our public affairs for eight years, "What is to be done?" That is indeed a serious question, and under our present situation, very difficult to be satisfactorily answered. Among the first, and we believe, the most effectual modes of relief from our distresses, would be the removal of all those, who have had any agency in bringing the country into the present condition, and that too as soon as possible.

The persons who are now in power, talk as if the country was now for the first time in difficulty. But there are those, who remember that our country has been in situations equally perilous, but, from which the sterling talents, and integrity of the Federal administration delivered us, with equal honor and advantage.

Have the people forgotten the machinations of Genet, aided by the zeal of his numerous partizans? Washington defeated them all, and saved our country from the destructive consequences of revolutionary frenzy, and what would have been worse, from French domination.

In 1793 and 1794, Great-Britain commenced her system of depredation on our commerce and carried it to an extent that threatened its annihilation. The federal administration did not abandon all commerce; on the contrary our countrymen were indemnified by the British government for those depredations.

Again in 1798, France, at a time when the United States and her allies had numerous and powerful navies, thought proper to disregard treaty and public law, and to attack our rights on the ocean. It is true that the federal administrations spared no exertions to conciliate France. but when they found her deaf to the calls of justice and honor, the sword was drawn, and every real American must remember with pride the honor 'with which our country came out of the contest.--Our commerce, instead of being checked by the short war, was extended beyond all former example. No entangling alliances was formed with the rival of France, when the latter came to a sense of justice, our hostility ceased. If the same spirit which animated our councils, at the epochs we have enumerated, had existed when the Berlin Decree issued, we should never have heard of orders in council or perpetual embargoes.