The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-06-27


cherry, the uiual refources OF weak and dcclin-
ing fates this once potent empire is lefs in
debted for its exifence to the forbearance, than
TO the unceahng iealoufes, of the furrounding
nations. The epoch is not far diitant, however,
when the fucceiiors of Selim III. will be forced
TO crofs the Bolphorus of Tmacc, and the
Turks once more, perhaps, become paitorai
tribe amidf the plains of Ala.
Nor mutt mention be wholly omitted of an
other quarter the world. The new Continent,
although expofed by turns to the tpoliations of
the principal maritime powers,h has found means
10 preferve prudent if not digni6ed neutrali
ty, amid the convuGons of the ancient world.
Unmoyed by the flock ofnations, the adopted
land of Penn, and the native foil of Franklin and
Wilmington, calmly purfues its lilent but fuc-
ceisful career, & beholds its population nearly
doubled at the end of every end luitre. The fates
are preparing an exalted deGiny for this nation,
or rather this congeries of rihng empires, which
even in its cradle commended with the ferpents
that ahailed its infancy, and now, invigorated
alinott into manhood, is ready, ifprompted by
neccflity, to oppofe the many-headed hydra at
the fight of which Europe turns pale. The arts
and licences, following in the train of free
dom, will foon ennoble thofe immeufe forefs
which have hitherto only refounded with the
barbarous ihouts of war and the chace /; and
when the fun of liberty fcts to Europe, that lu-
L
ing beams land waihed OH one iide by the
waves of the fubiect Atlantic, and enriched on
another by the Mifiifiippi, then become tribu-
tary ftream.
| A comfortable period mutt eapfe before Auf-
tria can recover from long and dliattrous war,
bequeathed as patrimony to Francis III. by the
emperor Leopold his father. The acquifition
of Venice, fftria, and Dalmatia, affords but an
inadequate compensation tor the defeat of 70
u
houfe, and the lofs of Lombardy, Tufcany, and
the Netherlands.
On the other hand, the king of Pruflia, by
maintaining the neutrality of the north of Ger
many, and taking advantage of paffing events,
has enabled a crown 70 lately ducal to rival the
liplendour of the imperial diadem. Even the
father of Professionalism the Second, atho'
llave to bis pleafures towards the latter end OF
his reign, did not forget the ruling maxims OF
the houfe of Brandenburg and the prefent
protector of the Germanc liberties, win carve
out fufficient indemnihcaton for the lofs OF
his pof1efIions on the left bank of the Rhine, in
the more contiguous territories of fome of the
leccleliaftical co-eftates.
In return for the immenfe facrihces made by
Charles Nv. one prince, nearly allied to the
throne of Bourbon, has been permitted to fit on
the throne of modern Tufcany, now recognized
as kingdom under the ancient name of Etru-
/
to fway the fceptre of the Two Scies. 1t is
but little more than a.century fince Spain ac-
quired new world for herfelf in America, and
appeared at the fame time to regulate the defti
my of Europe. But the luitre of the ancicn,
monarchy appears of late to have been clouded
and that kingdom which, while primary pla.
net, daZzled mankind with its radiance, has at
laf funk into the fatellite of a new republic,
being attracted within its orbit, and regulated
lby its influence.
! Portugal, on the other hand, dependent alike
on the fale other fcanty indigenous productions
and the produce of her diitant colonies, recog-
lniZes that 1ceptre which governs the empire OF
the ocean. The late war has proved enincntly
ldifaftrous to her PROPERTY; and fhe is indebt-
led, perhaps, to the policy and forbearance OF
a neighbouring court alone, for the retention OF
her independence. But her finances have been
lderanged, and the prince regent has been for
lced, by an overbearing necefity, to relinquifh a
province of his domnops in Eorope to father
lin-law, at the fame time that portion of hi:
territories in America, have been reiigned to an
enemy as boon for peace.
Holland, now recognized under the name OF
the Batayian commonwealth, and fubmitting to
France like commercial Carthage to warlike
Rome ofold, is equally jealous of her new pro-
tector and her recent enemy. Abhorent of war
and anxious as heretofore, to profit by the
/ IIiilSS OF peace, ncr UBIQUITOUS ClIfLSnS only
pant for liberty 70 plow the ocean with thei,
merchantmen, and produce an interchange oil
commodities between the natives of the torpid
north and the inhabitants OF the rich but lazy
lfouth. Yet, being deftitute of AN army, depri-
we'd of a feet, and bound in the golden manacles
forged by long and iuccefsful commerce, Bs-
tavia, which 70 long and 70 manfully reiifted
Spain, now feems fated like Switzerland to
die under the hyperion force and influence of
lneighbouring fate.
France, at irf perfecuted into greatness, has
on the contrary, obtained every Object which
can be coveted by great people, fave that fol
which ihe originally commended. With the ex
ception of one Jingle nation alone, ile has either
terrified or overpowered every foe with her de.
Touring armies, while countries hitherto accuE
toned only to the fhouts of triumph, have
fhrunk and withered up beneath the ardor Of
her innumerabe warriors. The Alps, the Ap-
PENNIES, the Pyrenees, have been fcaled the
Rhine the Trebia, the Inn, and the Danube
have been crolfed by her adventurous legions.
The battles of Fleurus, of Lodi, of Marriage
and ofHohenlnden, have added population o.
thirteen millions to an empire which, during the
early part of the reign of Louis xiv. had near.
ly wrefted the fceptre ofindependeHce from Eu
rope aiociated againlt it. The narrow feas, the
| Pyrcnees, the Mediterranean, and the utmon
frontiers of Piedmont, convey but a feeble idea
of the limit oF cou{ifar France armed with thf