The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-04-13

mcationS more profitable, more independent,
and more-fafe. No new impofts; no loans; a
debt which cannot increafe, but mutt dimiuih
an accumulation of means fufficient to maintain
during ten years the actual Gate of the war.
Such is the petition of France.
This war has been very little on the offenlive
but it has been far from inactive. France has
been fecure. She has RATED up force until
this day unknown. She has planted in the very
botom of the eneny's country 4 principle of
ipquietude without remedy and by prudence
and an energy uncealing The has fecured for e.
yer the confidence of the continent, little f,a-
ken at the outlet of an incendiary war which
might have fet Europe in a blaze, and whole
progrefs has been arrened by the aiIiduous eff
forts of watchfulueis, moderation, firmnefs, &
wiidom.
What is the ituation of the enemy The
people are in arms; and Whit want, aflifted by
genius, has prompted us TO invent new fpe-
cies of marine, want and fear have compelled
the Enghlh cabinet to fubititute every where ir-
ritaticn inftead ofthe ordinary weapons of war.
The cabinet is divided between two projects,
thofe of invaiion and defence. 1t is prodiga of
uielefss intrenchments; it covers the COATS
with fortrefles it inceiIantly builds up and
takes down its batteries; it fearches for fome
method to arreft or turn aide the courle of the
mighty torrent. 1t projects foundations on its
u
ferred TO the camps, and the turbulence of the
camps is in the cities.
Ireland, the Indies, even the flores of Eng
land, are an Object of perpetual and inieterm-
nate difquietude. Whatever appertains to
England is uncealingly menaced by 500 vef-
fcls which conlpoie our fotilla, at prefent by
hxty fhipS of the line, and by valorous army
commanded by the frit generals of the univerfe.
The mott alarming of all menaces, would it
not be that of 4 flexible patience, by which we
might periit during ten years in that fate of
ret and of expectation which would leave to
our operations the knowledge and the choice of
places, of time, and of the means of annov-
ance /?
Thefe considerations, ard this contrah, ought,
in my opinion, to have nfpired the Englifh go
vernment with the wife refolution of making the
firft advances to prevent hoftilites it has not
done it. II has left 20 the Emperor all the ad-
vantage of that honorable beginning. 1t has,
however, replied to the proportions which have
been made to it; and if we compare this reply
with the difgracefuy celebrated declarations
of Lord Grenviile in the year 8, | mutt acknow-
ledge it is not defitute of moderation and of wifi.
dom. have now the honour of reading il TO
you.
Latter from Lard Mulgr4ze Ia lis EsceHsnev Vi.
de TaAeyrand, miaifer Of to,rien Affairs.
C His majeity has received the letter which
has been addreiIed to him by the Chief of the
French Government, dated the I'd of the pretent
month.
There is no object which his maeity had
more at heart than to friZe the fr& opportunity
OF procuring anew to his fubiects the advanta-
ges of peace founded on BATS not inco,npa
tible with the permanent fecurity and the eiien-
tIai interefts of his fates. His majefty is per-
iuaded this object cannon be attained but by ar
IL, a 4
for the future fafety and tranquility Of Europe,
and TO prevent the renewal of thofe dangers and
misfortunes by which fhe has found herfef fur
rounded. Comfortable 70 this fentiment, his
r'9effv feels it impoliblr TO reply more par;i
cuaiiy tn the overture which has been made 70
MIN until he has had time to communicate with
thefe powers Of he continent with whom he is
engaged in confidential intercourse and connec-
ton; and Especially with the Emperor of Ruff
fla, who has given the ftrongef proof of the wife
and dignified fentiments with which he is ami
mated, and Of the lively intereft he takes in the
fafety and independence Of Europe.
Doz07ing -f,eet, lab .fanuary, 1905.
Signed, MULGRAVE.
The character which prevails in this reply is
vague and indeterminate. One idea only pre-
ierts Itteif with precon, that of recourft to TO-
reign powers; and that idea is not of pacific
nature; fuperhIous Intervention ought not to
be required, if there is no with TO embarrafs the
dfcui'ions and TO render them endlefs. The or
binary reiult of all complicated negotiations is
to four the mind, to weary the good intentions,
and TO throw the ftates again into war become
more violent by the disappointment of not ha-
wing iucceeded III bringing about reconciliati-
on.
In qnelon, however, which embraces \
multitude of ereftsand of pafIions, which have
not always been at variance, it would not be
proper to flop at one Jingle point.
Time will foon unfold to us the fecret of the
retolutions of the Ensliih government. Ifthefe
refoutions are jut and moderate, we Nhall fee
an end to the caiamities of war; if, on ths con-
trary, this hrf appearance of reconciliation
ihonld prove feint calculated only to ferve foe
culations Of credit, to facilitate a oau to give
time to collect money from abroad, to make
pnrchdfes and enterprises, then we fhould know
with certainty how far the difpofitions of the e.
nemy are implacabe and obfinate, and we
thou'd have no other alternative than TO rciett
with difdain the hopes Of dangerous allure
ment, and to commit ourfeves to the goodnefs
of our caufe, the inace of Providence, and the
gcnias of the Emperor.
Untl new light fiall brighten the obfcnrity
OF the preient fitu1ion ofaffairs, his mlieRy the
Emperor has thought that the imperfect difclo
f',re which his m1iefy the king or England has
Judged proper to make of the fri advances of
France, required on his part a complete expof
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