The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-07-02
GDs Hngu;ger.
INDEprNDENcE or AMERICA,

the American Gds Of the Atlantic ocean had received
fon, the fame rights Others born Under TIE
meridian Of Greenwich, and that difference of iixty-
Xix degrees of longitude could have no power of
changing them. They undrrfood, more perfectly
perhaps than Europeans, what the rights COM
mon to all the indivdussof the human race aud a.
ong theie they included the rsh; of not paying any
tax TO which they had nos eonfen,ed. Eu, the Bril-
tih Government, pretending 90 believe that Cod had
cyea.ed America as well IS Ala, for the gratieati-
ON and good peafre Of the inhabitants OF London,
refolved hold in bondage fublect nation ,uated
acros the feas ut the dtance ut three thouiand miles
intending make her the initrument in due time
of enfavin the mother country itelf. Accordingly,
It commanded the fervile Representatives of the pvo-
PIE of England to violate the rights of America, by
fubieaing her TO compulsory taxation. This iniuf.
tce he conceived, authorized her diffolve every
Gle Of connection, ard fhc declared her independence
Then was oblerved for the iirf time, the exam
re of great people throwing of every ipe-
eies of chains, and peaceably framing for telf the
form OF government aud the laws wiick it isde ed
would be moa conducive to its happiuels, and as,
from its geographical petition, and its former pol.ti-
cal fate, it was obliged become federal nation
thirteen republican nnituticns fren to grow
up in its bofom, having for their bas folenn reccg-
milton of the natural rights of man, and for their frt
oble the preiervation of thoie rights through every
dcpartm emf of the union.
ing herielf independent of the Bri,ih government,
4 war enfued between the enlightened nations,
in which one contcI'ded for the natural rights of
mankind, the other for that impious doctrine which
fubjes thefe rights prefcrpton, political into
refs, and written conventions The great cauie at,
Mue tried, during this war, in the tribunal of
opinion, and, were, before the aebled nations
of mankind. The rights of men Were freely nv.n,-
gated, and ftrenuouiy Imported in writings which
circulated from the banks of the Neva to thoie
of the Guadal9uivr. Thefe diicuiIions penetrated
into the moa eniaved countries, into the mon DIFF
tans and retired hanilets. The fnple inhabitants
were aitonhed hear Of rights belonging to them
they enquired into the nature and Importance of
thofe rights: they found that other were in arms
TO re-coi,quer defend them.
In this fate Of thing. it could mo- be long before
tue transatlantic revolution mut find its n,ators in
the European quarter of the world And if there
exi!sed country in which, from attachment to their
caute, the writings aud principles OF the Americans
were more widely difcminated than in any other
pare of Europe; country at tine mott eniight-
ened and the Ieaa free; in which philosophers had
ioared to the iubn,et ptoh OF nells ,ual attainment
aud the government funk in the deepeh and
NOT inoierabie ignorance where the fpirii of the
laws Was 10 far below the general fprit and lmi-
nation, that national pride and inveterate prejudice
were alike aihanled of vndicating the old inti,uti-
o,s; IT, lay, there exied iuch country, not
tre people OF thar country defined by the very ma
ture Of things, to give the fir upulie to ts revoI
luton, expected by the friends of humanity with
iuch eager inpatience, fuch ardent hope Accor-
si.agiy 1t was to commence 18th France.
e The inlpolicy and unA.ilfuneis Of the Frenc,,
government hatened the event. 1t guided by
the hand of phiioiophy, and the popular force def
royed the obitaces that otherw lie might have ar
re'ied its Ptogreis.
" II was complete, more entire than that OF
A,,,ar and cf =
ter cnnvuous in the interior of the natioiI beeaul
the Americans, fsfel with the code of civil and
criminal legi!a;ior which they had derived Tro.i.
Lng'ant, having no corrupt iyitem OF finance to re-
form, no feoda tyranues no hereditary diftintions
n" privileges of rich and powerful corporations, no
fvfem o religious intolerance to deroy had only 10
direct their attention the Establishment OF new
powers to be fu5ituted IN the place OF thol hitherto
exercfed over them by the Britih government. In
thefe Innovations there nothing that extended
to tae mas OK he people, nothing that altered TIE
fulfilling relations formed between individuals :
whereas the French revolution, for reafons exactly
the rever(e, had to embrace the whole economy OF
Getty to change every focal relation, to penetrate
TO the imailef link of the political chain, even TO
shoie individuals, who, living in peace upon their
property, or by their ndufry, Were equally uncon
He:ted with Pu5iic connections, whether by their
opinions and their occupations. by the inter etc OF
fortune, Of ambition OF Of glory.
The Americans, as they appeared only 10 CONF
bat again!t the tyranacal prejudices or The mother
country, had for allies the rival powers of England
while other nations jealous of The wealth. and d;leua
ed at the pride ofhat country, aided by their ecret
ASPIRATIONS, the triumph of juifice thus all Rurop.
Ieagued, as It were, agauf the opprefTor The
French on TIE contrary. attacked at once the deot
lin 81 kings, the political inequality of contributions
partially free, the pride and prerogatives of nobil-
iy. the domination, Intolerance, and rapacity of
priets, and the enormy Of eodal claims ftil ref
pected IN almott every ration in Europe and &C
cordingIy the powers we have mentioned united in
favour OF tyranny ard there appeared OIL the Gde
ct the Gallo revolution the voice only of fpr,e en-
iiEhtrned iages, and the tmid wifhes OF certain on
pTeiied nations fuccours, meanwhile of which all
the articles Of calumny have been employed to de-
prve it,"
01fire' .an bo,aI vj.1O effbe bro~yeG oTi5. b.na,
MINI. Il f9fbR0ioa, zV0rt M A Condoyeei esoe6 g.
Such Is the very glowing picture in which
Cpndorcet, the friend of man and the vi1i,p OF
hndeieryed profcription has pourtrayed The
Canies OF the American and ihe French revoln-
i"ns, and the Fundamental differences latween
them. Yet It was not LEFT TO Condorcet to fun
ply the lat itage nj the companion. Had thisil.
luitrious man furvived the malice of his perEs-
cu'ors. !te wou!d baYe ljke,,ife firyiyed the IL
bertv OF his country. He would Till have be.
held America fee and independent Whit the
cpprtHCd and fallen condition Of France wonld