The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-03-07

IN the hr;t re!oution, and therefore unneceta.
~ 70 be thus exprviied in the iecond and if it
is not intended to operate rs an initru6tion to
the PRECEDENT, why is il 70 anxiousIy retained in
the refn'ution? can fee no other reafon for
This, un,cis it is intended as declaration of the
Senate, 4 iolcyun pledge to- he uied on iome fu.
ture occa!ion, by the merchants, whole proper
~ has been thus condemned, to thew that we
are boand to obtain rcltitution for them from
the Bri.ih government, or TO compentate them
ourieveS. How far this may be right is not now
for me to FAY. 1t is fuhi> q not now before
The Senate, and thiik it too foon 70 make the
declaration. Nor do ] like to fee fuch mea
iure obtain in our refolutions by fealth as it
were; unnoticed, becaule obfcured by the
brighter blaze of more important ohiects. In
fnpport of the words " demand ndinfR," an
extract mas been read from letter of the Pref
dent hirnfSlf to his minifter abroad, in which he
ufcs the fame words. But is there no difference
between the Pre6dent's acting officially, giving
inftrufions to his miniaer where it is necctiary
and proper he fhond enter into the details s
our merely expecting gn abhra6t opinien upon
great principle before it officially comes be-
fore us. The PRECEDENT in uiing thefe words
does it with the ftrittea propriety; and truft
whsa he inftruets miniiter agresabIy to the
requef contained in this refo!ution, that he will
make ufe Of language equally ftrong. He ihal
meet with my hearty appreciation, nor is there
any length in my power that will not cheer
fully go to fupport him. Yet hill am unwil-
ling to tie him down to a particular point, or
toexpreis an opinion in detail upon the fubjeet
or treaty, which if made mutt finally be laid
before the Senate for their approbation.-Let
TIC remembered that in the irR refolution we
nave io'ennly pledged ourfrivss to- principle
OF right; we are 70 far bonnd as the reprefen-
tatises OF the ration TO defend this right to our
citizensi or to obtain an equivalent. This
ought to fatisfy all.--In this fecond refolution
we requeft of the PRECEDENT to obtain for us the
free exerciie of this right by treaty. Let MS
then confite to him the broad field of neeocia-
ton; Vet us not cramp him. Our rights are
fecure in the hands of the contributed authori-
tics; Mould he fail of fuccefs, we all know the
coniequence; the next and laft alternative is
~ war; to thiswe all ftand folemnly pledged, s.
when it comes to this, I truf there will be no
. difference OF opinion. Peace is the firft wifi, OF
cur hearts; 1t is the foul Of our government
But the mani who would not prefer war to op-
= PreiiIon, to diihonor and infamy, is not an a.
.merican. One word more, Mr.. Prefident, and
have done-it has been conceded that unani-
nifty OF tcntiment and vote is de(irable on this
fubje6t. IF then gentlemen are in earneft when
they FAY thoie exceptionable words, mean no
more than what is contained in the firif refo,r.
ton and convey no fpecial intruction 10 the
Prehdent, can they not change them for others
equally frong as to the principle, and that will
meet the appreciation of al--why not ftrike
them OUT, and in lieu of them rcqueit the Pref
dent to enter into arrangements agreeable to or
IN conformity tothe frt refolution fome fuch
alteration as this would certainly retain the
whole idea avowed by the advocates of the pre-
TENT refolution, and as the fpecial direction and
rettrietion would be left out, itwould meet with
my concurrence-To obtain fome fuch altera.
ton IN words that will be agreeable to all is the
object have in voting for the commitment, &
as one day cannot materially afea us, hope
we will be INDUCED.
he motion to commit the refolution was
loft by a fmall majority.
+ ITO be continued.