The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-11-18

IN the Enquirer, in the form of an editorial ar
ticle. They were fuch facts as the editor
deemed not leis important than true. But it is
memorable truth that not Jingle public
print has hitherto rc.puhlihed or mott I'd thefe
ftatements. Common juhice however fecms
to require that they fhould now be publiihed
along with the following objections of De
cius in order that both lides may he heard,
and the public be left to judge fairly between
them.
10 THE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER.
Sir,
The enclofed fleets, which contain the fc-
cond number of recius, have lain for fnrne
weeks by the author, and politely might never
have emerged from their privacy, but for fomc
late pailages in your paper. The fate Of his
f'rit efay, which, literally, "fF .RWborn fran
TIE frefJ," gave but little encouragement to
Decius 10 continue his abours, and held out
to an INDECENT temper an inducement to re-
pofe, too inviting to be reited. The work
was &C accordingly fufpended. The Grft number,
indeed, contained promifc to profecute the
fukjeet but there could be little occafon for
punctlious adherence to voluntary engage
ment, whole performance no one feemed 10
require. IT'S true that, under the pretcncc of
fulfilling their promifes 10 the public authors
do, too often, load the prefs with traih, which
ierves no other purpoie than 70 enhance the
price of paper. But Decius il no author--and
can never encounter the drudgery of writing,
but with reluctance, and even dread. He was
fenhble that the publication OF his fecond clay
would beget the neceility of third, and he
could lee no reaion why he ibouid harrafs him
ielt with writing, What few feerned djfpofed
to read. Except fome flimfy objections, which
were left to anfwer themfeIvos, the publication
appeared to have attracted the notice Of no
one. Thete however have fncc ahumed
more ferrous form, and one which demands
examination. WhiIh Decus 10 little anxious
who ihaIl arragn his o6iniony. he can never
fand indifferent, when his .tigt7J iliali be called
IN quett'on. 49,
Among the objections which have been ia
ken TO the firm eGay, it has been aedged,
that the federaliits would make a handle OF it.
and torture it to fuit their purpofes. There is
plaudailty in this abortion not lily oalcula-
ted 10 captvate weak minds: hut men of re-
lection and understanding mut at once per-
ceive that it covers too wide ground that it
iequally applicable to the official, as well a.
private language, which has been held by the
Chief magiRrate, 6nce his induction TO Office,
and tn the wilef and mon wholefome me afurcs
which have emanatej from the legiflative au-
thcrity. Have not mcn, if not all OF the pre-
hdent's communications to Co7gref5 have not
tie mott ta'utiry retorms-the repeal of the
Judiciary law, the abolition OF the internaltaxes
been tortured and twihed By the f. dcral party
to fuit their own purpofcs.
Agaiu--when the republicans came into
power, upon their virtue alone it depend
ed, whether there fhcnd exit fuch a thing
as a check upon the exercile which they
ihould make Of it. 1t is not in the genius
of federa'ifm to oppofc a6uje in govern
ment, with good will. 1t is more congenial
with her fprit 20 advocate it in her friends, and
eonnive at il in her enemies. "'Tis her 70 att
on" and fhe can never he brought heartily to
ditparage it. Accordingly W. find that the mott
deliberate reliance Of the federal leaders has
uniformly been made to the NOR wholefome
and popular reforms. Bat feting aide the
confederation, that they Uua always from. prin-
ciple, lean towards maiveTiation in Office, the
fa'iehccd, fcurri.ity, and rancour oftheir pref
fcs had jufIY Prejudiced every fnber-mindcd
man asainit their fafements Certainly no
republican could, or would, iteu to charges
againt the administration from 70 polluted
fourcc. This fluatiou OF affairs has fnhieEtrd
the preis TO fomethirg like virtual imbyi,na-
fnr. As the federal prints could not Obtain
belief, 10 the republican editors would not
publih. It evidently refcd then upon. the
vigilance and frmneis of the repnhli ans alone,
whether there flould exit any eff lent oppo.
titCn 20 UNCONSTITUTIONAL, or other iniuriou,
meaiures, ~ cafe iuch ihould be pTopuied. ri
they poiIehed not virtue and courage enough
to with6and fuch attempts, 10y whomfoevcr
made) il is plaiT that no eGettull refftance
could be oppof-J to them. Whas then ?--Is
The prefeut administration p,rfeSt , AmidR
the various agents, fupreme and fubordinate
III The executive department, has there been,
or can there be, no wrong committed? Grant
them any thing mort Of papal infti'iJi'iiy--it
hecame necedsry, when they did err, in
the opinion of thofe through whole active ex.
eri'cY they were brought into power, and
vbofc cbaratlsrs were Implicated in their mif
ccndCt, tha. thofc crrors ihoud be freely and
pror pity expofod. Silence, in foch cafe, Is
equivalent 10 4 fanttion of he meaftre in queC
Ton. Theie are principles equally rational, and
ut for Americans 80 ad upon.
Let us now examine the imPoRTANT
FhETs' Rated ia the Enquirer Of the z4th oil
CH. dft.
-. The explanation Of Dscius is not g" in
correct" IN the " two material points" therein
ns.iioned. II Is true that our miniRers pro
Tricj 10 iurrcnder our claims for fpoatiors,"
u re tcnie intended and expreGed by Dccius.
tnotng "ihat they were nRrutted 20 make
rc ttcaty in ~hlch irofe Spaui1, claims were
not provided ior," yet, h their ultimate paw.
"a o.. a.. - sr ~. .rftr..,I L., e f..L:..t