The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-09-30


{" When the peace had fecured to America
that fovereignty and independence, for which
ff,e had 80 nobly commended, we could not re-
tire with our Atlantic friends, to enjoy cafe the
bleflings Of freedom. -
MANY of us had expended, in the fruggle
for our country's rights, that property which
would have enabled us to poffefs competence
with our liberty. On the weRern waters, the
commonwealth of Virginia poiiefied fertile,
but uniuhabted wild. In this wilderness, we
fought, after having procured liberty for our
pofterity, to provide for their fupport. Injured
10 hardihips by long warfare, we ventured in
to almoh impeneirable foreits, without bread or
domcRic cattle, we depended on the cafHal fup-
plies afforded by the chafe. Hunger was our
familiar attendant, and even our unfavory
meals were made upon the wet furface or the
earth, with the cloud deformed canopy for our
covering. Though forced to pierce the thick
ct, it was not in fafety we trod. The wild ia
wage thirtting for blood, iurked in our paths, and
ieiIed the uutuipetting hunter. Whit we Ia
mented the lois of friend, a brother father,
wife, child became viclim to the barbarian
tomahawk. Inftead Of confolation, new and
greater misfortune deadened the fenfe of former
affections. From the union we receive no fup-
port, but we impeach not your juRice. Inef-
fecsua treaties, often renewed, and as often
brokenby the Gvaee nations, ferved only to
fuppiy them with the means of our deftruStion.
But no human cauie could controul that provi-
dence which had defined this wefern country
10 be the feat of civilized and happy people.
The period of its accomplishment was diftant,
but 1t advanced with rapid and incredible ftrides.
we derived ttrength from our falls and numbers
from our loiies. The unparalleled fertility OF
our foil made grateful returns far difproportion-
ff,f hs Hckk IL =. L r e q
permit us to hetow. Our fields and herds af-
ford us not only fuficient fupport for ourfelves,
but ALTO Tor the emigrants who annually double
our numbers, ana even furplus remains for
expectation. This furplus would be far grea-
ter, did not narrow policy hut up our navi-
CATION and discourage our induftry.
in TINS mutation we call for Your attention,
we beg you to trace the Mifiiffippi from the O.
eean, furvey the innumerable rivers which wa.
ter your wettern territory, and pay their tribute
TO IT'S greatness, examine the luxuriant foil
Which thoie rivers traverfe then we ask, can
tue COO or w'idom and nature have created
mat van country in vain Was it for nothing
that he beifed it with fertility almoft incredi.
'h'e! Did he not provide thoie great farean,s
which empty into the Miff1ippi, and bv il
communicate with the Atlantic, that other na-
lions might enjoy with us the bleffines of our
fruitful ioil View the country, and you will
Sniwer for yourielvcs. But can the prefumptu.
GUS riadneis OF man imagine policy inconfif-
ent with the immenfe defgns of the Deity p
americans cannot AS it is the natural right
OF the Inhabitants of this country to navigate
'fne MiiIlhppi, 70 they have ALTO right derived
1rom treaties and national compaets BY the
treaty OF peace, concluded in the wear 1863,
between the crowns of G. Britain, France and
Spain, the free navigation of the river Mif1ilfio.
tarr t, - liz 49,.
thus aicertained was cxercifed by the fubiecfs
OF that crown until the peace of l7xs, and,
conformity with them, by the citizens of the
united States. by the treaty in which Great
BTtaIn acknowledges the independence of the
United States, ihe alto ceded to them the free
navigation of the Mfifippi. 1t was a right
naturally and efIsntially annexed to the pofIec
non OF this wefern country, as fiich it was
claimed by America, and it was upon that
principle he obtained it. Yet the court OF
Spain, who poiiefs the country at the mouth of
the Mifiifiippi, have obitru6ted your citizens in
the enjoyment of that right.
If policy is the motive which actuates DO
htica conduct, you will fupport us in this right
and thereby enable us to afliit in the fupport of
government. If you will be really our fathers,
fretch forth your hands to fave us. If Won
would be worthy guardians, defend our rights
We are member that would exert any muf-
Gle for your fervce. Do not cut us off from
your body: by every tie of confanguinity and
affection, by the remembrance of the blood
which we have mingled in the common caufe,
we conjnre you to procure our right. May
your councils be guided by wifdom and iuGiice.
and may your determinations be marked by
decifon and effect. Let not benefcence be cir.
cumicribed by the mountains which divide u.s.
But let us feel that you are really the guardians
and alIertcrs Of our rights Then you 1po,,IJ
fecure the prayers of people whole gratitude
would be as warm as their vndicatisn of their
rights will be eternal. Then our connection
thal be perpetuated to the lateft times, a tnonu.
ment Of your jufiice and terror to your enc.
mics"
" Danviile, Nov. 10, 1888.
~ dRfrCj5 ftbe Contention Of Kenfueky, to tbt
konaLLrldLs the GeneroL An..,,GAu 49,.