The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-02-21

SoS'duon HdS oScu nitncrt0 carried by (ir
Munroe, or the afpetfs which il has fucce.Iive
ly affirmed, it is impoiIihle for us TO form an,
correct opinion on the fnbje0. IL is extrernel,
probable, however, that were the very fame
proportions repeated by our government
which have been already urged, they would
at this time command much greater refpet1
from the Britiih government, fecondeti as they
would be by the unanimous declarations o!
Conerets, and the riting fp;rit of the nation
The prefent afped of the war in Europe, too,
wonld no doubt contribute its influence in re-
calling the Britifh government to irnie of its
own njufice, and of our rights. But filoald it
ne determined to attempt new negotiation
with the Briti!h Cabinet, would il not DC bet
ter to entruit 1t to Mr.. Munroe, charged as he
would be with new powers and ce,v innructi.
ons. than to transfer the Office ard the honour
to Tome new negociator. Unlike many other
rrei'dent miniters, MIR. Munroe has not been 70
long abfent from the U. States ~ to be igno-
rant of the intercits and feelings ofhis country {;
and 1t would he a compliment due 70 his d.
plomatic talents, to confer upon him the no.
nonr of the appointment.
Should 1t be determined to attempt new
negotiation with the Britiih cabinet, another
& amuch more important queiton occurs, than
me meer choice of the nesoCiafor. Ua4!e,. sv6at
eirenm9aneeJ mall sve negoeictes Shall we pre-
11onfy determine that we will not adopt any
restrictions upon Britifh commerce, Shall we
wave that meafure, until the negotiation is
concluded keeping II by ms, as one of the re-
tources which we may afterwards employ if
we think proper: Or fhall we prevouily agree
upon the adoption of commercial rcttriaioes.
to take effect, If the negotiation fhouid far! |?
lhefrf wasthe unfortunate cnurfe purified by
the federal administration. II is "A c0urte,
which by depriving us of one of the principal
means tor enforcing our rights, is obvioully
calculated to produce the Leaf effect upon a
nation, that purfues not what is right, but
what is exbedient. The only choice can there
fore be betw en- brez'ioMs and u5jrqu NJ re.
itrlctions The fenate of the u. S. is likely to
adopt the fecond meafure hut it is on., which
according to our conception, is at no time
and much lefs at the prefent calculated to
give the greatett effect to the ncgociaton. 1t
IS better at once to afume the frmeft pof1ibe
attitude, than TO leave Great Britain any rea-
ION to believe, that we will not go all lengths
in the fupport of our rights. She may perceive
indeed from the prefent appcara ces in con-
greis and among the people, thar our refolu.
tion may mount to the higheit pitch bnt it is
better at once TO exchange prcfu nption for GER
tainty. The fligheit fufpicion entertained OF
our want OF refolution, may have its effect no.
on the negotiation. There is no kind of com.
PARTON between the influence of negociltor
approaching the throne of his Britannia ma
lefty with a treaty of indemnitication in one
hand, and a non-importafion hill in the
other, and negociator Offering his
treaty, backed by an uncertain group of evils
which dexterlty on their part and "A want of re.
iolufion on ours, may afterwards d;fipatc. Il
1t be laid, that the pride of Great-Brtain will
revolt from the threat which is indirectly held
forth, ii NAV be renIied that the p,;oI. ~,
her pride will he combatted by the principle oil
her fear which our markedndigna,ionc can fcarce
ly fail to infpire. She will fee, that whateve,
injury the meafure for redrening her grievance.
may 'mpofe upon MS, we are determined 10 rifk
them, rather than fubmit TO the iniury and in.
dignity which fhe herfelf is iniling. Had
commercial reftrttions never been propofrd ir
Congreis, the policy of adopting them previou,
to negotiation, wonld not have been 20 f;.ntihI,
enforced. Having now brought them into d;C
cuihon; having given their. 70 many tiiffi.ren,
ihapes, it would look like puflllninity to way,
them altogether.
Mfchief enough has been already done \,
the propoiition of 70 mapv fchemes. and tht
apparent want of unanimty in Conerefs. II
would have been better perhaps TO have refo
iutely adopted non-imoortGfi9r az OF In,
| mott unequivocal kind, Let us not add +,
this appearance of irrefoluton, by maxine
any iacrihce whatever to the iqueanlifh prid,
or u. Britain. If Mr.. Pitt choofes 10 prefe
| the dellcacy of his own feelings to the ohyiou
intereit or the Britifh merchants, the facr;fc,
Will not be made long. We fhan bring around
him felt of enemies and perfecutors, in his o,y,
| country, from whom he will be glad TO eE,n,
by giving up his policy or his place.