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

w; the only fvord by which he can hope 10
overcome his fea-girt enemy. II will bring the
opportunity of giving form and ftabii,y to his
continental acqnii'ions. 1t will untrammel his
navy from the Blockade, which at prefent
coo2s it in his ports. II will enable him
to difplay his flag upon the ocean and to
extend his conquerng arm to the Hand
OF ST. Domingo the fairef gem that ever fhone
IN the French Diadem. It's lofts has been. re-
GREETED IN proportion to its Importance /; and
Bonlparte will devote the fri moments of re-
turning peace TO its complete recovery.
Peace too will enable him 20 draw back into
his ports his fcattcred fquadrons, which are now
expqfed 10 capture on the ocean. Peace will
enable his thrice afetfionate ally TO recruit her
eShauited treafiry by the riches of Mexico an,
Peru I; which are now boarded up in S. Ameri-
CT, for the want of ftcure transportation.
But the peace of Europe will not as yet pro-
duce correspondent advantages to our/ei1,e5.
So far as it refpetts our political relations with
England, an immediate peace would not pro-
duce equal advantages with one few months
hence. Peace, it is true. Whenever it comes,
will remove the efficient fpring of difference be-
tween us and Great Britain, by Impending the
conffcation of colonial produce. But it is e.
qnai'y true, that upon this great queition de-
ponds the adiutment of claims for the produce
already conlifcated; and that this queftion, al
though it may be fufpended for the prefent, will
be revived during the nsxt war. To fettle this
conteited right therefore, in fome form or other,
feems aImof indifpentihle, whether there is
peace or war. But it is fufficiently obvious,
that the continuance of her war with France is
by far the mott favourable for our negotiation
with England.
In regard TN our differences with Spain, the
paci6eation Of Europe will produce Gill more
unfortunate refult! Florida is mof eaiily to be
purcfaied in a period Of war, becaufe war null
tiplies the pecuniary wants OF Spain & France
But it would be more difficult to purchafe it at
this. particular crfs, by reafon of the efforts
which would mot probably be made by Bona
parte for the recovery Of St. Domn. There can
be little doubt, that be could eafly acquire the
poiiefiion of Florida. 1t would therefore be.
come the rendezvous of his troops and the
thorn of the United States, ihould his attack
upon St. Domingo he productive of fuccefs.
Florida toowould beprotectedby French troops,
in cafe of any necefity which we might incur of
| attempting to conquer it for ourfeves.
| Our commerce would be deeply injured. We
ihould no longer " reap the neutral harveft %
The furplus flock of European and Indian
! goods. which we hadintendedf,r tranf,n-s alton
would be joltled out ofthe market by more fiic-
cefsfu rivals. Our own produce would have &C.
crtsto more ofthe European ports, but it would
| meet with a greater number Of rivals. The
! ports of the w. !. would be ihut upon us.---The
principal advantage, would politely arife from
the dettination of French fquadron to retake
! the Hand of st. Domingo, and the confeauent
rife IN the price of our -four.