The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-12-09
Gbe Gnqulrer.
RICHMOND, 9th DECEMBER.
COMMUNICATION.

COMMUNICATION.
1t has circulated among fome of the members
Of the Virginia legislature, that a refolution will
DC brought before them, to cxprefs their undi-
ninifhed confidence in Mr.. Jefferfon, and to
.eg1re tie proceedings of the Republican minority
IF tie laR CongrejJ. So far as the frft branch
,f the reiolution extends; it NUT obtain the cor
dial cooperation of every friend of the admi-
filtration: but to the latterpart of the motion,
here are many who would deem it unnecefia-
y and injurious.
1t would be right for the Legislature TO ex-
orefs their confidence in the administration of
Mr.. Jaferjon
Becaufe, fnee the lait felton, of the Legirla-
ture, that administration has been attacked
by new Eet Of men, and upon nezv
grounds.
Becaufe the fame rcafons which iuRified the
addreis of lait winter, as fronely recon-
mend it at the prefent crifis. Our rela-
tons with Europe are not yet adiuaed.
England has not yet done us iuftice and
Spain while I,e has prefIed" the war
on our wcftcrn frontier" has only pro-
tracted the negotiation" elfewhere. In
this attitude of things it is right that the
determined fpirt of the country fhould
rife from every commanding quarter, in
fupport OF our caufe, and of the admiuir-
tration which conducts it. 1t is right,
bccautr in republican governments the
fentiments of the people will always pro-
duce greater or lefs effect upon the con-
duct of their fervants foreign nations
know and confult this barometer and
therefore fhou'd the natural determination
orefit their injulice always be Efficiently
manteited to foreign nations. Among
the other organs however for announcing
this tone of public fentiment, the Legilla-
ture OF Virginia holds not the Leaf refpcSta-
bic or commanding place.
But to extend this rcfolution into any Ger.
lure upon the republican minority, appears 10
me perfectly unuecef1ary ultimately uniuf, as
the puni!hment, which it inHicts, may equally
ltrike the innocent as the guilty and becelfe
thiss not the enlightened & polite courfr to be
purfreo; by the republican party in the prefcnt
pofure of affairs.
1t is nnnecsGary, becaufe it is f4perfnsus. The
confidence which the rcfoIution exprcGes in
the administration, is a fufiicient cenfure upon
the men, who have attacked it. When it is
known to the world, thtt the Virginia Legif-
lature, in fpite of all the Gri6tures which have
been lately pafled upon the administration, are
yet nnihaken in their opinion of it's integrity,
ITS irmneis, and its talents, what ftronger iluf-
tration could be required OF the little effect
which the OppoGit;on have made upon them |?
1t may prove unjxf, becaufe it is not pofiibic
to ditingniih the innocent from the guilty.
Grant that MIR. Randolph deferves to be ccz-
iured for thus attacking the adminiRrati-
on, does it therefore follow that every republi-
can member who voted auth him dcferves a
hnilar fate Is it certain that they too would
have oppofed and attacked the administration ?
Mr.. Randolph was open in his hoitility: he
cid not quietly repofe upon the foft cuihion OF
his representative ration, as they did: he fpoke
as well as voted. Jnftcad of a implc Tea, or
Nay, he delivered long and elaborate fpeeches
But by what means is their fympathy with Mr.
RS. attack upon the administration to he afcer-
tanned Not by their votes: becaufe thefe
votes were pronounced as TO our foreign
relations and becauGe many man ha.
contcientiouny differed upon them, whole
confidence in MIR. Jefferion was equally unha
ken. Caius may conceive that it is Bonaparte'
deiign to invade and coionile this country: CAT
has may entertain lefs alarming opinion o
his policy and his interelt. The one may fup
pole non-importaton law, calculated only
to provoke the refentment of Great Britain
the other may conceive tucb meafurc to be
the only expedicnt for bringing her TO her fen
fes. Thefe men may therefore confcientiouny
differ about the policy, which we ihoud pur
fue towards Great Britain and Spain and YET
beth may be Republicans both ma, have tht
fullelt confidence in the virtues and talents Of
Mr.. Jeffcrfon.
Thisis not the proper courGe to be purified
The true policy is that of Cancellation. Wher
we confder that the federal party are now
humbled into duft and ailes :" that they ar,
impotent by themfelves that they can only de
rive confidence snd Rrength from republican
fchiims; and that pradiiing upon the fubtl:
maxim oftyrants, they NUT divide and conquer
it Il, lmpoilible to fupprefs the with that theft
fchifms lhoud never BURT forth, or that the,
ihou'd always be healed as foon as pofTible
where they do not emanate from any materia
difference OF principle. Of fome of the member
OF the republican minority, it is not even known
that their confidence in the administration is i'm
paired. Cven Mr.. Randolph himfclf has moi
avowed decided oppolition to Mr.. Jeferfon
With MIR. Madfon and Mr.. Granger ht
holds no terms at all but il 10 difficult e
believe him the decided opponent of MIR. JEFF
feriou. Decius has fpoken of "the HuGrion
character by whom" (our government (" wa
administered" and the world have not for A mo
ment helitated in afcrbing the el1ays of Deciu
to the pea of Mr.. K. Does It not then becom,
the friends Of the administration, to rch for :
time upon their oars uutil they have once
more feen Mr.. K. and his Co-yoters, on the pub
lie theatre where they now ftand to adopt NJ
eZpcdicnt, which is calculated TO widen tht
breach TO do nothing Of themrelves, but leay,
ii TO them to aG ? They have their own dcnin,
in their own hands and ifthey fall, let their ru
in be upon their own heads
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