The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-04-18

State, relative to the Foreign Commerce of the
U. IS. with the anfwer thereto, ihould be publiih-
ed for the information of the merchants.
BY order the General Committee,
THOMAS FARMER, Chairman.
JOAN FERRERs, Secretary.
NEw-YoRK, March /, SOC.
SIR,
have the honor to addrefs You, bv direction
of committee appointed at general meeting
OF merchants in this city, on the Goth Decem-
Der.
The opinions and wifhes of the Commercial
interet of New-York, were expreiIed in their
late memorial, fince which, nothing has occur
red to change their fentments, or dmniih their
approximations.
Seniihle that foreign relations NUT be intri.
cate, and believing tbofe of the u s. to be in
volved in unufia perplexity, the merchants of
New-York have waited in 6lence, but with an
x'ety, the developement ofthofe meaflres which
the witdom of government may have devifed for
redrefs of wrongs already fufered, and pro,ec-
ton againft injuries ftill apprehended.
Even at this late hour, atho' warranted as
well by the ufage of other nations as by our re-
publican inititutions, freely to ak, and conf
IDENTIFY to expect every ufeful information, which
can be given without emharraGing the meafures
of government. they would till preferve the
fame refpe6tful Glence, if they were not other
wife impelled by motives of irrefftibe force
The ieaton approaches to commence their
mott important operations, dependent for fuc-
GELS on continuance of peace. The prefent
fagnation of bufinefs, if protracted, would not
merely diminiih their profits, but mutt di(trefs
thoie of their fellow-citizens who depend on
daily labor for daily bread. 1t mutt nure thof,.
ALTO who procure, by telling the productions of
their foil, articles of fubiitence which habit has
rendered necehary to comfortable exifence.
On the other hand, merchants and infurers NUT
he ruined ifthey adventure on calculations enen-
italy erroneous. The mechanics with whom
they are connected mutt be involved in the fame
cataitrophe. The produce of our country will
then no longer find thofe markets which gave
fPring to national induitry (; and thus our prof
perity will vanh.
Under the preflure of fuch cogent circumffan-
ces, the merchants of New-York hope it will
not be deemed impertinent, RESPECTFULLY to
f"hcit information on four diJfinf points, biebiy
interefing, and zUbicb are nozv ivq,okzed in daU
.gerous oblcurify.
Inc mutation on which we are placed with
England, claims the firft notice becaufe of her
Prodigious naval power, which, it is apprehend.
ed by tome, may be fuddenly employed TO an
initiate Our commerce. We with therefore to
he informed whether the injurious principles,
adopted by her tribunals have been reIinuuiChed
or extended :-whether the meafures devifed Inv
the wiidom OF government to obtain redrefs,
compensation, and tecurity, promie a fuccefs-
tul reiult: or whether the merchants mutt expect
more portentous events.
Rumours have prevailed refpe1ing our ReIa.
tons to the oppofte Belligerents, and of events
tending to embroil us with them, which have
alarmed the Merchants of New-York. They
are deilrous OF knowing whether thofe rumors
be idle and vain, or whether from tranfaefions
in the knowledge of Government it would he
prudent to fufpend or wholly to abandon orr
commerce with France and Spain.
There was reafon to believe that peace has
been made with Tripoli, but as no ratification
of a treaty has been officially publiihed, the
Merchants with to know whether invef,nents
tor the Mediterranean can be fafely made. or
whether they NUT provide againit the depreda.
ions of Barbary coriairs.
Finally the plumber and outrage to which
commerce is expofed in the Weft-Indies, and
even on our own COATS, render it very delirable
to know whether government contemplate en-
Ploylng Respectable naval force to reprefs thofe
predatory aggref1ions.
am directed by the Committee to difavow
all intention, or even with to pry into the e.
crets OF government, or urge the dilclofure of
meatureS which it may deem ufeful or convent
ent to conceal; more Especially TO ak anv thing
incompatible with your official obligations
With great refpect,
l have the honor to remain, fir.
Your mott ob't humble fervant,
THOMAS FARMAR,