The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-12-29
EUROPE.
The JoRoToing articles complete OR Seiecti-
onsJrom London fiaf,erS efthe 18Th Nov.
LONDON Nov 10

| VI u.
| LONDON, Nov. 10.
| Again are the Treasury Journalists csult-
ing over further proof, about tobe affor ded,
OF Ministerial Sigour and decision. The pro-
clamation, SAID to be in readiness for his ma
Jesty,s signature, declaring France, and the
Kingdoms under her controui, in state of
siege, and prohibiting all intercourse wish
her or them except directly from British
port, has already received the sanction of
their applause. But as the grounds of their
Panegyric are pretty well known, we should
not have troubled ourselves to scrutinize its
justice, were we not aware that many have
incautiously indulged in similar appreciation
without similar apology. 1t is, indeed, sur
Prlsing that the individuals on whom the in
tenqed measure OF ministers must bear with
insupportable pressure, express the utmost
satisfaction at its contemplation. The Mer-
camille Interest, as they are called, hail its
prospect with Joy as the Trojans danced round
the horse that contained their destruction. &.
ihat the proclamation in question will oc-
caslon temporary suspension of our COM
merce, is allowed by all !; whether it is final
ny Calculated to ruin our trade, cannot be
known till experience shews whether the de-
crees OF Bonaparte are able to controul the
confirmed inclmatiOns of his subjects. But
will the present circumstances of Britain adj
NIT OF her waiting the issue of this after event
notwithstanding the flattering pictures some
have lately drawn of her riches and her re-
sources, we believe general opinion COIN
cides with our own when we express a con-
Viction that she Is at present living from hand
to mouth. That her revenue is, to saw the
most, only equal to her expenditure. And
that any further diminuton of her profits
must occasion instant bankruptcy. Those
prosperous days are past when, TO adopt a
common saying, we could lay up for a rainy
day. We have no bank in reserve on which
to subsist Therefore if commerce is to be
regarded as one of the chief sources of orr
gain, stop that source but forever so short a
time, and we starve in consequence.
Many persons, however, boldly assert, that
this country is not at all dependent ON com
merce. That manufactures are no source OF
national wealth And that the annihilation
OF our foreign trade would not necessarily di-
nlinish ouri strength. On the accuracy OF
these maxims does the propriety of the vi
| gorous measure attributed to ministers solely
depend. If commerce is of no value, they
have right to disregard it in their eff ,rts
to distress rancorous enemy. But if it con-
stitutes principal mean of oar support, they
ought not tor the sake of hurting others, to
endanger the existance of the Country. d..
In expressing a decided conviction that the
ruin OF British commerce would be the ruin
of the British nation, we must guard against
being understood to advocate that marked
and exclusive attention to the wishes of the
Exchange, which has so often degraded the
measures of our government. Trade will
ever wait OH sound policy; but if politics are
regulated according to the principles of mer-
camille speculation, their result will be as
Improbable as their appearance will be UNI
dignihed. Commerce, il has been said, is a
good servant but bad master This is ex-
actly the light in which it should be viewed
AS servant it should not usurp the autho-
rity OF a master, but as a servant it should be
considered essential to the existance of tina,
authority.