The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-05-22
CITE Gngulrer.
RIG ND, eeud Mar.

Some notice has been taken in our public
prints, of the choice of our next PRECEDENT.
Thefe papers prefume that Mr.. Jefferfon will
decline reelection and their firlt enquiry is,
who lhall be his fuccefIor
writer in the republican paper of Charlef-
ton, has publifhed lit of fuch candidates, as
he coniiders entitled to the Proficiency and
Vice Proficiency of the u. States. This lift is
profeledly made upon the principle of excIud-
ing any Virginians from thefe important of
fees. This lift embraces, George Clinton, the
preient Vce.Prefdent of the U. Safes; X. r..
Livingston, late minfter to France Charles
Plnckney, late miniler to Spain and prefsnt
governor of S. Carolina general Smith of
Maryland, and general Sumpter of S. c. two
brave revolutionary officers Mr.. Bowdon, the
prefcnt minilter at Madrid MIR. Sullivan, the
elected governor of Man'lchufetts; and MIR.
| Macon, the fpeaker of the late Houle of Re-
PrefentatveS of the u. S.
We fha not fubject this lift to the crucible
OF experiment. Many of the perfons whom it
contains are an honour tn their country and TO
human nature. But i, mutt be at the fame
time confclled, that there are fome who, at the
tift glance mutt obviouily appear unworthy of
the high Office of Prelident. Among thefe
latt, we do not helitate TO name k. r. Living
| Ron, late miniiter to France.
We hould have regarded thefc lifts and re.
marks with the mott perfect indifference, if
they were not accompanied by few Liberal
ttrciures upon Virginia. 1t has been infinnat.
ed, though not directly avo@ed, that fbe
was 10 ambitious OF introducing another of her
ions ihto the Presidential chair, that fbe would
oPPoie the nomination of the citizens of anv
other rate, however recommended by their IA.
Tents or their ftrvices.
libel OF this tort could have proceeded from
ihole only, who are itrangers to our Character.
Such as know us better, would have done erea
Ter Juttice to our patriotifm. They know
that II is the Iaft with of Virginia to adopt anv
meaiure, which may weaken the federal union
and that on the contrary, it is her fuoreme
dehre to maintain that union unbroken, and of
courie, that friendlinefs of feelings, which is
efentiAl to its duration. They well know.
that Virginia is even ready to facrfce her own
nterefts, when fuch,an expedent is necef1arv
TO brighten the chain of union.
So far as refPetts the next election of Pre-
fdent, fhe wifhes the views of her NOT en-
iightened and influential patriots to be diftin6
w undcritood. Thefe views may be conf
IDENTIFY pronounced TO be in rnifon with thofe
OF majority of her citzens.-She is fatisfed
with the honors with which illc has been al.
ready crowned by the ether flates.-Two out
of the three Prefidents, were more than
iufiicient to crafty her highea ambition.
one is Wiling TO ielect candidate from the
| other ftates if fhe can but obtain fuch a one
as is calculated for the high office to which he
is defined. Nay, fhe would rather have Pre-
tident from her filter Gates. All that Ilc WITH
es Tor, is, that the candidate 70 feletted, NAV
be well qualified for his Office as much 70, or
nearly as mu"h 70, in the mott material points,
as the mott diitingufhed of her own citizens,
When the republicans of the other ftates fl,al
have ieleeted fuch man as this lhe will then
manfeit not lefs promptuude than ihe feels
an anxiety to- refute that ridiculous iealouCv.
which would now accufe her of fefiiiI ambiti-
on.
tits necefary from the indignities which we
have lately received from the CambrianIat Nor
folk & the Driver at Char!efton; for our country
to make an inveftigation into the policy which
has been hitherto adopted on this fubied. Our
principal refource agsinit fuch dinurbers of our
peace is IN law of Congrefs 1905, ITO pro-
teet the ports and harbours Of the u. States and
to preterve peace in the waters within their
jurifdttion." Us this law fuficieut for the pur-
pofes for which it was intended or are there
reIaxatous in it which ought to be frightened I;
and other provlons which ought to he incor.
poraied with it As to keeping law like a
" dead letter" upon the fatUte-bsok, it is but
dhgrace to the country which adopt. fuch an
abortive legiflatiou.
Il is rot our intention TO enter at large into
the principles of this futjea. The importanc.
of more urgent svocations compels us to way-
.