The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-09-26

WAR wLrH AMrpIcA

WdR WITH AldERICd. ,,.
From the Continept Of Europe the attention or ,hi,
country has been diverted to that Of America by an
event which cannot be too much regretted an ash
on between an American and Br,ilh frigate as ".
noticed in our laf, in which everal men were killed
This a6 OF hoay originated in an attempt to learch
the American frigate, which was refifled. IL is
hardly politely TO defcribe the conformation the 6r
intelligence of this even, oeeaioned amonga mercau-
tile men, who contemplate the bare pofihiity of an
American War with horror, ye, the Mihinerial pa
fers, with diaboiea! phrenzy, have icrupled to
congratulate the public the probability os iueh a
ruinous event taking place. If at any period it was
The intereh OF commercial country to enlarge IFS
yttem OF warfare, which has generally if no, al.
ways, ruined the caule i, proielfsd to f,rve, we
think the preent time of all others the MOE inau-
ipacious. We iiucere!y hope that we fhall no, re
plunged into cc,me OF unmcaning hoti!:ties with j
nation which, for Il years has been profi,n. but
tent ipe9atreis Of the couvuifons which have ccor-
pied the attention of Europe: and in whole profpe-
rity greatly inserefed. Seven n.lions of our
annrai exports have their market IN America and
though nine ten,hs Of the Of Amer, ca may
depend on her external commerce and its ,onfeouen,
dmnDton would become certain from rupture v ith
England, yet the disadvantages of i CONTEXT would
prepondera,e sgainR us. While na have been aug
nenting public burdens America has been chang
jug her internal economy, and widening the fourees
oil her commercial PROPERTY. Our Weii-Inda colo.
nieS,rould become materially injured by war, the
Atlantic would TEEN with innumerable cruiyers 10
the great annoyance Of trade, and to the ruin of
cur manufactures. Our government ought no, to
forget that ieveral of the powers which we alfume
upon the ocean, fuch thoie of fearching neural
ihips allowing difalowing various BRANCHES of
neutral trade, are iueh occahon flight irter-
ruption, morti6e alton and LOT, to the Americans
and undoubtedly theie aas, neeeGary for our inter
cts, ought TO be attended with as oonciiatory Lam
guage aud manner pollible. There is good evil
denoe, however believe that the CONTRARY is the
cafe, and tha, they are Frequently attended with cir
eunfances OF Guided uiuIt and opprei!icn For this
the temper Of officers, and failors in many ref
pe6s 70 admirable, i: chiefly TO blanie but it has not
hitherto been efficiently the care of government, by
expTes and PeremploTy injunecas, to guard againii
this ir,polltic ccnduS.
At late hour lat nigh, we received Charleaon
papers To the oh alt inclu(ive Their colomns arr
filed with the details Of the unhappy recon,re be.
tween the Leopard and Chesapeake, and the refolu
tons of meetings held in various parts OF the u States
in coniequence Of that unfortunate affair. Our limit.
will not allow their inlertion, but the iubnanee OF
them is, expreis the horror and indignation excit.
ed by the occaiioDa determination to Tupport with
life and property the Government, in obtaining fat
isiaelioSto prevent all intercourse with Brtiih flps
oil war-to refuie all iupPes-to invite the pilots to
reiuie their ailifance towards conducting any fuch
fhips Of war into their harbors-and to hold as na-
nous all who volate thee revolutions or refufe co
operator--At Norfolk the conduct of the Citizens OF
Hampton, who deGroyed the water eafls belonging
to the Britih frigate Meampus, was voted highly
laudable and pra;fe-worthy. The meetings it is iaij
have been conduaed with grea, temper and moder.
Jation, coniidering the circumstances under which
they met The men taken from on board the Chefa-
peake, are fad to be native Americans, and II o.
TIERS are reported be detained board the Bco-
ma, ihip belonging TO the fame fGuadrion. The
volunteer companies throughout the Union are ten.
Gerine their fervices 10 Government. The Norfolk
paper Gaes that the irritation Of the public mind, FAT
from moderating appears daily to encrea!e an officer
from the Leopard had the teni:rty toventure orc
the people ineenced broke into the houe uhere 10 had
taken refuge, ard about proceed to acts of vo-
l.nce when capt Decatur of the Chelapeake arrived *
With great difficulty refrued him-he was alterward,
put on board boat, with guard of folders, and
conveyed to the Nip. 1t was reported tina, threat:
had been. thrown out, that the Britilh fquadror
would obtain ffply of water by force -Preparati-
made by the people to reGa the attempt.
BuGnefs in Norfolk was entirely a iiand--a party
d.Rinaions fst aiie, and every MAJ llood pre-.
pared TO re!ia lur,her aggrefions.