The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-07-17
Gbe Gnqulrer.
ICHM ND, 17tb FUR.
FOR THE ENQUIRER,

the King, and not TO the nation.
There are occa6ons, when it becomes the
duty, as well as the interef of the people, to
render individual and voluntary fervice to their
country. In fuch cafe, the caufe is common,
and the fervice is ef1entially rendered to them
felves. 1t is likely that there was never time,
or an occaGon, when the inducements were
greater than now exit in the United States,
or when general confentaneous effort, would
render 70 much public good, as at the moment
when this is written. This will be preiently
feen.
The rulers of Great Britain, fpeaking the Ian
guage of the King, and enforcing his COM
mands, have long caufed depradations and ag-
grefiions of various descriptions, to be commit
ted upon the privileges, property and perfons
of the United Americans Thefe things have
produced remembrance and complaint, but they
have not produced redrefs, for the paft nor Ia
tisfaetory ai1urances for the future 70 far from
it, the mott glaring violations are fucceeded by
others, equally obnoxious, and the Immediate
agents or authors of thofe violations, nftead
ct puniihment, receive applsufe and promote
on not content with this, other arong induce
ments are offered to the offenders disbursements,
to proceed in the courfe of cnequty, iRfult and
oppreflion.
Stimulated by fuch examples, other comman.
ders, holding the highelt ftations in the Britifh
naval eftabliihment, have waged war upon the
United States, at the moment when their rulers
offered to our minifters, the deceptious lures
of falfe friendfhip and n6dious courteouinefs
If the authors of the firft offences, had receiv-
ed adequate punifliment, fncceeding offences
would not have been committed but initead
of this, the Britiah captains have been taught to
believe that, to infult the American flag, to
plumber an American fhip, or to kill an Anne
rir Csfs e
vor and public promotion and deftinction.
The cafe of Wbitby, lisa cafe in point.
Whether therefore, we confider the late and
future aggreifions, as the effects of pofitive or
implied orders, emanating from the rulers, or
as the natural consequences of the promotion
of Whitby, and othsrs of a like defcription,
fill the conclufion will be the fame. The great
eft offenders, have heretofore received the great
eft rewards. An emulation has been thereby
excited in the Rritiih Navy. and every occaG-
on will be adopted of obtaining royal munih-
ceDce and favor.
Thefe things demonarate that the conduit
of the Britfh feet at Norfolk, aud in the neigh
borhood, hasits authority pofitively or impi-
eddy from the Bri,ifh King and altho' the ac-
credited minifer Erfkine, has percmptorily de-
clared, that thefc crimes and offences are nei-
Their authorized, nor will be fanetiied by the
government, yet Douglas and Humphrey IS
will laugh at the interference of Mr.. Erikine {;
they will tell him, that George the third is his
matter, as well as theirs that he is the fou n
tain of power, as well as honor, and that the
murder of an American, is not only the fureft
way TO his affections, but the mott ready courCe
to royal favor and reward.
Thefe few and plain obfervatons, are de-
iigned TO thew that no confidence can or ought
to be placed in the afIurances or aiTertons of the
mil He IL n he &c e.. O..
1t requires but moment to difmifs him from
the honorable fatiou which he fills nor ought
more credit be given to Commodore Douglas,
or TO Admiral Berkeley. The Britiih feet will
afford hundreds of equal dfinction, who will
be glad to take their places, aud perform thoIe
deeds towards the United States which, mot
withdrawing public orders to the contrary
will meet the royal pleafure. This Fate OF
things clearly Demonstrates, that the United
States are at war with Great Britain, notwith-
! Handing their BiDifers and iervants, both in
England and in the United States Unfit upon it,
that there is no war that war is not intend
ed, and that the friendly relations between the
two countries, fha be not only renovated but
ftrengthencd.
We'll then, IF var exits, if the temporary
fufPenlion proceeds from lome fytem Of ftate
policy, which cannot yet be underftood, if the
weaksefS OF their force impofes upon them, a
temporary forbearance or inactivity flould
any one prefUme, that there is change in the
fentiments of the King IF he was rancorous
and hottie towards the Americans, while we
endesvored TO foothe and court bis fmiles,
while there was reafon to believe, that in the
United States, he had many friends and advo-
Gates, Is IL likely, when every voice, every pen,
| and every preis, proclaim his iniufice, and
route the people to oppoition and to arms,
that he will, from fuch caufes, become kind
and copciliating? The whole courfe of his
life may be referredto. That couffs will Thew