The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-07-24
REYNOLDS CHAPMAN, Secretary.

REYNOLDS CHAIRMAN, Secretary.
The citizens OF the county of Cumberland, net
together for the purpofe of taking under con-
liberation the late Righteous attack maFe
by the Britiih fqnadron on the United StatSs'
frigate Chefapeake, have examined the sub
jet with all the temper which the occaiion
will allow. They have been able, howevet,
to dfCovcr nothing i'm it hut evidences of the
infolenCe, msiisnity, treachery, ani waut,n,
cxercife of iaw!ets power. which have mi
formly, though not on all occsfons, &, clear
ly marked the rcourfe of the Britih go
vernmeut with the government aud people or
the U. States.
In conlidering this outrage, they have exam
med Pat occurrences "a fee if any thing ther.-
IN might be found, which, from the goodrefs
or ITS character, ccuG paiiiate the gniit OF the
prefent, or difiugaiil, it as the rain act of IN
terror agents, or of individuals unauthorized by
tnc government. Bat they have examined IN
vain. In reviewing the paf intercourfe be-
tween the Un.cd States and Grea. Britain, they
have feca on the part OF the former, the mot
icrupulous fidelity obfsrved in the practice Of
tho!e principles of fr;endhp, which as peace
ful and neutral nation, were avowed towards
the latter and the like good faith in the exc
cution of thofe Populations, of treaties, which
IN their operation were moa dearuttve Of our
anu III tnciT nature Inon OBNOXIOUS to
our feelings.
While on the part Of the latter. eyery cor.
Responding duty and obligation have been ne
elected or violated. She hath failed - obierv.
the Populations of the mott fUemn treaties;
HE hath aniwered our peaceful remonfffances
for redrets of injuries with new POPULATIONS, add
again discharged thcfr by new agereifiun,
while in true character the debt of our wrongs
by her is never paid, but the lit of our ;,inries
Inc reaied with nitaDces of her perGdy. Her
honor pledged, has been fake OF trcachA.y
aud deception; Der ntercourfe the Ingenious
practice OF inio!ence, violence and injury In
times of avowed peace, ihe hath pratticed ti..
means OF war +; veSed our commerce with az
oitrary aud unJUf limitations and rehrittinns
Plundered our property, feized upon our citi-
zens; and carried them into fervile bondage
on board her Hips OF war and that no colour
mould be waiting to comrlrat the dark mali
nifty and treachrry Ok her character, me aat;. 4
the momeHt, wiIen by loft words ard forrus E
civiIity TO our miuIfters, fhe appeared d-i7rcrs
OF turning away the wrath rhi1h her pat ,,-ea-
css hath kinded, ordered her armed vtiTtssa
come home to our doDrs, s-d in the ycr. en-
joyment of the hofPitaIity Of 6Yr lloTee, asnr-
dered our people md inflItcd our ns5iana' Co
vereignty and independence. Ibalait act cg0-
| not be regarded bur as part of fyhen of h.t-
tility, which the Bfitiih government under L..
| mark OF friendt'ip, hath for a long time pait
pratiited againh the intereft and independence
| of the government of the U. States, and AZ
combining proportion that the independence
of the U. States NUT be molly nonina! or
| maintained by battle. This meeting cannot, as
far as dcpen,s IN them, hefitate a moment I'm
cloiing with HE latter alternative. Thetcfofe,
RGloIyed m0AimonRy, as the opinion OF this
| meeting, that every effort ihould be ufed TO
| ayenge the aforeftid abominable outrage. That
all intercourse with the futjeets and govern
| ment of @. Britain ihoeiJ be rcfufed and every
means of injury towards the latter praeiifed,
until redreis is Ubtlined, and until we have az
! furnaces that her Ripulations with us, and our
rights and independence as nation, viii be
| obieryed and refPetled by her with better faith
| than heretofore.
Re'oived mani0isnly, That the maintenance
| OF our rights and independence i1vioIaie, is an
obIeet dearer To our hearts than peace with
out them there Can be no peace we therefore,
| expect the government Of the United States will
| prefer ut war to iDglorOus peace. that war rs
jult which ISL defence of uatiou'- rights, that
peace inglorous in which nations ndepeBd-
e1ce is loft.
Rej0IVtd, manimoglg, That we Join the citi-
gems OF Norfok k, Richmond, and other places,
IN like holy pledge of our lives, fortunes, and
| hcred honour, which they have rendered to
iupport the government OF the UHiteI States
IN the meaiures 1t may adopt to agengc ur
wrongs, and to defend and ALERT oar national
rights and independence.
Rei5iVrd, manimoaRv, That copy of the
foregoing rcfolulions and preamble be forward.
ed by the Chairman to the Executive Of this
fate. and 10 the oreGJ-nf &c ,h. TY,.;,.4 Co.