The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-01-20
GLE GlIansrel.
RICHMOND, eofb JANUARY.
No. H..
To IRE Editor of tbe Eaqmrer,


kind of argumcrs,) mean no, to take up time
to prove again, that the grounds originally Ia
ken in fupport Of the meafures of the United
States towards England and Spain, were cor
rect; the arguments, uftd in fupport of them
in Congrefs, are before the public-But in dif-
cutting the " doubts" of this gentleman, "whe-
thcr the meaiures adopted by the laf Congrefs
defcrve the epi;hets of firm, jua and LIBERAL"
I fhall confine myfelf to reply to his obferva-
tions only:
He tells us that meafurcs of awarlike ten
dency were adopted towards England, and
for Spain the dollars are raifed initead of an
oppoGng force, and yet gentlemen will have
this to be firm, jHf and liberal poEey."--
Firif, As to England no argument is ufed to
thew, that the meafures taken, had warlike
tendency has the event verified this afIerti-
on, 70 ftrong!y inliited on, both in Congrefs and
the Senate Chamber of Virginia ? Has England
herfelf, viewed the att reftritting the importa-
ton of her manufactures, as war nneafurc !?
We have not heard that flie has. Had fhe
viewed it 70, would fhe not have told us of it,
ard have required its reCiiion, as prelimina-
~ to the farther progreis of negotiation How
could fhe tell us 70, prefuming that fbe addreif-
ed nation, as independent as herfclf, when
in the code of her own commercial laws, we
find, every page abound with her restrictions,
anal prohibitions of American manufactures /?
But the meafure towards England, the ho-
norable member tells us, was not calculated to
aid negstiation- and that the fair profpe6ts of
| amicabe adjuitment, are not due TO this mea-
fure. That this petition of his, is fupport-
ed by the lalt meiiagc of the Prelidcnt al
though, FIR, have no doubt, as fhall prefent-
| ly Thew, that the meafures purified towards
Great Britain, did produce a favorable diipo-
| ition in that government to negotiation, yet it
would be fnfficient defence of them, to thew
| what the gentleman has no where denied, that
thofe r,eaiures did not offer, any impeachment
| To negotiation. They were juft in themfelves,
and If not produet Give of permanent, and peacea-
bic adiuHment, would at leaft have the effect of
giving a check to Britiih depreciation What
| have we witrefled in confequence of the mea-
| tures of the lat FELTON, of Congrefs The
fcenes of daily depreciation and robbery, have
| vaniihed: the fources of wealth which the o.
cean opens TO the enterprise of our citizens, do
not continue to be blocked up by the cruizers
of Britain. 1t is true, that foon after thofe mea
fures were adopted. and the oppoGtion to them
ceafed, which l admit, was with the mott in
roeent Intentions, and from the mott zirtUoM
| notices, carried to mott Incorporate ex-
| IRENE in Congrefs, the foreign qvateb.dogJ
of monarchy, lurking among ms, were ready TO
cry bavoe, l admit that this fpirit of war,
reached one of the Britifh commanders, on our
coat, aud ftimulated him to commit murder
on a peaceful citizen. But what has been the
conduct Of England Has fhc fancfioned that
ipilit of war, or acted as ihe did before, (when
we had attempted no me afures againft her COM
merce) and again promoted to higher hoRors,
the infamous aggrefor on our rights ? No
He is arrelled and fubjeted to trial for his Of
| fence, and hmilar outrages have not been re-
pcated. This meafure then, the policy OF
which is doubted, has acted as effe6tually as
navy would have done. From this change in
the conduct of England, all inference irreiifta-
bly, follows, that the meafures of Congrefs in
flead of irritating to war, have promoted in the
court of ST.. James, a difpoGtion to redrefs the
| injuries America had iufained.
Strange, indeed to my mind, is the kind of
| fupport given to the policy of the minority
which the gentleman imagnes he derives from
the meiTage of the PreGdent, in which he tells
Congrefs that further fnfpenfon Of the nom
importation a6t will be calculated TO produce
f4pora5ie HlboftionS to7vardS If the Pref
dent had recommended the repeal Of that law,
then, indeed, the inference might have been
correct, but he recommends a further fufpeu.
iioD, and for the fame 1eaJOns e0bicbinducedt the
| I'M reinforcement of the operation of the law
l. this deviation from the policy of the law,
Cir? Or is it not clearly giving the finElion OF
his opinion in its favor He recommends the
purfuit Of the fame policy during the penden-
cy of the fame fate of aff'.irS.
Nor is that lels Orange argument, (GktJoagb
perhaps a little more eOqig2enf gpifb tie tone of
party,) when he tells us the policy is proved to
| be bad, becauie ifibe meaiure had produc-
ed good, the minilters, the administration
4" and the friends of this meafure, knowing it not
60 to be entirely approved, would have attach
" ed it all its credit" The administration
then, has made wonderful cicape from the
obloquy, prepared to be thrown on them by
the honourabe member. 1t would fcem, in
deed, foley from the accidental circumstances
of the debates in COngrefs, on the iuhieGt, not
then having reached his eye: and however it
may in his opinion fuhie6t, the miniRsyJ (4vbo-
ez,er tber b. and the administration +: with tbeir
frie1dJ TO his ceniure, as thus armng in his
opinion, to prepoaeIS the pubic n,;nd in
their favor, it is certain, that in the debate
in the prefent Conyrcls, on the quehion
of poAponng, further the operation Of the
law, the friends of the meafnrc, did ALERT,
in the mon poftive terms, and did reifte.
rate the allerioH, that the law had pro.
duced favorable effect, on our negotiations
wisa England. II is aIfo certain that although
the member Of Cougrcfs, whom the gentleman
calls lis rebreisHfafiVe, did take difinguilbcd
part in the debate, and followed the fpeakrrs
VINO made thoie ancrtions, that he did not
contradict them, or refufe his afTent to the
petition. If there is any thing then, in that
kind of negative argument, deduced from f.
lTncr the reference Is an uufnrtuuate ono f,,r