The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-01-08

this frmse6 towards Spain and thereby new
an equal temper. confident with your neutral
character towards all aggrefiing nations. What
was the afped of Spanifh affairs! Were we
not informed by the Preiident that all hone,
OF honorable and peaceful accommodation
were extinguifhed that Spain had ieized upon
our cltizens, plnndered our property, and made
inroads upon our territory Ito ufe the language
OF others) upon the dominion of the GOOD old
th'rt zen U. States: and that the protection of
our citizeus--the fpirit and honour of our coun
try required, that force fhould be INTERCEPTED in
a certain degree? A few men i'll congrefs here
upon thought that ''force to a certain deyree''
ought to be raifed to be "inferpofed for the
protection of our citizens" This neaiure was
Imported by that minority in Congress whom
we are now called upon 20 cenrarc. 1t was op
poied by men who aiferting knowledge of thu.
private wiihes of the executive, faid they knew
better how TO appreciate this meGage OF the
Prehdenf, into an application for two million
or dollars! But, Sir, we cannot make that
apology. Look to yoar journalc of the lat
year. BY your svar-re5oiution then made upon
hght OF the Prefident's mefTage you ftand
pledged in the opinion, which TIE minority en-
eertaIned, that force to repel aggreflion was ne
cefary. You did not then doubt the plain i'm
port of the mefage--but was 70 well fatisfied
that 1t fulfilled an appeal to force, that you
Were ready to pledge your fortunes, your per-
IONS, and your lives, to fupport tina. force.
What is the refult? A call for two million of
dollars The minority in Congress underfood
the Prelident's mcffage as you did; and Unfit
ed upon rafting fome little force, and we are
now grayely called upon to vote cenfure up
en that minority, becaufe the knoquiag snes in
Congreis FAY it was eafy to appreciate this re-
concentration of force into demand of dol
lara.
Thofe who are 70 anxious to ff1ield the admi-
niitratlon againf the consequences of a difIeut
which iome give to theie particular meafurca,
iEouid IN my judgment be careful 10 diitineuiih
the aHf OF the administration from this bolicy
winch fhonld be fet down to the majority of
Congrefs. The Executive announces to the ma
ton that its territory is violated; it's citizens
ieized its property plundercd; that all hopes
or peaceful and honorable retribution are va
mined, and that force to a certain extent has
become ncceiiary. --And the representatives of
the people vote money to pay the plundercr to
withhold his aggrefiionsi Is this " firm, luft
and liberal policy" viii it not juftify the Opt
mon that foreign nations are faid TO have that
TIE PeopLe IF the United SfateJ eyW NOT protea
f6eir rights BY farce Will it not give credit
TO the theory of that French Councillor who in
recommending to his government proje6f for
coiontzlng Louiliaua, removes the obftacles
which the intereft of the United States would
probably interpofe by faying, fbejs people qpW
niotEg6t; they auM send you miniRers extraor-
Aila'pj and au6ite tbe7 eyai,ing on negoci-
HfionJ, eoe/ baH bave Ieized tbe country?
But gentlemen fay the fceret meiiage of the
PRECEDENT gives different afpe9 to this affair.
indeed cannot perceive it. This meffage
iuch as we fee it publifhed, fpeaks language
tiil ftronSer than the public meiiage, upon
which the General Af1embly acted and pledged
themielVes to the opinion which they now with
to cenfure-Speaking of the affairs of Spain it
isys--" they authorize the inference that it is their
lfte SPaniardJ') intention to aazanee on our PCS
!eD'ons until they [5aH be reprsDed By an otpoE
ing fore Formal qver is not neeegary---but The
protection Of our citizens, tbe spirit and honour
ct our country require that force hould be inter
dent does not pafsionately and foofhly fay, as
another did, zuW neve,- send another ,uiniRer
30 negotIate, but concludes with temper and
s-.i1s:t ,,,r--er.
ihouid think proper TO adopt, he fhoald moff
cheerfully give his aid to carry them into exc
cutlon. But as far as am able TO underftand
the language OF the meffase, the PRECEDENT would
appear to De on the fide of the minority. He
does no where recommend the meafures that
were adopted. Spain is the only country agsinft
which he recommends an oppeEng force. while
he deems it probable that our differences with
England may be amicably adiufed. Yet mra-
lures of warlike tendancy are adopted to-
wards England, and for Spain the Dollars are
raised lnftead of an .oppeifng force. And yet
gentlemen will have this to be firm, inn
and liberal Policy! Has it bettered our ftuatl-
on 1t is true our profpeGts with England are
fomewhat changed, not by your partial non-in-
tercourfe meafure, but by change of minif-
tiers there /; and other changes in Europe.
With Spain, has your tender of Dollars prodac-
cd the delired effect? No profpeets in that
quarter are Gill gloomy. Are you certain
that the meaiures propofed by the minority
might not have had better effect (! Offer all
things for peaceful adjnftment which honor
andjuitice could demand or allow, and hold
the fword ready to af1ert and maintain your
rights, if withhold. fear it will come to this
at lalt, and we fhall have LOFT a favourable
time.
What is the conduct of Spain! It is not af.
fected by your difpofition to do juftice but by
the diipohtion of affairs elfewhere When
France, who is in relation TO this fnbieG is faid
to fand in the back grouHd, had humbled her
enemies by the battle of Marengo, Spain adj
vances upon you with proud pretenfons-.-a
new coalition in Europe abates her demands
The battle of AuRerIitZ puihes her forward
over the Sabine---another coalition agaiDR
France drives her behind that river, which
fhe IS willing to afiume as a temporary boun-
Diary. The battle of Jena is fought, and her