The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-06-27
NDe enquirer.
r Ugh M @ " d, 27tb Juwz.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

Rs,ltai0n5 relating TO tie ngg,nDions Of G. 3.
or the commercial and maritime rights of tie
u. States.
The public fervor was fcarcely alayed for
the infuits and Injuries received from the Bfi-
,ih Capt. Whitby-tbe death of Pearce was
fill uRattoned, when the letter of Capt. Love,
at Charletton again defervediy excited much
attention, and became the occalion of many
remarks, both in public prints, and private
circles; nor was there an American whole foul
is capable of being animated with proper fenti-
ments for the honour OF his country, who
could fail TO feel an irreiiftibe BURT of indig-
nation, as well at the lyle, as at the Object
which were acknowledged by the writer.
Such feclngs as theie might furely excite a
great dealo of merited cenfure, and Capt. Love
might be portrayed in terms of vindlttive de-
traction But of what avail would be the fe-
veref centuries towards this humble iuitrument
Of wicked matters? Capt. Love is no more
than one of many authorized agents, in the par
tial execution of greatlnfulting tyranncal and
opprefvc fyfem, which tho it may fometimes
lumber never lleeps. II is the fame fyftem
which was aferted, at Copenhagen by Mellon,
at CoDfantinople, by Duckworth, and, no
doubt, forms part of the education and orders
of every Britiih naval commander. 1t is fyC-
tenn OF injultce and ufurpaton upon the
oCChil, w OppOilliOh ~ tnS SQudUtY or COM
mercial rights, and in violation of the iult
claims and Reasonable privileges of all other ma.
tions.
while temperate and pacific men were en-
deavouring to find executes and palliatives for
the conduct of the Captains Whitby and Love,
and the public indignation was about to fub-
lide, while we were llattered with the allure
ments of peace and reconciliation, another more
aggravated iDftance of wanton and unproyoked
injury and infult has been offered even to our
own f1ag--Even our National Indebenleney /,
inJiilfel!!
War it is true, is not declared, but it is wag.
ed. Our Figate Chefapcake, iuft upon our
own COAT has been attacked without provoca.
ton, or notice, by hyperion force, and has been
compelled TO .frike our flag and quiGhin our ozvs
maritime .jwrjldiGion. This attrocious deed
has been perPetrated by Capt. Humphreys oil
the fhip Leopard. And for what Becauft
Commodore Barron of the Chelapeake had re-
fnfed to allow iearch to be made by BritIl
officers for Brtiih fubiecis. This being refu[ed
Humphreys without furtherceremnoy commenc
ed an attack & did not defif until the Commo
dore was wounded, many OF the feamen killed &
diiabied, and the hip greatly injured. Thus il
has happened, that the public nterefts of thi,
country have been obltru6ted, our fellow citi
gems killed, our ihp difabled, our Gag infulted
and our independency invaded.
No American who has ever felt or can fee
| the natural glow which is excited by love al
country, will after this location REQUIRE further
exciiements to demand juit and immediate at.
| ionement. Are not thefe accumulated iniurie,
and lnfplis too great for excufes or paIliatives
We can have, we ought to have nut one feel
ING, we ought TO acknowledge bot one fenti.
neuf The queftion OF national independence
| as well As hOuOr are now to be conlidered, and
u there be any who are capable of abiuring tine
jnls incentatiVes OF either, let them 90 hence,
let them abdcate that country which has been
purchaied by the blood of Heroes and Patriots
let them claim protection, and feok habitations
among thofe who profane the attributes of bu.
m1nIty, jutice, and civilization But WIN
make this apofrophe? there can be none, no
not one, 70 degraded in his own mind, or 70
unchsritable as TO others, who can dotIb,
that, upon this queRios, all Americ ans will
have but oae IoW!!i