The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-09-26
LONDON, AuguG Q.


ing articles:
LONDON, AuguG o.
The difputc with America fands precifeIy
ts 1t was. We have given fome articles from
the American papers, from which our readers
VIII perceive great deal of acrir1ony and vu-
gar ipite againt this country. The people of
Norfolk are not proverbial for cvility, and when
At all thwarted or put out of temper, they have
ihrewiih and vixen Ike way of conduGinp an
argument which favours of any thing but good
brecdins.-The truth is, the circumstances of
the ohPu:c are very inaccurately known. The
oaths OF the American captains are not worth
itraw, and Mr. Jefferfon is too fagacious to
mitake the noie OF the rabble for the deliberate
voice ct the ccuntry. The right of f.arch is
rendered extremely doubtful, on account of the
variety otcircumtauces under which it is to be
eXefciied, and which, according to their differ
ent qualities and combinations, will either
make the exercife of this right harl, or neceifa.
ty' Jait or unJn!t general right of fesrch is
plainly againit the Law Of Nations. The par
ticular cafe muit be determined by difcretion
1t mum be chofen out of the circumstances which
preient themftlves. What is the confeouence !,
L on are, IN great meaiure, at the mercy of the
particular prudence of your captains You Law
down A general rule, but the perpetually occur
ing exceptions you mutt neceilarilv truf to
them.
1ou have no right to fearch hip of war;
becauie that !earch would lead to a knowledge
OF circumstances and an expofure which you
cap have no right to obtain. You may fearch
merchantmen on probable fufpicion becaufe
tuch iearch can be attended with no fuch expo
lure. You have TO right to follow a deferter
FOR the PurPoie of experimenting him in neu-
trai territory; becaute, though by the particu-
lar deiertlon, you incur ofs, yet the general
rule, which protects as invioate the territory
OF every tree tate, is faved by denying you
this privilege. But if they feduce your men,
there is no doubt but you may reclaim him
the right is given them for their own defence,
net TOR Your injury and they cannot maintain
It IN Its principle, whif they exercife it only in
It's abufc.
Such is the true Fate of the argument-whst
then is the inference? Why, it mutt depend
upon the Preciie fate of the particular circum-
itances, and lIkfwiie upon the manner in which
we Claimed redrefs for the prefumed injury,
and the manner in which the Americans refufed
Il. If the Preluoiption OF the deierters having
taken lheter in an American ihip of war were
merely fight, it would have been prudent in
other words, we ihould have had no right 10
make fuis about it. 1t would have been our
duty to lharpen our vigilance in preventing fu-
ture defsrtions.
- '"S S'iuSHSS HHu pccH pfODdOic or pOnttVe,
application fhouid have been made to the Amc-
rcan government, and if they refuled to reiiorc
the men, or make compensation, it was iuit z.
ground of hoti:lty. The attempt to recover
the men by force was fcarcey jufifiable bu. up
on declaration of War Ii is IN truth notk-
ing ellie but War. 1t proceeds on fuppofit.
on that redrefs had been foIemnIy refnied by
the American government. and that there was
no choice left but Of force.--Il took the css,.
Immediately IRON the hope of adult meat and
compromi!e, and proccededin the fame man
ner as If hoitiiites had beer actually declared
1t is nothing to fay ihdt our captain was iuftfi-
ed becauie he found the men where he fufpeef- 4
ed them 20 We. Tins julii:s his fufpicion, but
not his act.
Ii is again argued. that If cagtain were
obliged 10 wit for llow appeal To the Aneri-
ran government, his crew might def-rt in his
tace, and tilvtiirl be expOlrd IL III; enemy Ivy
being unnamed and unarmed in his prelence.
thus Is 4 TOh violent cafe, & he cori cnre Of
Each remQte, we had alanOh fail, impoiiit.e
evil, mnt never be fet mp to iuGify n general
practice, which might involve nations in all the
horrors of war. II is not by refining on tights,
and fearing thsnft'ves By the phaatalieq of M
probable evils, that piudeRt men form fchenes
of action aud lay down rules ct conduit. IF
we are involved ina flngniuary and Iuioous var,
Of what ufe is il to us hat Sophift may hunt
out metaphysical right 20 the quarrel? States
are not bound to att upon aritl rights, but up
on rights with 1t is prudent either 10 exerclic
or relax. In a word, the cafe at profeut has not
the beit appearance fCr Va.
Brh'5 Wtc&J .Mc6;agtr.