The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-03-29

traints OF the orders of the British govern
ment, retaliating the. French Imperial de-
cree, very large portions of the world re-
main open to the commerce of the United
States I'VE may yet pursue our trade with
the British dominions. in every part of the
glebe; with Africa, with China, and with
the colonies of France, Spain and Holland.
And let me ask, whether in the midst of
profound peace, when the powers of Eu-
rope possessing colonies, would, as formerly,
conhne the trade with them to their own
bottoms, or admit MS, as foreigners only,
under great limitations, we could enjoy a
commence much more extensive than is prac-
tcable at this moment, if the embargo were
not in the ways Why then should it be
continued! Why rather was it ever laid ?
Can those be legitimate reasons for the en-
barge winch. arc concealed from Congress,
at the lnoment when they are required to
impose it? Are. the reasons to be found in
the dispatches from Paris! These have been
moved for; and the motion, was quashed
by the advocates for, the embargo. Why
are these dispatches withheld by The execu-
tive! Why, when all classes of our cti-
zenS anxiously inquire "For what's the en-
barge laid!" is a satisfactory answer deni-
cd Why is not Congress made acquainted
with the actual situation of the United
States in relation to France. Why in this
dangerous crisis, are Mr.. Armstrong; let
ters to the secretary of state absolutely with
held, SO that line Of them cannot be seen
Did they contain no Information of. the de-
mands and intentions of the French empe-
rors Did the RepenSe sail from England to
rance, aad there wait three or four weeks
Tor dispatches Of no importance. ?-If So,
why, regardless of the public solcitude.
are their contents SO carefully concealed /! If
really anlmPortant, what harm gan arise
from telling Congress and the nation official
fy, that they contain nothing OF moment to
the safety, the liberty, the honor, or the in
terests OF the United States? On the, con-
traiy, are they so closely locked. up, because
they will not bear the light z, Would their
disclosure rouse the spirit of the people, Still
slumbering in ,bliRd confidence in the exc
cutiyes Has the French emperor. declared
ne Will have no neutrals1 Has he required
mat our forts, like these of his vassal states
IN Europe, be shut against British COM
mcrce! Is the embargoa substitute, a mil
der form pt compliance with that harsh de-
mand, which, ii exhibited in its naked and
insulting aspect, the American spirit might.
yet resent! Are we still to be kept pro-
foundly ignorant of the declarations and a
vowed designs of the French emperor, al
though these may strike at oar liberty and
independence :? And in the mean time, are
Il
preMdices, and BY exciting fresh, resent
ments, to be drawn gradually into war
with u. britain Z. Why amidst the extreme
anxiety o. the public mind isit still to be kept
on the rack OF fearful expectation, by the
presidents portentous silence respecting his
French dispatches In this conceaiment there
is danger. In this ,concealment must be
wrapped up the real cause of the embargo.
On any other supposition it is inexplicabie.
am alarmed, sir, at this perilous state of
things; cannot repress my suspicious !; OF
foreear thus to exhibit to you the grounds on
which they rest. The people are advised to
repose implicit confidence in the national go
vernment: in that upbpunded confidence lies
our danger >, Armed with that confidence,
the executive may procure the adoption of
measures. which may overwhelm us with ru-
IN, as surely If he had an army at his
neels. BY false policy, or by inordinate
fears, or country may be betrayed a nd sub
JuSateo 10 France, as surely as by corrupti-
on. i trust, sir, that no one who knows me
VIII charge 1t to vanity when / say, that
nave some knowledge.of public mes and pub
lie affairs: and on that knowledge, & with
soiemnity, l declare to you, that have no
confidence In the wisdom or correctness of our
pubic measures; that cur country is IN imnii-
hent danger; that it is essential to the public
safety that the blind confidence in our rulers
SHOULD cease i; that the state legislatures
should know the facts and reasons on which
important general laws are founded and es-
flecially, thar Those SiateS 9jhoSe farms are
on The ocean, and whose harueSts are ga
f2ered IN every sea, should immediately and
seriously consider how to preserve them
In all the branches of government, CONNER.
cial information is wanting and in this
desart called City, that want cannot be
supplied. Nothing but the Sense of the COM
mercial' states, Clearly and emphatcally ex-
pressed, will save them from ruin.
Are our thousands of ships and vessels to
rot In our harbourss Are our 60, 600 sea-
men and fishermen to be deprived of en-
ployment, and, with their families, reduced
to want and bcggary? Are our, hundreds
OF thousands of farmers to be compelled to
suffer their millions in surplus produce to pc
rish on their hands; that the president may
make an experiment on our patience and
torttude, and on the towering pride. the
osundless ambition, and unyelding pcrse-
yerance OF the conqueror of Europe! Sir.
have reason to believe that the president
comtemplates the continuance of the embar-
go until the French emperor repeats his de-
crees violating as well his treaty with the
y. States as every neutral right and until
Britain thereupon recalls her retaliatins or
ders by that time we may have neither
ships nor seamen; and that is precisely the
point to which some men wish to reduce us
10 see the improvidence Of this project Ito
call 1t by no harsher name, and without adj
a.. LII