The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-06-21

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subtle address OF ambitions men. may Lead
too many astray but on the nearer approach
OF public dang-r, the great body of the peo-
pie will be again united.
We cannot forget, that while the United
States were provinces & colonies, complaints
in regard to violations of charter and stipu-
lated right had no intermssion--or that our
independence has rolled ON the smiling ami
versaries N more than thirty years, exhibit
ing greaterquet, less commotions. more Sc
cnrity to life and property, and less oppres-
sion by taxes, than have been found in any
other Country.
These observations naturally lead us to a
recollection of a measure of our general go
verpment, to the eXpcdiency and propriety
ct which, not to its constltutionality, great
objections have been made. The power of
an embargo was exercised under the admi-
nistration Of president Washington, without
scruple but for the necessity of its exercise
now, have no authority TO decide.
AS in my official capacity, would have no
concern in the measure, i had no other know
ledge in regard to it than what had By the
same means, and in common with my fellow
citizens. view the arrest of our commerce
as a great calamity; but from the confidence
place in the government, l consider it as
intended for an expedient to save our naviga-
ton from the unprovoSed depredations of two
mighty powers, and to preserve our nation,
1t possible, from the calamities of foreign
war. feel 1T my duty, therefore, as a citi-
zen OF the general government to submit to
1T, until the national authority shall dispense
with it, and to participate quietly in the
evils resulting from it, There were, no doubt
differences of opinion respecting the act,
when It was passed and oppostions were
made, because the authenticated documents,
orders and DEGREES from whence the expedi-
ency OF the measure was supposed to arise,
were not before congress but the system
pursued by France and England, in their war
against each other, and against neutrals was
well understood. To allow our merchants to
throw their immense number of vessels on
the ocean, without preparing for defence,
notice OF their danger, or assurances of pro
lection, would have been objectionable in the
government. Those DEGREES and acts are now
before us-I have referred to them in order
to give my fellow citizens an opportunity to
reflect on their own situation as IL nosv is ::
and to decide each one for himself, what his
own conduct ought to be, in the present
aspect of public affairs.
rely upon it, that measures are taken,
which will soon give our government official
information OF the dispositions of those natl
ons towards us. AS to their DEGREES, all the
commerce of the United States with all the
world, excepting two Or three places, is in
terdicteuby one or the other Of them. lfthev
snail not relax IN their measures towards us
our general government will have the expe-
oIency OF q Continuance of the embargo. for
4 longer time properly before them. The
idea of perpetual embargo is inadmissible
there can be no inducement to it-no indi-
vidual can derive any permanent advantage
from the measure ;-the rulers can have
none Whenever the difficulties from
whence the necessity of the measure is SUD
posed to arise, are removed, or the measure
rails OF producing the end proposed the re-
llnquishment oft is n thing of course
Should the nations have spoken of CONT
nue. their aSgsressons. various questions must
arise from our situation -
Shall the vessels of our merchants traverse
the ocean unprotected or shall the flag of
the United States have the protection oftheir
Shall unjustifable depredations upon the
property OF our citizens, be borne with, or
shall That property be defended by an open
war, or by letters of marque and reprisal
Under what views, and against what nation
Or nations, shall the war be commenced,
these questions must arise with the natl
onal governmental attempts made BY a
single state to decide upon them, must tend
The legislature of the United States is adj
ourned to next November but before the
adjournment, congress passed an act far au-
-horislng the president of the u. s. to suspend
lie act laying the embargo. The act for au-
-horlsing suspension declares, That in
the event of peace, or suspension of hosti-
Iitles, between the belligerent powers of En-
ro1te, or such changes in their measures, af-
Iecun@ neutral commerce, as may render
that OF the United States sufficiently safe i'm
The Judgment of the president of the United
states, he is authorised during the recess of
congress-, to suspend the act in whole or in
part, under such exceptions and restrictions,
and on such security as circumstances may
require. These are the words of the act
upon the constitutionality or utility of it, /
give no opinion
In a concern so highly interesting to this
commonwealth, as.its commerce is, the intire
arrest'of its navigation, and the interruption
ot its trade, must produce great anxiety in
all, and no doubt strong jealousies with some
of the people. therefore consider my Gu
Ly, to lay this simple statement, at this time,
before my fellow citizens, without express
ing any sentiment upon its Consequences
l his commonwealth, with seven hundred
miles or seacoast, principally fail Of ifhabi
tants, must be much affected BY an embar-
&C.; yet there has been, under its pressure,
ar exhibition of tranquility and good order,
that could How from no other source, than