The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-11-25

u states may expect the most capricious
ana extensive encroachmeDts on their rights
from the naval power o. q. Britain, if they
fo7v submit to her existing aggressions.
nave syet said nothing as to Frauce---not
because am insensibe TO her niustice-but
because the ruling policy OF that nation is
Tess hostile to our commerce, thai: that of
Ireat- britain. France OH the land has been
Just as over bearing and destructive as G.
Britain on the ocean. The usurpation of her
present chiefeain of the throne of his adopt
ed country, his subjugation of Switzerland,
Italy and the confederation of the Rhine,
ms selfish assiduity in carving out Empires
Tor ms brethren, the murder Of the Duo d.
EnghIen, are SO many impcrishabe monu-
ments OF the degeneracy and corruption of
ms principles. Ills unprovoked and peril
oious INVASION OF Spain, combining the snh-
uety OF the Fox with the rapacity of the Ii
ger, VIII stand on record as an ample cqui-
Valent tor the conquest of Poland, the muir
ders OF lshmaei and Prague, the attack of
copenhagen, and the theft of the Danish
fleet. The unconcerned TRANQUILITY with
which he has trampled under foot the Con-
venton OF 1900, and the laws of nations the
lmpuniiy which he has extended to tn burn
ing OF untried, uncondemned American YES
seis, are not very favorable omcns of the
Justice or torbearance, with which he would
nave Welded the trident of the ocean But
notwithstanding these aggressons, it must
he confessed, that whilst France has whip
pedus with rods, Great-Britain has scourg-
ell us with scorpions. These wrongs prn-
clpally emanated out of the previous ag-
gressions of England Re, abortive at
tempts to starve France during the last war
by her Instructions of June Sth, 1898, com.
mandng her privateers g to stop and detain
ali vessels loaded wholly or in part with
corn, Hour and meal her additional in
structions of Nov. 9th, 1898, to annihilate
the trade OK neutral vessels in goods even
the Produce of any colony BELONGING to
France. or carrying provisions or other sup
pines tor the use of such colony - are so
many proofs of the wrongs inflicted bv Great
Britain on the rights of France as well
as or the u. States.-The same encroa III
ments during the present Wharf.-The same ef
/ forts to proclaim whole coasts i'll a state of
biockade-to Curtail the commerce of French
coiomes-and now the daring experiments of
| making the commerce of the United States
! the humble tributary of the British F.xcbe-
| qucr-can never be wrapt in oblivion
! Nhile these aggressons continue uDon re-
cord, the encroachments of France VIII! have
/ some pretence to the apology of retaliation
But whatever may be the spirit of her ro-
vernment, whatever may have been its con-
duct to the people of the continent, her at
tacks upon the maritime rights of the United
States have been infinitely less atrociors
than those of her enemy. France has NOT
reduced 1000 of our unhappy countrvmen to
impressment and slavery. France has not
burnt an English armed vessel within our ac-
knowlecged jurisdiction. France has NOT
murdered one OF our own countrymen on our
own coasts. France has made no unprovolz-
ed attack upon national vessel of the Unit
| IL,
DICT our trade with the colonies of her enc
my.
Ii is not the interest of the French qo-
Vernment to volunteer such aggressions upon
the rights ut the United States. Durins the
wars IN which she is engaged with England.
1t is her interest rather to cherish than
consume our commerce. She is not Jealous
as u. b. is, of our commercial prosperity. IT is
not her interest to merge the privileges of neu-
trals In the restrictions of the belligerent. To
extend the rights of the neutral fae--to mult;-
ply the number of neutral bottoms-is the
true policy OF Il power, whose commercial
navy is expelled from the ocean. and whose
numerous productions must be princinaIjv
transmitted under neutral protection.
But though France was not the first in tb.
series OF agGressions--though it is moth er ma
turGt foHcy to be so-yet has she perpetra-
req injuries upon us, which provoke onr
warmest Indignation and demand the oreat-
est Caution. Her extension to the United
states OF the Berlin Decree, the stipulat;one
OF her Milan decree, must deeply minyIe
| with the just complaints of our countrv and
the causes of the policy pursued bv TIC nra
| sent administration. F'o
| Having taken these general zfe7,o &c a., IL.
aggressions of the powers of Eurone 10, 80
enter more infinitely into the present sitnao
ton OF our country. Let us enoui,e ;n,o
those duties, which the times so intnet;n,,sl
ly impose upon you and the citizens of the
south. Let us investigate the Justice q,
those ciamours and prcjudices, which a55
faction is so busily striving to instiiI
into your bosons against YOUR breth'
rem OF the South and the measures Of vomr
government. The investigation NAV not he
altogether useless TO ourselves and o,r. co.,,
try. A FREFNts Nm
MI canning pretends to speak lightly or
| or Embargo Laws The reason is ol,v;ous
but the acts of the British government s,,caI~
a different language. Why those Infamous
instructions, protecting and temptinp o,,,.
own owl, citi2ens TO bring them our productions ;
| why those curious instructions Of J6lv IL
permitting the disposition Of British zug1,l,
lIactHreS and tile acquisition of ra7g ,1gfer,oIo
! tnrouSh the medium of trade between Bri.
4 fish and French w 4 1T go -