The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-04-01

been here advanced. ~r.
If, as the advocates of England contend,
the existence of her navy depends the
retention OF her seamen, let her first render
ample justice for the past and abstain from
future aggression a law might thenbe made
toprevent the employment Of her seamen in
the navigation of our vessels, and to provide
the removal of such as may violate it. But
in the name of justice, let no stipulation of
this kind comprehend those foreigners who
have previously been adopted as American
citizcas, and whom the faith of the nation
has been plighted to protect.
The attack on the Chesapeake was call
culated strongly to excite the sensibilty of
the nation /; but it is great mistake to sup
pose chat it bears any proportion in point of
magnitude, TO the imprcssment of our sea-
men. Taken singly and unconnected with
the causes which produced it, it was only
a cause OF momentary alienation, which a
friendly government could easily accommo-
date. 1t was an act which terminated i'm it
self, and was not likely to be repeated. But
the practice OF impressment is an increa-
sing source of continued vexation and op-
preston, which, if not checked, will be as
durable as the existence of the two nations
Yet MIR. Randolph considers the one as JUS
eifying an immediate resort to arms, and
upbraids the government for not having in
'vaded Canada and Jamaica whilst, for OPP
posing the other, MIR. Madison is branded
with undue hostility to England. This gla-
ring inconsistency indicates a mind too much
the sport of puerile passion and caprice.
The affair at Norfolk was sensible appeal
to gross and selfish passions, which it is the
duty OF patriotic, enlightened statesman
to moderate and controul. To calculate the
extent of national injury and degradation "a
rising from impressment, requires some eX-
ercise of the understanding
However we may deprccate the prospect
of the subjugation of Britain, it is the first
duty OF an American representative, to
guard the rights and independence of his own
country, before he INDUCES an unavailng
sensiblity to the dangers of another. 1t i'll
becomes him to re-echo the sentiments and
espouse the doctrines of British pamphle-
teer, the professed advocate of maritime do
mination and universal hostility - although
lie may be pardoned for making free use of
his figures of rhetoric. FRANKLIN
See the Pamphlet entitled War In disguise,
and the Speeches of Mr.. Il. on the Non Inter
course Bill.
We shall not insult" our readers by any
elaborate "preface or postscript" to the
following production. IL is too frivolous and
light to justify or require a single com
ment,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER:
SIR,
THE "contemptuous silence" (which
was the only answer" you deigned "to
return to the only questions | ever pro-
pounded you, wasindeed sort of answer,
which in the simplicity of my heart, had
not anticipated, and which at once surpris-
ed, COMPOUNDED, overwhelmed me. You SEQ
now much time it has cost me to overcome
the cruel modification you inflicted and
truly, Mr.. Ritchic, it is not without fear and
trembling, l-venture once again, to raise my
sc bruised head" You told, us once "you
g had no more right to suppress the at
/" tacks upon yourself, than upon the public
,". character of any other man." / admired
your. Justice, and. magnanimity and have
heartily regretted, that, had any hand in
driving you from your resolution Now, it
seems, you are determined to publish no
more " scurriloust attacks" upon yourself !;
expecting by that declaration, Ipresume, Ito
exclude me from your paper altogether
But shall not rashly forfeit so Invaluable a
privilege. am told too Il hope untruly) you
begin to object to offensive sentences, and e.
ven to words, on public topics; and talked
OF alterations before a certain communicate
on could be received. Very we'll I agree
to abide by your inlhrimatu7. You will
make a most impartial Lord Chamberlain !;
and will never, l am sure, force us to re-
member, that one of the first plays your pre-
decessor excluded from the stage, was
Brooke's Gustavus Vasa. s...
IL 4 know not, whether Posuhatan, like the
Indian chief, whose name have borrowed
Will lift up his eye-lids to behold the enc
mics that surround and insult him or whe-
Their he is chagrined at the contempt he
has excited, the sincerity of which (consi-
dering the pains that have been taken to
manifest iD he cannot reasonably doubt
Mr. Pescud met him with a comment, and
very gravely asked if his facts could be
proved In court of justice !--Panurse,
ScoufSe, Il descendaat. Of Pozvhatan and
IN Observer, have damned him with their
eTfreSS contempt; and how many more
MadisoDian writers have had him in their
eye; will not even guess. You, Mr.. Rit-
chic, hitched postscript to him, of which
the design was to trip up his heels at the start
You gave me preface--you gave Falkland
and Conon preface: But whether YOU in
suit us by preface or postscript, whether
you SPIT your spite on us, at our entrance or
at our departure, the object is apparently
the same-to prevent our ever returning to
the house. Your friends, presume, can take
freedoms with you. Their " vulgarisms"
never attract attention, or incur censure-
Cne u tie People, for instance, abuses his