The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-23

of rapacious Williams were net Suffered 10
lf,ounce at once en- the nesv coionisfs, and a.
by sudden rapine, fortunes, which BY
deliberate knavery would require Years OF
fraud and intrigu9Cthis is the plain English
of the grievances.
What was the conduct of the government
complained of--in all our territorial govern
meats, from the settled through the colonial,
to the elective assembly, revisablc by con-
gress; and the general elective when a ter
ritory become state. If among the citizens
Infatuated To American customs and form
OF government, this progression is essential
how much more necessary for a people VIII
had just emerged from the stupefactious rule
OF arbitrary magistracy, and the obscure in
congruous legislation OF the Roman emperors,
and Spanish jurists and commentators.
| But that was the main grievance, Daniel
Clark wished to be governor of LouiSiana--
& like king Chrononhotonthoicgos cried out !;
"When / am not-Chaos must come "a
GAIN
The government, however well disposed,
could not CRAFTY him--they wished to per-
form their duty impartially, as if Mr. DAM
ell Clark had quilted the mountains of Sligo
Ito act politely but guardedly, not even to
offend, only to consider where they had the
obligations of public duty tofulfil.
q This zcas the front IF their attending"
Foi NlT. SldTk says lie ndd would
continue to raise cutlery and opposition to
their measures.
1t was for this he made the tour Of the
western part of the country the Aroyelles,
Rapids, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Oupclou-
sas, Atacapas-and every where pointed the
violation Of their rights. Who could not
suppose zcho did NOT knosv better that this
Daniel Clark was not another Cicero, rous-
ing the drowsy Romans against another Cat
aline Some Harmodius or Aristogiton ira
versing the mountains and plains invoking
the Athenians to shake off their tyrants.
But when it is addressed to people res
cued without any agency OF will of their own,
from the arbitrary sway Of despotic go
vernment, ever doubly despotic, where it is
colonial, who can bear expressing admiration
of the solicitude, and deic0cy, which this
precious patriot felt, for the rights of peo-
pie who only by coming under our govern
ment became possessOr of any rights, CIVIL
OR POLITICAL.
Under orr ordinary laws, persons cmigra-
ting to the United States, have five wears of
probation-The Louisianians were we'll con-
tented to progress in common with others
the circumstances of transition, rendered
it both necessary and salutary and even the
common policy of prudent people demand
ed it.
But the grievance was, that Mr.. Clark
was not the governor. For the same reason
it was, that so much clamor was raised a
bsut the general introduction of elective pow
er, where, Oh the very first nomination to
Legislative Offices, SO little disposed were the
people TO exercise their rights, that about
one half of those nominated, refused to act
We will not say that it was owing to an
indifference to the rights Of civil govern
ment, perhaps there was some effect brodu-
ced by this oufcry and neutrality-suspicious.
the endeavours to turn 1aoftuiar odiun1 a
gainst the government where there was no
press, nor men of equal activity, to counter
act the cutlery and opposition, had produced
this effect-but one thing is certain, that
such indifference TO rights, appeared to rem
der greater precautions requisite in the ex-
tension of the powers of free government, to
a people so easily abused, and so little SEN
sible of the value of civil liberty.
The people of Louisiana, however have
learned by experience, that the most noisy,
are not the best men; and they will by and
bye know Mr.. Clark something better, than
heretofore. There's more behind