The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-09-16
TO the inhabitants Of the tom of Boston, t,
legal Ioz0n Meetincr assembled.

- ''.S ''''"UftN|tS VI tNC IO7CN ~ BOSTON,, IN
legal 1oz0n Meeting assembled
Your representation and request were re-
celved on the 22d inst and have been consi-
dered with the attention due to every express
sion OF the sentiments and feelings of so res
Pectablc body of my fellow-citizens. No
person has seen, with more concern than
myself, the inconveniencies brought on our
country i'll general, by the circumstances of
the times in which we happen TO live times
TO winch the history of nations presents no
parallel. For years VIC have been looking as
spectators on cur brethren of EHrohe, afflict-
ed with all those evils, which necessarily
follow an abandonment of the moral rules
which bind men and nations together-Con-
nectcd with them in friendship and COM
merce, we have happily so far kept alCof
from 'heir calamitous conflicts, by a steady
observance OF justice towards all, by much
torbearance and multiplied sacrifices At
length, however, all regard to the rights of
others having been thrown aside, the bellige-
rent powers have beset the highway of COM
mercial intercourse with edicts, which taken
together, expose our commerce and mari
ners, under almost every destination, prey
TO their fleets & armies. Each party indeed
would admit our commerce with themselves,
win the view OF assoCiating us in their war
against the other. But we have wished war
with neither: Under these circumstances
were passed the laws of which you complain,
by those delegated to exercise the powers of
Legislation for you, with every sympathy of
a common interest in exercising them faith
fully. In reviewing these measures therefore
we slioild advert to the difficulties out of
i which choice was of necessity TO be made.
To have submitted our rightfui commerce to
prohibitions, and tributary exactions from
others, would have been to surrender our in
dependence. To resist them by arms was
war, without consulting the state of things
or the choice of the nation. The alterna-
tive preferred by the Legislature of suspend
ing commerce placed under such unexam-
pied difficulties, besides saving to our citi-
Zems their property, & our mariners to their
country, has the peculiar advantage OF givine
time to the belligerent nations to revise a
conduct as contrary to their interests as it is
To our rights.
" In the event Of such peace, of suspension
OF such hostilites between the belligerent
powers OF EnroHe, or of such change IN their
measures affecting neutral commerce, as
may render that of the United States suffi-
ciently safe, in the Indignant of the Presi-
dent" he is authorised to suspend the en-
bargo.-But no peace or suspension of hosti-
lities, nochangc of measures affecting neutral
commerce, is known to have taken place
The orders of England, and the DEGREES OIL
France & Spain existing at the date Of these
laws, arc still unrepeacd, as fer as we know
In Stain indeed contest for the govern
ment appears TO have arisen but Of its
course or prospects, we have no information
ON which prudence would undertake ha-
sly change in our policy, even were the au-
thority OF the executive competent to such a
decision.
You desire tla., in this defect Of power.
congress may be specially convened. 1t is
unnecessary to examine the evidence or the
character of the facts which are supposed t.
dictate such a cali; Because you will be sen.