The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-07-15
FROM THE AURORA.
TIL. NEW EPocHA.

60 be yet deficient, in-as-,nuch rs no regulation
was made concerning American vessels, then in
foreign seas. Had there been clause, declaring
the registers and other authenticatng,- papers,
possessed by any American vessel, to be invalid
and null, and Of no effect, which vessel should
not have returned TO the United States within a
period proportisned to the distance or length of
her voyage, the measure would have been more
effective, and our neutrality and our neutral cha
ydctsr have been better established and respect
cd.
But in this ne1p ebccha, when nothing that has
happened could be well forsseen from any expe-
rience of former times, it is not so much matter
OF surprise of regret, that the sagacity of
gress did not perceive the defect, and forcsee the
want ofsome such provision. :
There are aGyices from London and from Pa
ris in this city, which Of very interesting and
decisive character, as to the views and disposti-
ems OF the two governments towards the United
States.
Whether the dispositions of France arise from
profound policy or disposition founded on an
enlarged liberalty, any other better or worse
motives, is not material to this nation at this
moment, as to know that no minister ut Paris has
neen treated with more openness and unreserve
than hNn Armstrong, nor is any government i'm
Europe spoken OF with expressions of greater Ii
berality Indeed, there appears to be perfect
acquaintance with the intrgues and corruption of
&. Britain, and her commercial influence in the
Seapor,s of the u. States. 81.
Iations, conversing with gentleman who tarred
few days with gen. Armstrong talking of the
case OF vessel detained, expressly said, that the
French government were in full possession ofthe
evidence, that the American Gag was used by the
British government to draw supplies of brandy
tor ITS fleets, from France to draw silver bullion
from Spain and Portugal TO draw silk from
the Cenoese and Florentine coasts, and from
Sicily, and to smuggle in British manufactures,
and carry back remittances from France to Eng
land.
He stated further, that vessels of this descrip-
ton were employed to carry spies to the continent
and to bring back to England the reports of their
operations, and that many persons acting actually
rs spies were sent out under the name of super
cargoes
The American gentleman upon this observed
that such acts of the British government, or of
British merchants, could not be attributed to the
American government nor ought the honest flag
and fair American trader to be condemned iiidis-
csiIainatey with them.
1t was admitted that the case was hard one
but " howisit possible to discriminate your own
commercial agents cannot determine which are
" the true or which the false papers all the for
HIaiIties, anu even the maud writing vi your
" public officers appear equally perfect and alike ::
!" we'have no alternative but the total and indis-
" criminate exclusion of every vessel that has
6. been in England, and their condemnation ifthey
enter our ports" He added, you that
=" vessels bearing foreign ambassadors, our allies,
" are not admitted from England
This discourse which has been repeated to us
much more at large, took place very short time
ago: and II was stated that the French govern
lnent was perfectly aware 'tthat the acrimony and
hostility against France, which appeared from the
Arnerics.n presses, not of American, but OF
British production which at one period, before
1T was property understood had excited some dis
satisfaction. but had lost it's Importance with a
knowledge of its true origin
1t was alleged in London. that a decree had
been issued at Bdyonne, by the French emperor,
tor carrying into port and OBTAINING every vessel
found at sea, bearing the American flag, after the
2oth April. This decree is reported to have been
accompanied by some explanations Of its cause
and views; but are not more distinctly or intelli-
gIbiy reported than those of the Milan decree
were on the first advices but it is said to have
alleged; that the American government had
laid an embargo all its merchant vessels, that
Vessels which carry that flag now, have either
abandoned the laws of their country-are in open
opposition to them-are. employed in the service
OF the enemy of France-or enemies disg,iis-
ed under neutral fag-and are therefore to be
brought into port
There can be very little doubt from the spirit
of this report, that 8nch decree has been issued
and there can be as little doubt that it will be act
ed upon and we presume that instead of being
taken by the enemies of the public peace, as ano-
ther pre- of the wisdom and discretion of our
government in laying the cmbargo-thai his will
pe heiu lOrtn as new cause Tor taxing III OF.
OF the disbositi5ns of the English government
we need very little information, for of their hos
hLe intentions, government is well aware
whether there is any new evidence of then pur-
poses to attempt the stu1id project ef sebarati.
% u ne Union, and forming government in the
eastern states, in alliance union I'm the Irish
.styie) with England, we cannot say; but our GO
vernment has for some time been in possession of
such information--indeed lord Holland, i'm the
British house Of lords, lately scofFcd at the pre-
sent administration for c0unterancine a plan 50
monstsousiy preSosterOus. Lord Hawkesbury
indeed affected TO deny such an intention /; but
any one who recoiects their conduct to Denmark,
or their conduct in setting on foot the joint expe
dItlon of Mirar9a and BUR-, viii know what va
Tue TO give declaration of the elder son of FEN
kinsOH.
By what VIC have been able to learn from yer.
bal Ycport of England, the state Of that country
must be very critical in the present year The
government, however, has proposed some rigor-
Gus measures to strengthen their hands, and to he
ready by coercion Unpopular risngs, to carry their
system Of warpollcy TO the extreme.
The French do not this year make any demon
STATIONS of remarkable kind on the coast of the
British channel; and less apprehcnsions appear
cd to be entertained Of an invasion in England
than heretofore but there is an ene11ty in tire
country, more formidable than the French-that
rs, the dangerous appearance of qvnat, before
which stone walls fall sooner than BY lombard