The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-04-22
(Coe.tna.cd .L;.om tfrst l.age. }

surprising tnaC tncy should nave urdWn inc
same conclusion from them. That decree,
however, opened a new scene. 1t certainly
gave Il signal TO the cruizcrs to commence
the seizures, which they have not failed to
do. as has been sufficiently felt by the Citi-
2ens ofthc United States, whohave suffered
under it. According to the information
which has been given me, about fifty vessels
have been brought into the ports of Great
Britain, in consequence OF it, and there is
reason to believe that the same system is
pursued in the West-Indies, and elsewhere.
The measure is the more to be complained
OF, because Great Britain had, in-peimit-
ting the commerce for two years, given 4
sanction to it by her conduct, and nothing
had occurred to create a suspicion that her
sentiments varied from her conduct. Had
that been the case. or had she been disposed,
tocfange her conduct in that respect towards
the United States, 1t might reasonably have
been expected that some intimation would
have been given of it, before the measure was
carried into effect. Between powers who
are equally DESTROYS of preserving the rela =
tons of friendship with each other notice
might III al such cases be expected. But
In the present case the obligation to give it
seemed to be peculiarly strong. The eXis-
tence of negotiation which had been sought
on the part of the United States, some con
siderable time before my departure for
Spain, for the express purpose of adjusting
amicably and fairly, all such questions be-
tween the two nations, and postponed on
that occasion to accommodate the views of
his majesty's government, furnished suita-
bic opportunity for such an intimation, while
it could not otherwise than increase the
claim to it.
In this communication I have made no
comment on the difference which is obser-
vable in the import of the several orders
which have regulated, at different times. the
seizure of neutral vessels, some of which
were more moderate than others. tits pro-
per, however, to remark here, that those
which were issued, or even that any had been
issued since the commencement of the pre-
sent war, were Circum stances not known till
very lately on principle, it is acknowledged
that they are to be viewed in the same light
and it has been my object to examine them
by that standard, without going into detail
or marking the shades Of difference between
them. ! have made the examination with
that freedom and candor which belong to Q
subject of very high Importance to the u
nited States !; the result of whch has been
as Ipresunle, to prove that all the orders are
repuenaDt to the law of nations, and that
the late condemnaticns which have revived
the pretension on the part of Great-Brtain
arc not only repugnant to that law, but to
the understanding which it was supposed
had taken place between the two powers res
pecting the commerce In question.
! cannot conclude this note without ad-
Tciting TO the other topics depending be
tween ourgovernments which it is also n.uci,
wished to adjust at this time. These are well
known to your lordship, and it is therefore
unnecessary to add any thing on them at
present With view to perpetuate the
friendship of the two nations, no unnecessa-
~ cause of collision should be left open.-
Those adverted TO, are believed 20 be of this
kind such is the case of boundary, the i'm
presSment ct seamen, &c. since it is pre-
sumed there can be no real conflicting in
tercst between them, on thoscpoints The
general commercial relation may then be
adjusted or postponed as may be most con-
Sistent with the view ofhis majeSty's go
vernment. On that point alse it is believ-
ed that 1t viii not be difficult to make sdch
an arrangement as by giving sufficient scol:e
TO the resources, to the industry & the en-
terprige ofthe people of both countries, may
prove highly and reciprocally advantageous
to them. In the topic of impressment, how
ever, the motive is more urgent In that
line the rights ofthe United States have been
so long trampled under foot, and the feelings
OF humanity, in respect TO the sufferers, and
the honor of their government, even in their
own ports, so often outraged, that the aston
ished world may begin to doubt whether
the patience with which these injuries have
been borne, ought to be attributed to gene
rous or unworthy motives: whether the u
nited States merit theranf to which in other
respects they are justly entitled among i'll
dependent powers, or have already, in the
very morn of their political career, lost their
energy and become degenerate. The Uni
ted States are not insensiblc that their con-
duct has exposed them to such suspicious,
though they well know that they have not
nerited them. They are aware, from the
similarity in the person, the manners and "a
bovc ali, the identity Of the language,
which is common to the people Of both ma
tions, that the subject is di.hcuit one they
are equally aware, that to Great-Britain all
so, it is Il delicate one; and they have been
wiling in seeking an arrangement of this i'm
portant interest, to give proof By the mode,
Of their very sincere desire to cherish the
relations of Friendship with her. have on
ly TO add, that shall be happy to meet your
lordship on these points, as soon as you can
make it convenient to you.
have the honor to be,
With high consideration,
Your lordship's most obedent SER
want,