The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-08-09

| hus what ORIGINALITY lea to the plan OF
joint and concurrent negotiation. Though n,
suspicious of the designs of the French go
vcrnment had prevented it, yet it is Curl
/ 0iis 10 enquire what were the immediate In
ducements which produced it. These are in
directly stated in the following passage Of
1.-The Life OF Washington - an authority
which neither MesSrs. Jay, Woicott nor
Chectham Will be inclined TO dispute. Speak
ing OF the propositions of Sir Guy Carlton
Tor negotiation, which, says the writer may
have been made for the general purpose OF
Cancellation &c" he proceeds:
These communications appear to have a.
harmed the jealousy of the minister of France.
loquiet his fears, the resolution was renew
ed, THAT congress would enter into 10 dis
cussion of any overtures for pdCi6cation, but
IN confidence and in concert with his most
Christian majesty" At the same time il was
again recommended TO the several states, to
adopt such measures as would most etfcctual-
" guard against all Intercourse with any sub i.
Jects ct the British crown during the war.
ihese resolutions are in the following
terms:
Whereas, by the articles Of confederation
ana perpetual union, the sole and exclusive
right OF making peace is vested in the Unit
ed States IN congress assembled ; and b. the
treaty-of alliance between ais Most Christi
an Majesty and these United States, it is
declared, thai neither of the contracting
parties shall conclude peace nor truce with
Great Britain without the consent OF the o.
ther: and the ministers plenipoteutiaries of
these United States in Europe, are vested
with full power and authority. in their be-
half, and in concert with their allies, to ne
gotlate and conclude a general peace: ne
vertheleSs it appears the British CONT still
hatters tso n with the vain hope of prevailing
on the United States to agree to some terms
OF dependence upon Great Britain ut least to
separate peace; and there is reason to be
lieVe, that commissioners may be sent to A.
merica, to offer propositions of that nature
to the United States or that secret emissaries
may be employed to delude and deceive: in
order to eXtinguish ill-founded hopes, to frus-
tfate insidious attempts, and to manifest to
the whole world, the purity of the intentions,
and the fixed and unalterable determination
OF the United States:
Resolved unanimously, That congress are
sincerely DESTROYS of an honorable and per-
manent peace that as the only means Of ob-
tanning it, they will inviolabiy adhere To the
treaty OF alliance with his most Christian
Majesty, and conclude neither a separate
peace nor truce with Great Britain that
they viii prosecute the war with vigor, until
by the blessing of God ON the united arms 4
peace shall be happily accomplished, by
which, the full and absolute sovereignty and
independence of the United States having
been duly assured their rights and interests
as well as those OF their allies shall be effec-
tually provided FOR and secured.
IAat congress SyiH nat enter me discusst-
on q any oUerture8 for hacifcaion, 6Ht in
co'.hae'ce q in concstT zeith his niosE Chris
fii11 -lIaje5fy.
hot
and Vaccinations of the enemy, il be, and
hereby is recommended to the respective
states, to be visiant and active in detecting
ana SEEING al british emissarles and spies,
that they may be brought to condig n punish
ment that it be enjoned On all officers of
departments, with persons Coming from the
enemy, under the protection OF flags of truce,
to take special care that such persons do not
abuse their privileges but be restrained from
ali intercourse with the country and inhabi-
the pabTijcc Dii. nat nHG &c for transacting
sent And lastly, it is recommended TO the Sc
veral states, that no subjects of his Britannia
majesty, coming directly on indirectly from
any part Of the British dorniBions, be admit
ted into any OF the United States during the
war
Ordered, That the honorable minister pie
| nipotentiary Of France, be furnished with a
copy OF the above act and that copies be
transmitted to the ministers of these states
at foreign courts, and that it be published.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Sec.
Chief Justice Marshall proceeds with AN
account of the subsequent steps, pursued
by Sir Guy Carlton; the letter, which he
n conjunction with Admiral Digby address
lsed General Washington, g Containing
* information, that they had received Off
cial assurances thai rar Grrnville was at
Paris, invested With inii powers to treat with
all the parties at war; and a subsequent
letter from Sir Guy Carlton alone, in which
he declared shat ne could discern no further
object OF cnntest."-The author then ex-
plains the eject of these transactions upon
he mind " the representa- i've OF his Chri-
stan Majesty
" But the situation ofthe United States JUS
tilted suspicion OF different motives; and
prudeHCc required that their conduct should
be Influenced bv that suspicion. The unwii-
! ii1gness Nth which the king would assent to
thc dismemberment OF the empire was un-
derstood AID ii was thought not improbable
that the sentiments expressed in the house OF
commons. might be Attributable, rather 10
the desire Of changing those who had admi
nis;Gred the government, than to any fixed
dete~nri. Giion 30 rriinquis' the DESIGN Of re-
lanneXing America 20 the British crown. Tn.
der these Impressions the ovcrtures now
made were considered as opiatcs administer
| ed to luil into state Of total rcrose, the ap-
rit OF vigilance, which the guardians of the
! public safety laborcd still TO keep Up, and to