The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-28

President Adams inevitably found himself sur.
witt, less rleaus Of elfdcfcncc.i What r,.si.,,s
might have been an unit only Washing toni per-
plexities braiched out with him into myyiads--
Why and how he fell /; whether he cptahglcd him
self, more and more. by schemes adopted for his
extrication, are within the knowledge ofthe living,
and VIII furnish ample materials for history, to
instruct those who follow. ~.
President Jefferson was thrown into different
scene of action. If he departed in the smallest
degree, from the preeedents or policy of w ash
mgton, chosen band rushed upon him with the
most bitter and rancorous criticism =, The parti-
1ans OF Adams, who sould not venture to name
their cause after him. rallied under that of WASH
ington, NJ ii those two persenages had been the
same IN spirit To AZ these have been added Ia
bours which neither ofhis predecessors expcrienc-
ed II not serious conspiracy to dismember the
" States, at least an effort to involve us inca war
with Spain; usnrpatons and aggrcssons from c.
Britain, hitherto without example, and the me-
naces from nation whose power requires no
thing but range on the water to overyyhelm the
whole world, on the iaxd.
What then can fourth administrations xpcct !
Success !! They must be content with deserving
1t: FROM what has already occurred, they may
draw q chart apparently for the guidance of the
vessel OF state they may delineate the promon-
tories, on which fame formerly stood, but which
are now mouldering away; they may mark the
shoals, which have been fatal to others but the
bosom OF the political ocean is deeply conyulsed !;
and rocks will arise, where the navigation has
been hitherto smooth and safe
Amidst these uncertain prospects, review of
Mr.. Madison's talents apd conduct will direct our
~. - MARCUS.
.
TIE authors are reported to be Gouverneuy
Morris, Ryns King and Oliver Woiestt.
-. -4
Our readers are already acquainted with the
fact, that we differ in the most material
points from the party sentiments of the
FOLLOWING writer. 1t is therefore unneccs-
sary to express formal protest against
them. The press, however, is free and
ourreaders will judge for themselves:
TO THE LEGIsL4 7yRE or YIRcINIL.
lHE heart OF the man who now addresses YOU
is depicted i'll his signature, and although he
may be wanting in knowledge of the usual ETH
quctte, Practced in approaching your honorable
body he nevertheless feels all that respect for
your intelligence and virtue, which ought 10 ami
mate {. bosom warmly attached to the constituted
authorities Of his country. Enjoying in common
with my tciiowcitizens, the inestm, bile privilege
OF speaking or writing any oriniuns--witloui a
ny farther apology, will proceed with can.lor to
make the following suggestions
That the present is aperiod, PREGNANT with diff
hcu!ty ard peril, is felt and admitted ON all hands
Contrary to our wishes and Interests, as well AZ
to the real interests OF the tvo great brliirerent
powers o. Europc it seems the United States
must be drawn into contest with one of those
nat .ons. ii our delicate differences with Great
Britain are accommodated, how shall we escape
4 conflict with France how shall we shape
our course TO avoid heavy pressure from Bona
parties policy towards neutr..is To any :iation
wa IS great calamity. To Republic, its evils
are In alculable. Do not suppose would cringe
loin any sacrifice necessary to maintain ouy rights
honor or independence. am not one of those
vino would league with, or succumb To any natl
on Resting Oh the strength OF the nation, and
the broad principles ofjustice, would make the
dreadful appeal to war, sooner than submit To a.
ny farther humiliation on imposition
Let me ask you, gentlemen, what preparations
you nave made TO meet or avert the impending
danger! What are you now doing At i time.
whoa all tie energies of the nation should be
concentrated and directed to one great object.
(our own defence) When rumours of Wars re
sound from one end of the continent to the other,
and every breast beats with anxiety for the ia
tioaal veal, thus threatened and endangered, re-
peat what are you doing. What have you done /.
The answers painful, though obYious-Yom have
done little, and from the La, papers it appeared
you were still doing less good. Adopting reso
lutions with preambies to them, so cetched as to
wound the feelings of MANY men ef independence,
talents and virtue and loudly calling on them at
the same time tor a blind acquicscence. All say,
we VIII support our government in its measures
we have confidence in our councils-You de.
mand more You proclaim that as to any speci.
tic measure there shall be no doubt, although
there arc no documents. For me or against me
THIS IS The question. You must answer in the af
trmative or be prescribed forever To their honor
be 1t spoken, some members of the majority in =
late debate, disclaimcd this exterminating doc.
trine. But wherefore such precipitation Is
hurry or hustle any evidence of superior wisdom
or greater dignity and firmness in case of this
sort No; as was wisely remarked it is evil
dcnce to the contrary-It indicates a disposition
to shut ont enquiry, to preclude dignifed and
manly dcilberation Is it sufficient to tell men Of
independence and talents, whose patriotism i.
spotless; Here have 10 information ON tn,
subject, except the Presidents suggestion of it,
propriety The measure scas adobfed in secret ses
fion h1 Of the debates or tie reasons on ,,hich il
10 6ottonr:a have been divuLged to the bnbic, bu
our lav:Sivers are Tvise and virtuous. The a,.,ui
nisfraiO" recommended the proceeding. The .vorc
administration il candy word it sugnr, ove,
more, believe, than the Executive wish.
Herei the reasoning ofgentlemcn, & does It MOI
spring from the old doctrine of chances which ha,
beens often exposed, that | had hoped It was cy