The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-11-11

Of "Ydnke rs"-their vessels DESTROYED by the
exertions Of the inju'e. Americans, or cap
tured BY the rapacity of those, WHO might
abase their commission. These resentmcnts
would scarcely fail to have correspondent
effect upon the measures of the government.
The ministry of Great-Britain would pro-
baby be tempted to issue their letters OF
n,argue and reftrisat against the vessels of
the United States-sntl guar, an open and I'm
disguised war, would probably be the issue
of this intermediate expedient. 1t becomes
therefore question with the Congress of
the United States, whether they will repeal
the Embargo and then adopt measure.
which will most probably transfer their con-
stitutional power ofdecidrinS 7var-to a par
eel of merchants and captains-Yet this
measure, however in-expedient in itself, is
Infinitely preferable to submission.
But three great expedients, therefore, are
presented to the choice of the American
people-Had either of the beiigerent pow
ers indeed thought proper to except our com
ncrce from the operation of its DEGREES, it's
trre that there would have been another and
n more advantageous course before MS. We
might have excepted that nation from the o.
peration of our Embargo. and totally refused
Gil Communion of commerce with her enc
niy.-3pt as neither OF these nations seems
as vet disposed to respect our most sacred
compels us either to resort toWar--to Sub.
mission-or to adhere tothe Embargo
Shall we resort to SUBMIssIoN1 Shall!
we repeal the Embargo, and suffer our ner-
chants to- carry OH whatever branches Of
commerce are left open 20 theirenterprize "a
commerce subjected to the impositions % the
DEGREES of Europe, to all the risks OF cap
tnre, to the contraction OF the market TO
British. :.,s ;,..;s
& fto, f,,.N t,OSta
ideas which could enter into the mind of
politcan--No man worthy of the name of
an American would ever consent to maintain
n pcaceable intercourse" with nations,
who subject our rights to sucl, intocrabc en-
Croachments.
If 7ue submit, large portion of OUR ex-
ports must peris, on our hands for want of a
market.-Our rice, our cotton, our tobacco,
are nearly cut off from the continent by the
joint operation of the British and French de-
crees.. Though the ports of Spain and Por-
tugal may now be open to our trade, it is i'm
possible to say how soon even this scantv re-
source may be denied to us The histo-
ry of Europe for the last ten years forbids us
TO indulge any very 1attering anticipations
on this head.
II ne submit, large proportion of our YES
sells, seamen, aud property will serve to en-
rich those very frcebootcrs who have dared
to violate our rights.
IT ne submit, we must not only sustain
the loss of these captured cargoes, but the
imposition of British tribute upor the car
goes which we export to and import from the
continent. These inpositions will constitute a
serious deduction from the profits of that scan
~ and disloiourable commerce, which we
shall be PERMITTED to mai.itaih with these
European Marauders. *
Eut submission would be the height ofat-
.k.I IL. IL
the usurpatons which Great Britain has al
ready attempted, we shall not, soon possess a
single right on the ocean If we concede
these points, it will be only an invitation to
her to seize upon others. If we submit to
these encroathments upon our trade, there
is not a single branch of it, which will es-
cape her fangs.
She NAV levy an exorbitaDt dutv upon
all tn. Productions which are sent to Europe.
She may extend these arrogant impositi-
ons to all the goods which we import from
that continent.
She may extend a similar system to the
West In1cs. She may establish general
custom-house and licensing Office in lanai
ca, and publish an annunciation to the peo-
pile of the United States, that none of their
vessels shall trade with the West Indies,
without calling at Jamaica and paying an
exhorbitant duty OH their cargoes
Or what is more probable still, she may
prohibit our trade with any other w. India
Islands than her own, by proclaiming all o.
theirs to be under state of blockade-Such
was the very course, which the COMMITTEES
cn the Distillation of Molasses have already
recommended the House of Commons to pur7
sue, in case the Americans should rescind
their Embargo"
II zve submit to the present encroachmcnts
of Great Britain. we might as well cast cur
Declaration Of Indefendence into the flames,
and submit to the humble conditions of Bri-
fish colonies.-If submission is TO be the or
der of the day, it would be far more cempa-
tible to our own interests to permit the resi-
dence Of British collectors in our ports to re-
ceive their duty on our cargoes-or what
would still be better, to send over a special
minister to London, with power TO negotiate
IN the lump for the privilege Of navigating
the seas, at the lowest possible rate OF tribute
As to the honour of the United States it
would be completely out Of the question.
If zoe submit, we arc authorisng G.. Bri-
tain; in all the subsequent wars to which she
NAV be party, to resort to the same into
lera5le system of usurpation.--NVe are there
fore contending now not only for our own
rights, but for those of our posterity.
IT then every feeling of the American ma
fiOn &c de est r;,r nrb ualu,t,le