The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-07-26
AMERICAN GROUND.

the maintenance of her government, & all
its appendages. The facility of raisingloaIis
depends upon that source; and in truth !,
her whole system of revenue, directly or in
directly, is bottomed upon it. She cannot
exist with splendor tor any long period of
time, without an extensive and Furnishing
trade. Deluded by a .fallacious view OF
things, and believing that the continent of.
Europe either could not or would not do
without large supplies of colonial produce
and British manufactures, even if it had to
accept them by vessels direct from England;
She .rashly promulgated and acted upon her
orders in council, and thereby rendered our
flag obnoxious in all the ports Of, Europe,
whose sovereigns are hostile to Create
tain; and by doing so. effectualiy stagnated
her own trade, which had before beenb brisk
ly carried OH, Notwithstanding the war, in
acircuitous and lawful manner, by our bot
toms.
Thus situated, the British ministers would
gladly remove all difficulties to proper and
Pacihc understanding, which exists between
the United States and Great Britain, were
1t not for Certain expectations entertained
upon their part. That they have been pur-
suaded from the writings and conduct of
particular persons among US, that the peo-
pie OF this country would not submit to the
embargo; that they would volt that there
was probability that the government might
be subverted, or that a division of the Union
might be effected, if the cabinet of St. James
would only adhere pertinaciously to its mea-
sures: and that, at all events the perseve-
rance OF Great Britain in her nnfriendlv
conduct to America could not fail of produ-
cling the most salutary effect for England in
the approaching presidential election. This
opinion Of the British ministry is grounded
upon the publications in the opposition
prints, and upon Mr.. Pickering's letter in
particular. There is also good reason to be-
lleVe, that letters have been sent to the min
isterial party in England by persons in this
country, advising them GO Weld nothing 10
the present American administration, and
fiattering them with the hope that a radical
change of politics must be the consequence
on this side of the water.
= LII these circumstances, the course of con-
duct to be pursued by the people of the u
Statesis as lucid as ray ofligbt On either
hand we are represented with an enemy, if we
choose so to consider it.-France cares very
little for our friendship, as. it regards her
self; but values our enmity as it relates TO
q. b.; whilst the latter estimates our ami
ty as essential to her vital interests, but in
the expectation OF revolution among our ci-
tZens In her favor rejects the olive branch
THAT ne nave 50 often presented TO her A.
gainst France it becomes us to assert our dig
nifty; against England to maintain our uni
tv, our independence, and our character as a
tree people. The aggravations of France
are wounding to our sense of national honour I:
those OF the British insulting and degrading
to every noble passion of our nature, because it
presumes upon our want of forttude and vr-
tuous principles. We are peaceable natl
on; we must therefore preserve a pacific
nOSfurp lnnU &c ~ -
with our interests and rights. We are also
gallant nation we must therefore make
war when peace is no longer reasonable or
to be tolerated
In any event, the embargo is wise mca-
sure. Ii we refrain from war, it acts as a
girth which binds our most valuable resour-
ces to the country. 1t will also act positive
ly upon the enemy, by which, in due time.
he must undoubtedly feel the want of our
friendly Offices. IF we ms e war, the en-
barge is one of those middle measures which
breaks the dreadful shock in rushing from n
state OF peace into state of desperate hostili-
ties. -
The French emperor may learn hereafter.
that 1T is OF some importance to be on good
terms with us; and as for Great Britain
she will understand q hope it may not be too
late for herr that she has woefuly missed n
figure; and that her ministry have been the
dupes Of few men in this country who are
themselves deiudsd by monstrous dccehkio
Uf8ns in politics. Europe NAV RELY upon
the tact, that six months have familiarized
men minds to the embargo; and that it is be-
coming more popular every dav. | am not
IN the habit of praisipg my countrymen :;
but will venture. tn aythis much oftbem
that all attempts to induce them to rebel, all
endeavoors to- subvert the government to
divide the Union, or to force upon them a
President against their own.inclinations, will
be by them resisted with unbounded indi r.
nation and at the peril of their lives....INoni-
tor.
The Editor of the Democratic Press de-
serves great credit for the subsequent man
ly sacrifice of his own private wishes to
the general interests of this country. IT
distinctly shows, how the vote of Pennsvl
vauia will so, at the aext Presidential E
lection.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
1t has been remarked by the readers of
the Press" that for some weeks / have de-
cclined any publication on the presidential e.
lection. Let it not be inferred that have
been an indifferent observer on so important
public question. With patient industry.
" r.ra Il