The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-19
showing the great and increasing Dangers with /,
which our vessels, our sc.,mcn and merchandise

showing the great and Increasing dangers with
winch our vessels, our sc:,mcn and nserch.r,tize
.fr threatened, or the hig~l scrs and elsewhere
from the bciligerent powers OF Eurepe and Il
being ot the greatest Importance to keep in safe
~ these essential resources deem Il nav duty "a,
recommend the subject to the consiacratis.,, Of
Congress-, who will doubtless perceive ali the al
vant2gcS which may be expected frou an iuhi!yi-
ton 9th departure of our vessels from the ports
| of the United States" This message from the
executive magistrate, whose province it is to pre-
side over foreign relations received from Con
gress that immediate and prompt attention which
was due to its Importance
| The evidences of dispositions manifested and
OF measures adopted and in execution bv the bel
hgercnt nations, left no doubt the mind of the,
certain prostration of neutral commerce. The
! embargo was laid as being the safest course : it
was considered AS the best means that could be
resorted TO, for the protection of our citizens, 4
Tor the preservation of our vessels and merc',an
disc. 1t was measure that resulted from much
deliberation. That it is the best which CONGRESS-
could devise or adopt, is the solemn and profound
| conviction OF the committee, on review of the
whole ground, No charge of partality can be
Drought against 1T, as all nations placed on an
equal footing, their vessels being at liberty to en-
Ter our ports and to depart at pleasure The en-
oargoes Eud IN Europe, since the year 1898 never
excepted from detention American vessels The
DeuSercnt nations cannot raise the voice of com
plant rs their injustice has made this prccaution
ar! measure an act of necessity. Should the EN-,
barge be rigidly persevered in the advantages TO
DC derived from its adoption, will amply repay all
! the sacrifices made to obtain them. New and i'm
port'nt treasures, heretofore neglected. will be
brought to light. and, what is more important in
| 10 use The United States, regenerated by their
own energies, will acquire confidence in and -
reliance on, their own resources, without which il
| is IN vain to endeavour to give ciIcctual and com
maionSs protection to the rights OF the citizens.
| and those OF the republic. The embargo. b,,
teaching foreign nations the value of Americas
! commerce and productions, will inspire them
WITH dispositions to practise justice. They de-
pend on thus country for articles of the first neccs
sity' and tor raw materials to supply their manu-
| iactories The embargo will have no inconsider
able influence IN breaking these municipal letters
! which circumscribc the motions and liberty of
commerce.
! me committee arc persuaded that the national
Legislature has cndeavorcd scduolislv to perform
the duties assigned TO it by the constitution in
! manner to comport with the honor and welfare of
a great and tree people. The stand which a de-
liDerate and dispassionatc Judgment recommend
ca and approved, has been taken The issue IS
IN The hands OF that God, who has never ceased
Pre-eminently to manifest his love to these United
states and whatever may be that DESTINY which
ms all-wise and experimenting Providence has nj
iotted tor them, whether it is to be their bannv
lou 10 arrive at that destiny under the guidance &
auspices of peace, or whether it is olecrecd that
they shall pierce through war to reach ito ac-
4uiesce with dignity and frmness becomes duty.
Despair can never dwell in the bosom of Eber,y
ihat God who led the United States victorious
10 Independence, has given strength TO, and in.
sPHeu them with courage, to maintain and TO per-
petuatc it. -
me committee recommend the adoption of the
following resolution:
Res0fVea That tho prayer of the memorislists.
merchants and traders of the city of Philadelphia
is unreasonable, and ought not to be Granted