The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-09-27
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 10.
AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

Tn consequence OF public advertisement,
calling Nectiag Of the captains Of ships and
officers q ships. belonging 10 the port Of Phi
,adeiPhia, at The y hite Horse Tavern, to
take into consideration certain public mea-
sures--there was an unusually numerous
meeting.
Capt. RICHARD O'BRIEN, was called to
,hc chair.
Capt. SAMUEL NEACocK, Secretary,
A.lcr some spirited and able observations
from captain " m. Jones, ON thc general CON
ccr;is OF the nation 1T this great crisis; and
some reference to the particular oLiect for
which the meeting was Cal.ed--the fUlow-
ing resolutions were carried unanimously,
with, the exception of a single no 10 the last
resolution and II was resolved to be publish
cd all the papers.
NeSoived, That it is not expedient fo,.
this mectiag--to adept any politics. mea-
sures in relation TO the ensuing election III
our professional capacity distinct from oar
fellow citizens-but that il is the duty Of
each individual to reserve TO himself the free
exercise OF his political rights, according to
the dictates of his own Judgement and consci-
cree
Rcaoircd, That the dcpredations and ont
RACES committed upon the persons and pro-
perry OF the citizens of the q. States, peace
ably and lawfully navigating the high seas
and the arbitrary prescription and absolute
inte:iictlon Of orr awful commerce, impe-
rative.y demanded OF the government of the
United States the adoption of such measures,
as in their wisdom appeSrcd best calculated
TO preserve and protect The property and
persons ofour citizens, and to secure to the
nation the means o. defence
He8oiUed, That the only alternative was
an immediate embargo, or war IN an an
fTefared sfate, with 20 thousand OF our
citizens, and nine tenths of the commercial
capital OF the nation, exposed 10 the depre-
dauons OF the eneny-that the laws LAYING
an embargo, >ai.ACu3h a.Choicc Of evil y have
had the happy ei.ect i'll preserving the peace
ci the country collecting the Commercial!
capital Of the nation-saviugf from bankrupt
c. orr insurance companes-and thousands
OF inCi' luaiS rom absolute ruin.
hat The pInatlons experienced from the
embargo, although maniiestly great, and de-
mand;nB high degree Of patience and pa
triotism, are comparatively light with that
which would have been produced by a war
OF the evils winch have been avcrtcd by the
en- barge.
Ec&5'Ued, That the causes which gave
rise t. tka embargo, appear still to exist il,
fnll fore, and are cyiuced b. the continued
condemnation Of vessels and property under
the obnoxious orders and DEGREES of both the
belIigcreHts, and the capture OF our vessels
even in ballast, sailing by especial permits
sion -four government
EeaoiCcd, Tia; the changes and events
which a.ole could authori.e The president Of
the Cui,cd States to suspend the EMBARGO
laws, have not taken place, & that tits the da-
ty Oh good citizens, faithful to the CONSTITUTE
Oh and laws, 10 wait .ih patience and inst
confidence, the dciberation and decision Of
the naunna, councils, who have a COMMON
Interest and having full information. will be
enabled 60 d-,ermine whether the disD9s;ti
oGs d the bclligerent powers are such as to
ensure safcty to cnr trade. or whethcra tenn
pordIy embargo IS more intoerabfe than an
appea! 20 srms.
RICHARD OBRIET, Chairman.
SAMUEL D. NEAcoCK, Sec'ry.