The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-09-16


{ period OF their meeting is as early as in this
extensive country, they could be fully con-
tvenedby special call. -
should, with great Willingness, have OK
IecGted the wishes OF the inhabitants of the
town of Boston, had peace or a repeal of the
obnoxious edcts, or other changes. produced
. the case In which alone the laws have given
me that authority: and SO many motives of
Justice and interest lead to such changes. that
we ought continually to expect them. But
while these edicts remain, the legislature a
lone can prescribe the Course to be pursued.
TIL: JEFFERSON.
.dng. %, 1908.
The Presidents answer to the Newbury-
port petition, is nearly verbatim with the a
| bove.
The Fcderalists have reproached our ad-
ministration with submission to France
thinning In with the insinuations of Mr..
Canning, they have asserted that Mr. JEFF
ferson burst not take any steps towards con-
citation with England, without having pre-
vIously consulted the wishes of France. Its
hence that cur messengers have always
touchcd at France before they proceeded to
IEngland-But how completely do recent
facts dissipate this illusion The federal
prints are now the first to inform us, that it
was not until ''after the arrival of the O.
sage, that the Order 'given to the Coun-
Gil OF Prizes, not to proceed on American
cases was rescinded 1t seems that soon
after her arrival, "a counter order was pi-
ven," and three vessels were immediately
condemned For once then, gentlemen, have
the honesty to confess, that Mr.. Jefferson
mas taken high and independent ground as
10 france that his propositions to the French
government, IT he has made any. have fallen
short OF their wishes-and that instead of
soothing them by submission, he has resisted
all their demands
we should not now be astonishcd to see
these gentlemen reversing their attacks, &
instead of charging Mr.. j. with a submissive
acquescence in the mandates of the French
Emperor, reproaching him with the exhi-
bition OF high and infexible spirit No
thing suits these gentlemen. Thev Law
Mr. Jefferson on their bed of Procrustes-" If
TOO long, he is lopt-if too short, he is stretch
ed" Hithertoit has been the cry of French
Irfuence-but it would not be astonishing.
II ere long they were to apply the same re-
marks to our French, as they have done to
our British relations-that the administrati-
eli wanted that moderate share of rood
temher and address," which might have Sc
cured us from the operation of French de-
CreeS.
In one respect, the advocates of the Ernhar-
go do not stand upon equal ground with its
opponents.-The evils and inconveniencies
OF the Embargo are before our eyes They
are facts, ON which any man can expatiate
and reason.-But the evils of any other ex-
Pedlent are not completely realized. We
can speculate Oh them with immense force
or reasonng.-Rut it is still, for the most
part, speculation combating experience
conception combating fact. 1t is impossible
that any other system could have come into
operation, at the same time, with the en-
barge The embargo could not have been
oG & on at the same time.-Those therefore,
who advocate this measure, though they are
surrounded by the strongest probabilities,
are yet obliged to contrast facts, which no
man can destroy, with probabilities, which
prejudice may deny, or ignorance may not I'M
derstand.
1t is easy for any man to find fauh A
painter may pour groupe of horrors upon his
canvass but who, that was confined to a
choice OF horrible subjects, could represent
a landscape of beauty and festivity Our
choice was of necessity to be made" out
OF difficulties alone."-It was not choice out
OF goods and evils; but of evils alone.-IYar
--on6ntsSton---or the---Embargo, were the
alternatives presented. What patriot could
have hesitated about the choicel
The documents presented in this DAVIS pa
per, are OF extreme Importance.
lie records of concentrations made both
IN the English and French Prize Courts, are
sufhcient to display the real spirit of Euro
Pean DEGREES, and the dangers to which our
vessels and property on the high seas are Ii
able on the. most frivolous grounds---The
answer OF Thomas Jefferson to the Petition
OF the inhabitants of Boston is worthy of him
self and ofthe cause of his Country. When
Snch men are permitted to preside over our
AFFAIRS, the rights and the honor of the Uni
ted States are committed to their best de-
tenders.---What patriot American will not
/ concur III the sentiment of our patriot Pre-
s'dent, that, I" to have Submitted our right
1ul commerce to prohibitions and tributary
cXacuons from others, would have been to
surrender our independence ~ What patri-
OF American will not act upon this sentiment (,
The FedetGHsts and the minorifv-uen
nave censured the embargo. They have at
tempted to exeaggcrate all its evils and in
fconveniences-But whilst they have agreed
TO denounce u, they seem to have formed no
very dehnitive or consistent views of a sub
! 8fttHte.-One is for war-another is for
throwing our commerce into the hands of
England-a third, for unqualified submission.
The last seems to be the general favorite
OF the opponents Of the embargo