The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-03-04
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

FOR THE En- QUIRER.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS, CONCERNING
The EMBARGO.
Every friend TO the peace, prosperity and
independently of his country, must feel great
sohcitude, in relation to Our concerns with
the beiligerent powers of Europe.
The proclamations of the British govern
ment, on one side, and the DEGREES of the
Emperor Napoleon on the other, leave to
neutrals no remaining claims to the freedom
OF the seas. 1t is not necessary to examine
which is the most or the least oppressive
which discovers the most blame. If an A
merican vessel under the present circum-
stances, shall pursue voyage to any part
OF the English dominions or dependencies.
she Will be subject to capture by the CRUZ
zers of France If a vessel shall pursue a
voyage to any part of the French dominions.
or to those OF the Allies of France, she will
be subject to capture by the British cruizers
Under such circumstances three things
are offered for our consideration-frst, to
form an alliance with Great Britain. and
thereby become the enemies of all the rest
OF Europe.--Second, to form an alliance with
France, and declare war against England
Third, to suspend all intercourse or connex-
ION with either, until our vessels can nayi-
gate the ocean in safety.
III We form an alliance with Great Britain.
we shall be entangled with, and must abide
by her fate. Our situation in that event will
be worse than that of colonists If we form
an alliance with France, our seaports. and
seabord settlements will be immediately ex-
Posea to British degradation and invasion
so tfat In either view, the alternative will
be dangerous, If not destructive
to the evils which result from the embargo.
1t is most true that we very sensibly feel the
effects or the embargo, and we are too ant
TO compare the present state of things, with
that winch might exist, if there was no EN-.
barge But let the considered, that the DOW
eItul nations now at war, are determined to
do to each other all possible injury-that we
nave no means to support our maritime rights
as an Independent nation, by force that war
with either will subject US in expences and
dangers OF far greater consequence than the
evils OF the embargo-and then we shall
ind reason for bearing in patience, an injury
we cannot avert without exposing ourselves
! to others of greater ma gnitude
! AS far as can ascertain the real state Of
things /; the embargo now seems to be ne
jcessary-and the only mean by which we
| can avoid state OF actual war and T am
| much mistaken, if we persevere with firm
ness and patience, if each of the belligerent
powers will not, in a short time, so far relax
from their present DEGREES, as to allow free
trade from the U. States with each. This
| may be fallactous speculation, but as the
prospects are pleasing, there will be graft
4 hcation even in the hope.
1t is our misfortune that many writer's as
well as publishers of papers, have ardently
adopted, one side or the other. Some cult;-
= he wi 20, =,
Britain, and would willingly entangle ms in
a war connected with that power: otbers
cultivate temper OF implacable animosity
against that government well the whole
nation. L he hrst ascribeS the disasters of the
embargo to France, the others impute them
| to G. Britain
| While such contradictory views sxist--it
a rupture should take place with either. there
would not be among us such cordial union
as III case OF war ought to exist. Our
strength consists in union A rupture with eli
ther, while the present temper prevails, will
be attended with disunion a rupture, there
tore ought to be avoided, until the aggressi-
ons OF one or the other, would leave MS nc
other alternative.
Providence has kindly blessed the L. States
with every thing necessary for the comfort
and happiness OF man. Foreign commerce
is necessary to promote wealth and grat;fv
luxury and ostentatien. Many politicians
believe that we should be more happy bv a
bandoning all intercourse with other nations
II ho1Sh am not prepared to adopt that q.
pinion, yet 1 am ready, under all circum-
stances, now to make the experiment, and r.
Continue an undertaking course, until not only
the seas but commerce shall be free.
| For pursuing this course, the Fmharoc
now affords tbs only method and time Wi
socn shew whether a free commerce with
the nations of Europe and their dependen-
Gies IS more necessary to them than to The
| United States. '"'
Such are the reasons which induce me r.
recommend to the people, to bear in pa
tience, the temporary evils PROCEEDING
from an embargo. Let us remember. ai
though they are great, that any other course
"ou'd at this time, expose us to others al
greater magnitude, the termination # which
VIII depend upon the Will and caprice n
those who are too powerful to be awed 81
comPebed' by this Course we shall rair
one great and essential point: That is. ;
cordial union and ardent cooperation in any
war into which VIC may be forced.
For these reasons think that the neorl,
| or nc United States, are called upon TO de.
clde, not merely between Great Britain and
france, but between peace and national in
dependency on one side, and war and ayarice
OH the other
} Under all the disadvantages of an embar