The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-06-24
Frsa. the National Intel,igeneer.


the examination, before the British house of
commons, of witnesses on the petitions for
revocation of the orders of council, made
an the latter part Of the month of March,
his document contains matter nearly equal
TO the usual contents of an octave volume
Notwithstanding, therefore, its highly inter-
esting nature, it is impossible TO give its con-
= tents fully in detail. Their general character,
however, is too important to pass without no.
tice. The information given is by men of
great wealth and responsibility, men of prac-
teal knowledge, and rich in the treasures of
experience. twill be found to confirm eve
ny leading argument taken in this country on
the side OF the embargo, and, consequently,
to strengthen the proofs OF tie wisdom of the
course pursued by our government.
With the view of shelving the spirit of this
evidence, we shall offer selection of some
of its most prominent points, observing that
these are fully confirmed by all the Witness
es examined .
THAT the Berlin decree was not the
cause of the British orders; that in fact it
was not previously enforced. On this point
the facts stated are conclusive, proving that
there was no previous condemnation under
that decree, and that, although before the
explanation of the minister DEGREES there wa Is
a temporary rise of insurance, yet that it
Immediately thereafter fell to the ordinary
rate.
9. That the determination Of the British
government to issue their orders was we'll
known for some weeks previously in Eng
land, where it had considerable effect on
their commercial concerns, and tibet such a
purpose was communicated through hume
rous channels to this country, and, with other
causes, led to the embargo.
3. That the immediate effect of those or
ders in England, was to interrupt CONNER
cial transactions with this Country long be-
fore the embargo was known that they
were considered as likely to lead to war !;
and, at all events, to destroy the American
trade and that this effect was so extern
: sively produced, that shipments from Eng
land to the continent could not be made but
at certain loss.
a. That the non-importation act is viewed
in England in the just light of an amicabe
and precautionary measure on the part of
this, government, and did not excite any con-
siderable uneasincss in the merchants of
England.
$. That the immediate effect of the Brit
ish orders, before the embargo was known,
was to diminish to great extent the NUM-
Der OF manufacturers employed in England (;
many OF whom were thrown altogether out
OF employ, and others continued at work at
rates proportionate to the time they ere en-
ployed, which, in some instances, is but two
OF three days III the week.
6. That it is a general practice for the
subject of Great Britain, engaged in that
Country in trade, to have as partner, a CT
tizen of the United States; the object being,
it is presumed, to evade orr revenue laws
with regard to foreign goods and vessels, as
well as to secure their effects from any dan
gers apprehended from sequestration, con-
kscation, &c.
z 1t appears that the real credit general
iy given to our merchants is about eighteen
months. This confirms the usual estimate
of commercial debts due to English mcr-
chant: sc being about twelve millions stcr-
ling, or forty eight millions of dollars. Add
to this their property in our stocks banks,
&c. and it is not, perhaps extravagant to
compute the whole at hundred millions,
which would be jeopardised by war. Will
not this operate as powerful restraint with
the British ministry
8. 1t appears to be the general impressi-
on Of the British merchants, that while the
orders continue, the American embargo will
and ought to Continue that if the embargo be
removed, the British orders continuing, it
would make but little difference in their
shipments that it is absurd to expect that
we should submit to these orders that they
would if acqniesced in, be ruinous to our
trade, either by cutting it off altogether, or
by producing glut in the British market
which would depress the prices of eur pro-
duCe to n ruinous extent.
9. 1t appears that England is absolutely
dependent upon us for naval stores.
10. 1t appears that intelligent Englishmen,
who have lately been in this country, enter
rain high opinion of the quality of those
articles manufactured by us, and consider
our manufactures as rapidly on the increase.
Mr.. George IVilliGm Wood.-1SM day of
March.
Q. You have alluded to the present inter-
ruptions in the intercourse between the two
countries, the cause to which you impute
the protesting the acceptances.: in conse-
quence of this interruption, have you restric-
ted your shipments of late to America! A.
My house has not made any Shipments to
America duriag the present season.
In consequence of this have you either
dismissed hands employed in your manufac-
tory, or given fewer orders to the manufac-
turers for work. In consequence of the in
terruption which has taken place with A
merica, my house has reduced its manrfac-
tory to nearly one half of what it was six
months ago; III
In what way has this reduction been eff
fected9 BY limiting the quantity which each
workman was allowed to do in a given time.
~ 49, he Ioe