The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-08
ElrzAsKrn.C1rr. Nov. 2s

Carter, Buftcr, Griee and Gregory.
merchants in this city, dated flashing
foa, .Nop. 10 1908.
" We have just got through with the
reading of the dispatches from Messrs.
Pinkney and Armstrong, which accompa-
nied the presidents message. They con-
sist of a regular series of letters, part of
which were private extracts, and being
confidential were read with closed doors -
Icannot give you n thorough sketch in the
compass of letter /; but the sum of these
communications is that both powers have
been triiing and prevaricating with our en-
voys ; but were determined not to relax in
their monopolising and anti-neutral mea-
sures in a single degree. ! done know which
10 admire most the talents or the spirit of
our ministers They discovered share of
both highly honorable to themselves and to
their government They however seem to
differ with regard to the policy of the mea-
sures OF oUr government, particularly the
embargo Armstrong thinks the value of the
measure entirely over rated that we ought
to think of some other weapons .than impo-
tent words and recommends an armed
commerce. His notes to Champaign in re-
gard to some captures under the Milan de-
cree, are severe in the extreme, though
equally Just, Pinkney considers the policy
of the embargo, unquestionable and that it
must have its desired effect His letter of
the 2lst September on that subject gives a
most able and luminous exposition of the
true line of conduct we should observe to-
warsd England
He advises the continuation of the En-
barge and a total non-intercourse i'm the stron-
gest terms. He condemns the idea of any
attempt to open any trade with Spain and
POrtn tl,,y tote <~r. a..
Thinks If would return no equivalent advan-
tage: That it would create IN envious dis
tinction between our various productions =
Some Of the states furnishing articles suta-
bic and the others not: That the trade
would have TO 30 through the hands of Eng
land and then .''ove us with France and
that by the time Cur ships and cargoes made
their entry into those kingdoms, Bonsparte
would be ina situation to enforce his DEGREES
against them, ard expose us to the charges
OF cupidity and Unsuitable av@rice. He
thinks there is no doubt but that BonaDarte
will carry his point before that time, and adj
vises us above all things to adhere TO oLr pre-
sent system. He declares that 1T pinches
England very hard Notwithstanding they
pretended not to feel it.--Their harvest is
cut short, theirraw materia 'snearly exhaus-
ted, and that they are merely buoy ed UP
with the forlorn nope that we we're incapa-
bic of a longer seif-denal. Another fact ne
mentioned, not Immediately connected with
the subject, was their shipping Of large guam
tities Of cloth to Canada. for the purpose of
being snugg!ed into the United States
Both Of their opinions will be espoused by
different persons OH the floor but that those
OF Pinkncy will prevail have not a doubt
His being OH the spot, and being thought
fedevalist in politics will render them free
from the suspicion of prejudice or error by
his own party. They will be published, l
trust, for your information, when yon will be
able to judge for yourselves. In the gene
raj scope of nv conduct, shall cndeavor 20
support the peace, misunderstanding the no.
nor of the nation, and shall be particular
ly attentive TO any local advantages yhat may
occur for relieving the present piivations of
our district, by proposing some means to
get off our present heavy stock of produce to
the West Indies, all of which you Shall have
tim ely notice.
Being engaged at present on cossidera-
ton CT resolution offered by Mr.. Chitten-
den to repeal the embargo, l have troubled
my private secretary pro TEN. to copy nv
original letter, OF which this is a correct
copy"
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ELECToRAL COL
Yesterday at 10 o'clock, the Electors of
President and Vice-President of The United
States assembled in the Hall OF the House of
Delegates in the Capitol in this Citv-the
House having previously adjourned for this
purpose.-The members of both Houses of
the Legislature, and considerable con-
course OF Citizens attended, to witness tn
proceedings ofthis small but august body.
.1Hkhe ~ Electors, who had been chosen
by the feofie, were notwithstanding to
the law OF Virginia, if any Elector does not
make his appearance, by a certain time on
the previous day, the vacancy is supplied by
appointment Of someperson within his district,
by a joint ballot of both houses of the Legis-
Iature: If the original Elector does not make
his appearance by a certain time on the day
th the Election, the Elect thus nominated
is TO supply his place. On Tuesd4y, the Lee
.:islaturc received iBtimation from the Elec-
tors, that Mr.. John Brooke one of their BODY,
had not yet appeared. The house COME
quently elected George Graham, Esq. of the
county of Fairfax, with about or 6 dsscn-
ting votesto supply this provisional vacan-
cy.-Mr. Brooke however arrived, in the
rourse OF the evening, aud took his place in
the college of Electors
SPENCER RoAEE, Esq. one of the JUDGES
Of the Court Of Appeals, was called to the
chair; and Theodosas Hansford Esq was
appointed Secretary.
On motion, the amendment Of the consti-
tuition of the United States relative to the APP
poirtment of the President and Vice presi-