The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-05-31
DOMESTIC.
FROM THE NosslroR.
ESSAY
ON THE RELATIONS OF THE .. STATES

\ > , n I
ON THE RELATIONS OF THE U. states
WITH G. B1ITAIN.
Newspapers Of a certain grade nave null
hpIied so exceedingly in The United States of
America and in England. that they have OBJ
tanned an undue infiuente over the public
mind. Ii appears as if All elemental studies
were despised as derogatory to the charac-
ter of modern politician /; for if we eX-
anime into the basis of those opinions which
Circulate freely in; society, and have pre-
vailing influence on the cbmnunity, we shall
and, with very fey exceptions, that the un-
digeste6 speculatious ofpur, gazette writer's
are the real foundation of them all The
STU. eri9sendanes of those popular vehicles
OF inflammation are themselves frequently
defective in understanding and Judgment
and In most instances are destitute Ct an e.
ducation suitable for their business they
are consequently often the unsuspecting
dupes OF their own crude notions; the indie
fatigable authors of the most ludicrous con-
ceits and absurd inventions Of the imasina-
ton /; and generally the incessant propaga-
tors OF very pernicious doctrines. 70 this
cause may properly be attributed The con-
tinued existence of that ignorance, which
furnishes to knavish men wide. field for
misr representing the best administration of
the government: and which it VIII invaria-
bly, afford, until the soil is weeded by abIer
hands.
Were men Of good natural parts, improV-
ed by reading and reflection, to conduct these
newspapers, they could not be rendered too
extensively influential am >g the people; foF
they would then be the real conseru1tars of
social and political order, which is directly
the antithess of what they are at present
do aot indulge, and therefore will not pro-
pagate the hope, that this ever will De the
case: But if any thing could coaduce toa re-
suit so extremely desirable, it would be the
transfer OF our faith from the columns OF
erring gazettes to the pages of books of esta-
blished veracity, and to the living volume of
mankind.
There are few newspapers in England
that are not devoted to some particular par
ty and they are therefore conducted in a
style calculated to accomplish the views Of
q party, more, than to communicate correct
Information 70 their readers. A very little
observation is sufficient to convince the mind,
that in all matters of British governmental
foicy, we cannot have a more dclusive cri-
terion to Judge by, before thc fact, than the
English newspapers. The press exists un-
der tendal al rangenient in Great Britain,
where the leading men are distinguished, not
by the number OF their vassals, as formerly,
butby the influence of those gazettes which
are retained for their service and animated
TOR thek, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, a British minis
try without the accompaniment of favorite
presses, would make figure quite as iud-
crous as troop of cavalry without "A trump
eter; and the eZertions Of the most furious
opposition would be speedily palsicd, we're
they net continually enlivened by the tonic
OF a newspaper.
and some that occupy very eievated posi-
a - he
speculative contests of those English prints,
and IN very grave and formal manner de-
clare, like Sir Oracle, that we may rely up.
on them as rnfallibie Indications, accord ns
to their tendency, OF hostility or friendship
in the British government for the United
States
With regard to rotation in the ministerial
ohces, ST. James is Infinitely more versatile
than the ~ildset democracy. In the Uni ed
States W change orr rulers in four wears
and Tor good man, the term is extended to
eight: But the pious saint OF Britain is so
extremely whimsical that his officiating vo-
taries are discarded as frequently in the pc
riod of Ole .ear. To regain their stations,
they turn patriots till received once more in
10 favor when they push the incumbents
IRON the chosen places in the ministerial
temples, and these last set up for honest po-
liticlans in their turns. For in England, as
Churchill said
Patriots and ministers ere muc6 the
90 same,
g The oniy diGfrence after al their rout,
is, that tie one is in, the other OUT
Nothing good for Great Britain or Ameri-
ca can proceed from this pronieacy of prin-
cipe; and it is the very pitls of folly to quote
the sentiments promulgated in English prints
III subServience to party views. as evidence.
OF what we are to- expect from such men as
have ruled eat.Britain for a long time
past The go eminent of the United States
cannot confde in those persons because it
pcrceives that they are not 50 ,irxious to eff
tect solid and durable peace between the
two countries, by n just settlement OF essen
tiai points IN dispute, AS they are eager TO
gain and secure personal influence and pow
er in the administration of British affairs.
by making the questions at issue between
the two nations instruments for their OWE
individual elevation.
IL often happens that the mass Of the peo-
pie, Judging by the honest feelings of their
nature, decide more corr ectly on great natl
onal questions than their rulers particuiarly
when the latter are governed by selfish
ambition, which makes their interest dis
tnct from the welfare Of the community.
AZ ibis moment there seems to exist such
distinction between the subjects of the Br
fish empire and those who govern them -
Whilst their valuable establishments IN the