The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-15

measures however, keep out of view the eff
tects OF these DEGREES and attribute the des-
'ruction OF our commerce and all the pres
sure caused by Great-Britain and France to
the embargo alone
he destruction of our commerce howe
yer by these DEGREES is not SO serious as tho
principle they involve. 1t is an attempt on
'he part CT each of the beligerents to mo-
nopolise our commerce. The right of ne
non to transport the produce of its industry
to ali places where the local regulations of
the particular sovereignty permit, is as per
lsct right as the right of soil or any other.
1t cannot be abandoned by any nation with
cut surrender of independence. Men of
all parties united in the sentiment that these
pretensions on the part of the belligerents
must be opposed
The only question is what course ought to
nave been adopted at the time the embar-
go law passed.
FOR war we were not Mt that time pre-
pared,-t.ven if we had been prepared, its
immediate declaration would have lost to
the United States the commercial Capital
Ar that time on float. At the time of the at
tack' on inc Chesapeake, we had upwards
OF 100 millions of dollars on float. In the
East Indian trade alone SO miilions.-To
nave continued our commerce without arm
ing our merchant vessels would have been
impossible.
Ii the merchants had been permitted to
arm we might have forced against France
a commerce with England and its depen-
acncies, amounting to 81 millions of dollars,
leaving II millions deprived of market by
the British orders OF council. Tohave done
TINS "ou!1 have been to submit to the nation
from whom we had received the greatest
injuries and to make war on the other Ii
would have given to Great Britain the ex
elusive monopoly of car commerce, aided
20 her resources insolence and power,
wnile we were writing under the lash
Withdrawing from the ocean for time.
until the nation could be placed in situation
TO assert and maintain its rights, was consi-
ocred as the only practicable and honorable
course.
Inc embargo has been represented as
permanent measure by the enemies of the
administration, and as the emily resistance
winch they meant TO oppose to insult and
blows.
~ has never been supported as perma-
nert measure. 1t had two objects in view
the LIST. to preserve our commercial capital
ana give time to prepare the means for as
sorting our rights. The I'd. to withhold
supplies tor which the belgcrents were
considered as dependent on the u. States
The first object has been completely effect
ed-Our commercial capital has been pre-
served and we have been and are still 20
Ing on with our preparations.
he second object has not had fair ex
pertinent partly from the circumstances
winch were brought to bear on the measure
IN the Eastern States, bu, principally from
Great-Britain's having the command of the
ocean and affording a facility to her agents
III this country for cvading the law-All the
eV"slons that have taken place (Which are
worthy OF notice. may be traced up to the
authorised agents of that country and topper
sons who feel for the convenience and inte-
rest OF Great-Britain, more lively sensibili-
~ than Tor the honor or independence OF the
United States. This is the reason of the an
parent contempt with which the agents of
Great-Britan affect to treat this measure.
Until IL was found, that by means of the old
tories and OF her subjects in our commercial
towns, the embargo could be evaded, it ex-
cited serious alarm in Great Britain. This
IS the real secret and not the prospect of get
ting provisions from South America, which
Is Just as chlmerical as the idea of their es-
taDllshing Cotton plantations on the coast Of
Africa. We have the best authority for be.
lleving that this measure has been severely
feit by Great Britain, and that it will be
more severely felt if it can be properly in
forced.
No change has taken place in Furope
which holds out to the United STATES the
prospect OF more lucrative or honorable
commerce than at the time the Embargo law
passed. The situation of Spain and Portu-
gal Isto uncertain to have any effect on the
measures Of the United States-and we ex
port to both these powers only 5,527 1858 dol
lars OF Domestic articles.
lhe Senate rejected with ONLY six dissent
ing voices, the proposition to repeal the en-
b"rgo iaw.-It is probable it will be strength
ened with new provisions and total non in
terc9nrse with England and France.
tave no hope that either of these pow
erS yll withdraw their DEGREES and orders
nor do at present SEE any termination &c
our differences but War. Totake oTthe en-
Dargo at present, would afford TO relief &c
ourselves, would bring on war before we
are prepared, and furnish one Of the beli-
gerents with supplies for fleets and armies tc
annoy us.-Grcat- Britain has at present a
ileet at Halifax with 600 men, which, whe.
ther intended for the United States or not
/ nave no DISPOSITION to supply either with
comforts or neceSsaries.
dhe Report of the committee on FOREIGN
Relations is still before the House-1t vii
be adoptedby very unanimous republican
vote--Every cTcrtion will be made for piac.
| ing the nation in a situation to call into ac
| ton all It's resources, and tic Feriod, be
HeUe, Is MT distant sohen zoe s6aH be adj,
~ return somc Of the bi1scs 7oficf hare "a
4 L.. 4