The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-09-02

ample could fy.-This tribute might be
ultimately as fatal to our Interests as it would
be to our honor. Alsiers receives small
tribute, because her situation prevents i.es
from extending very considerable immuni
| ty to Our trade. The theatre Of her piracy
Is confined to narrow spot. Ii is only with
In the mouth of the Mediterranean sea, and
at small distance within the Atlantic, that
her privateers roam in search of their prey.
The number of our vessels, therefore, for
whom our tribute purchases protection, is
ports, which zye nay her for the right e.
Privilege Of enferinS.-How different is the
maritime power of at-Brita,n Her ships
swarm in every part Of the Ocean There is
scarcely Port in the whole world, in going
to which, there is not almost an absolute GER
tainty of our meeting with her cruisers or
ships CT war. These are not only sometimes
found near tie ports OF our destination, or on
the high seas, but they come even within
the neighborhood of our own ports and har-
bors. 1t, therefore, the quantity of tribute is
to be proportioned to the immunity which
we purchase for our vessels, the amount
would be seriously oppressive to the trea-
sury and revenue of this nation. Where we
pay thousands of dollars to Algiers, we should
be called upon to pay millions of them to G..
Britain.-Bnt do not exactly perceive, sir,
by what refinement of reasoning you can eX-
tract onv thing like an Algerne tribute from
tho British Orders of Council?
FG'. BE not too sanguine, Sir. 1t is not
so difficult to draw some kind of parallel be-
tween the two cascs.--Let US suppose that
our government did not actually pay out of
us treasury, the present annual contribution
to the Hey of AlgierS but that efcry vessel
of the United States that was bound to the
tofitt e
capture by Algerinc pirates, should consent
to sail by Algiers, and pay certain price
for the privilege of Mediterranean Pass
or License. Let us suppose, that the a
mount thus annually paid by individuals,
should prove 10 be exactly equal to the sti
pulated sum, which is now paid by the gov
ernment Where, then, Sir. is the great
difference between these cases, to the inte-
rests and honor of the nation In the one
case, the government consents to purchase in
one inmh the privilege of navigating the
Mediterranean, to be extended to every A
merican vessel: In the other Case, it con-
sents to suffer each individual to purchase
| the very same privilege for himself. To me,
SIR there does not appear very broad shade
of difference between these two cases. 1t is
not of very material import to the honor of a
| nation, whether its government should itself
do the one, or suffer its citizens to do the o.
tner a government, which has been express
ly instituted to provide for the common de-
fence, promote the general welfare, and Sc
cure the blessings ofLiberty" to its subjec
| AS to the pecuniary interests OF the nation,
| it is not perhaps of greater importance. In
the one case, the sum is drawn from the purses
| OF the people in the ether. it is squeezed
from the same purses through the medium Of
the public cofers.-It would perhaps indeed
Nc. ,I a.
nation, If the purchasing of these licences
was left TO the government, rather than to in
dividuals. The government would purchase
y. the lump iii the whole sale or mercantile
immunity. individuals would buy by retail.
! The government might therefore purchase
! on cheafter terms, than its individuals could
separately obtain. The tribute besides would
be at least stationary for one year, and pro-
badly invariable for a series of years.
Whereas the price of each seperate licence
would probably increase with the cupiditv of
the pirate, and the increasing submission OF
! his victim.
hIer. But how does this apply to Great
! Britain
Fer. Why, reverse this operation, and
you will easily perceive it. Great Britain
says to US Z" hod the key of all the ports
OF the world. My triumphant feet com
mands every sea and nook Of the ocean, with
as absolute 4 sway as the Aigerine cosairs
command the pass OF the Mediterranean
Pursuing the policy OF that ciUiized nation
/ will compel you to pay me tor the priv
lege of entering these ports. You shall not
| go into Leghorn, or Bordeaux you Shall not
sail for France or Italy, without purchasing
a pass or lcence from myself. All your ships
and cargoeS, though they consist of your own
native productions, shall come to my ports
-,
will protect you against my cruizers, and
carry you safe to ports and through seas.
where your right of navigation is as great as
my own."--Now, sir, if the government OF
the United States acquiesce in this monstrous
encroathmeht on our rights, if they suffer
Great Britain to exact the price of this Ii
cense or pass from individual vessels why
not at once pay her stipulated sum, from,
our treasury, for suffering our vessels to en-
! JOY this trade, free from the interruption OF
her cruizers' Our government might per-
haps make 6etter bargain fur US by nego-
ciating in the lump. Two or three millions
of dollars might for the first wear content the
rapacity of Great Britain and all our YES
| seis would have British license without
each mans paying for it. Now, sir, you
must admire this mercantile kind Of ec0no-
my. 4 on are Tor the miserable, pedding bu-
siness or each mans making the best bar.
! gain for himself at the English custom-house
Now, why not pay for them all at once? In
Consideration of our wanting and taking a