The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-06-21

of the United States, of the Emperor's
intention enforce mis- decree OF the Goth
december; and undertakes to explain the
aggression our nation has suffered from that
OF Great-Britain.--He goes further he de-
clares, that a war, exists in fact between
Z" England and the United States yet con-
" sidcring the United States as associated
'wth the cause of all other powers who
have to defend themselves against England
I" declares that, therefore, he has not taken
- any dehnitive measures against our vessels
:" which had, AT that time, been captured BY
% his cruzers, under the decree of the Goth
''of December"
In a communication of this kind, it is
impossible to be more particular, i'm stating
our situation in regard to our foreign rela-
tions with those two powers. / have been
faithful, and have eRdeavored to be correct
In this intricate and perplexcd situation
1t may be unprecedented, with great anxiety,
that false step, or an erroneous calculate
on, or a fallacions expectation of foreign aid
may involve us, and our posterity, in ire
trievable misery and disgrace.
1t it natural 'iere to recur TO the danger of
placing confidence in foreign alliance, for
the support of our national independence.
When we turn our attention to ancient
and modern history, we arc convinced, that
there never was a nation, which had placed
its hopes as to maintaining it's sovereignty
and independence, on Other powers but what
has been reduced to conquest and misery
10 this truth, solemn and interesting as it is,
we have proof, from numerous instances,
which have very recently taken place. The
whole face of Europe has been changed with
in a few years; some nations are erased
from the list of monarchies and republics
and others, her etofore considered as respec-
table, and not few of them invincible, If
they had depended on themselves, have now
the mere shadows of sovereign power. My
sentiments OF the means necessary to main
tain our national character, may be commu-
nicated in very few words.
A great politician in Europe, lays it down
as maxim, that " there can be no concord
or unity, in "anation but where there is only
one supreme power" This valuable senti-
ment is expressed by President Washington,
in more beautiful language, in his valcdicto-
ry address to the U States 80 The unity
g. OF government, which constitutes you one
people, is also dear to you it is Justly SO, for
It's the main pillar in the edi6ce of your
g real independence, the support of yonr
'' tranquility at home, your peace abroad !;
"of your safety,o of your prosperity; of that
every liberty, which you so highly prize"
The benefits of this union, that great Sol
der and Statesman had been a witness to.
If in the revolutionary war, any one, even
the smallest State in the Union had with
drawn itself from the confederation, IL -ouitl
have deranSed, nay probably defeated all
our efforts
The contest arising from the opposition of
one or more of the states TO the authority OF
the national government, / call rational
anarchy. This is a more dangerous and dis
tressing evil than the anarchy resulting, in
Common instances, from the commotion of
subjects rising against civil government be-
cause the opposition in this case would, as
tlch state has separate form of government,
be organized at the commencement of its in
surrectien, and the calamities would be in
creased in proportion as the states should be-
come divided, as states, from the general 60
Vernment
The scenes of blood and carnage, in other
nations, seriously admonish us of our dangers,
and ought to convince us, that we can avoid
them in no other way 6ut by The free ere,'cise
Of the general government, in all concerns
within its powers, as delegated by the peo-
pie, and BY restricting the state governments
to these lines of power which were desig-
mated when the federal government was cary-
cd out of them
IL the constitutions of our national and state
governments are what they were intended 10
be, when established, they rest on the pillars
VI IL ueH, bSi ali uCtS ptlOilS, intrigue ana ms
representations are opposed to the nature of
their existence.
Those nations which thus interrupt our
Commerce, do not act from enmitv to ours
but from what they cChceive to be necessary
to their own interest and security vet, as
under the forms of orders and DEGREES, they
have done it, they are thus far to be consider
ed as common enemies, against whose ag-
our natural rights are to be defend
ed. We caAnot resign our neutral flag and
our commerce to the direction of any power.
No price Is too great to be paid for the main
tenance of our independence. No calamity
can be so dreadful as subsection to a foreign
power. The nations of Europe, though vast
ed by wars, are oppressed with an excess of
population their manufactures of those ar
tiC.cs which they cannot afford to use at home,
are their support under an intolerabe weight
of taxes. The United States exhibit a pleas
ing contrast. Spreading themselves through
every climate, inc uding every soil, and pos
sessing every advantage of navigation de-
lighting in that commerce which returns the
gold and Injuries of every nation for their
ray materials the energy of their innate
entcTprize must still enCrease. Europe will
no. be incautious enough TO urge us to the
iiaDit Oh wearing the wool of our own fiocks.
instead OF foreign cloths; spinning and weav-
ing bur own flax, for ouI own dress, Weaving
our own cotton instead of sending it TO be ma
11uf4cfurpl and dvad In E,rc,,a -.