The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-02-17

England, or its Rvsscssions, slallbe declared
soodprize whoeters may be the proprietors
of such commoditi. IS or merchSpdize, and
this decree is founded expressly Nu the or.
dominance of 1904.
1t is therefore an incontrovertible truth.
that France, from the earliest time, and GER
tainly prior to the year 1855, has adopted. in
principle, and in practice, broader rules for
limiting the commerce Of neutrals, and con-
demning their properly, and with fewer and
shorter intervals OF regard to their rights.
than has been assumed by her enemy, and Of
course could, on no ground be justified by
the pretence, that the decree Of November
1906, and the subsequent one of Milan.
condcmning the property of neutral, because
the vessels had been spoken with bv British
cruiZcrs. were u retaliation for similar vio-
lations Of public law by her foe.
The second resolve proposed assumes &c
a tact, that the measures adopted by the
Congress Of the United States, in the Iast
year, which we're the acts imposing an en,-
Barge on the trade of her citizens, were ne,-
SIRE, Of resistance against France and c.
Bitain An assumption which would be
scarcely decent fo' this Legislature to sdopt.
Wien the President had pledged his word.
winch ouSht:ob be sacred, to both those natl,
ons, thai they we're not measures of hostilitv.
rs appears by the letter Of the Secretary rs
state to me Minister of the United State,
atihe coUr. OF France, under date of Febru-
ANY S, 1903, and by a similar letter to our
Minister at the court Of London, under dat.
of Dec. 23, 1907.
And surely the legislature of Massacb,-
sets would be altogether unmindfu. of it's.
duties. Should they attempt to pledge the
people OF this commonwealth to sanction anv
measures the Congress might see fit to adont
af;crthe fatal experience If their measures
for hs tlSf "a n, roc Ill., 49,
intended, have produced only distress anv
wretchedncss.a at home, disgrace and derra-
dation OF our national character abroad
A short review OF the circumstances and
condition of the United States from The a.
dopt;on of its present constitution, and the
conduct Of the different administrations m
der them, may serve to shew what the inter.
csts and honor Of the nation did, and do re-
quire to be done. on the part of cur govern
ment.
1t is we'll known, that when Congress- 6rs,
assembled, under the existing constitution
the administrators was encomuassed win
the NEST serious embarrassment. Ut home
and abroad-emharrassmeRt arising out rs
the waste OF capital, the defect of credit and
waat os revenue al the Conclusion ot III.
war-embarrassrnents proceeding from the
reciprocal claims of the United States and
Great Britain, relative to the execution of
the treaty of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. con-
Corning the navigation of the Mississippi:
ana e,noarrassments, agsravating ali such
as before existed, which arose ont of tha
French revolution, and that were followed
by extensive depredations, committed on
ouscosTnercs BY Ensiind, by France and by
Spain.
With these obstacles to contend with the
peace. and neutrality of the nation were
impartially asserted and Observation-Disclosures
England our ancient controversial. We're ca.
t'sfactorily adjusted--the posts ON orr
frontiers were given up--inG,an wars ey.
tinguished-adequate Compensation, for de-
predations committed upon our t, ade. Oh.
tanned and the national faith redeemed. by
provisions for the tinai settlement Of Eri.
rSh debts BY Spain our right to the nay;-
CATION OF the Mississippi was recognized.
and indem nifty secured for the illegal can
ture OF our vessels.
With France, a new treaty was concI,.
ded annui!ing her unjust DEGREES, granting
US security, as far as the faith OF nations
can be so considered, against their future,
re .estaolishn,ent, and containing her sub
mission TO the act of Congress, which dec,ar.
ea the old treaties roid, by reason OF the;r
violations on her part.
Thus with foreign nations our ancient
controversies were adjusted, and those os I,
recent data and which had grown out of a
herce and unexanpied war, were compe-
sed.
AthoUe, agriculture, manufactures the
fisheries, navigation and commerce. were en-
couragcd. and extendcd--the credit of the.
nation was revived, its capital ENLARGED. and
its revenue estahiished-the public arsenals
were rcpienished, a naval force created and
the Aineric1n name upheit, and revered
Throughout the world.
In this condition of u~nexampled prosperity
at home, and OF peace and consideration a.
broad, our present rulers were called to the
administration Of the public aT!airs--Sc what
has been the fruit of their labors? Let the
following facts answer
Our Agriculture is discouraged,
Ihe Fisheries Abandoned, and
Navigation forbidden
Our at home restrained, IL not
annibilated,
Our Commerce abroad cut of. and
Our Navy sold, disnaDtlad, or DEGRADED
TO The service ofcutters and gun boats.
The revenue eXtinguished,
The course OF Justise interrupted,
The military power exalted above the ci-
vi. and BY setting up a standard ofpolitic2l
falth, unknown to the constitution, the nation
is weakened, by internal animositiey ard di-
vision, at the moment, when it Is unnecessari-
" & improvidentIy exposed to war with G..
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