The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-03-24

"lfH u " ~ w t8Ct WI against ~
nations having equal rights with herself to navi-
gate the ocean,. Iteompels all other nations Ell
Their to surrender to Great Britain the monopoly
OF the commerce of the world, o: to submit to
such rules as she shall prescribe for conducting
1t. Tins eStravagnt notion wa conceived bv
the British jurists as early as the commencement
OF the French rerolutioh, and since the destruc-
ton ofthe French aeet at Touion, the govern.
mcnt has made several attempts TO Introduce ii
INTO ppactice sometimes with more, sometimes
with less restraint ordisguise. 1t is impossible for
me to refer to all the instances ofthis kind ; | must
therefore, turn the recollection Of the senate gener-
ally TO the various orders issued since that time re.
straining neutral commerce., in utter contempt of
all public law, and acknowledged neutral rights.
During the latter part Of Mr.. Pitts administra.
ton this doctrine had become popular, and it
was resolved to put it into practice. 1t was
however deemed proper to prepare the world
Tor the reception of the monstrous pretension /;
accordingly n pamphlet was written as the pre-
cursor ofthe system proposed to be introduced
Tor the government of the commercial world. l
pay but little respect to pamphlets in general.
and should not now, but the pamphlet alluded to
has always been represented as written under
the direction of the then British ministry, and in.
tended to prepare the world for this new system
OF commercial warfare and in this point o fview
1t is entitled to the most serious consideration.
ana the rather, as the course of policy recon-.
mended by 1t, has since been strictly pursued
by the British ministry, and they have even exten.
ded the system since beyond the utmost limit
prescribed in that work.
The pamphlet alluded to, is entitled " War in
Disguise" beg to call the attention of the sem
ate to two or three short paragraphs therein.
ihey viii be found in the pages eight and nine.
Have we then lost the triumphant means Of
. such e~ffectial warfare Or have the ancient fields
OF victory been neglected?
Neither such a misfortune, nor such folly, can
ne Hlle1r0d Narn. N-.. -
: ority more decisive than in the last and present
: war. We are still the unresisted masters ofe-
very sea and the open intercourse of our en-
emies with their colonies, WAS never so com.
. Pletely Precluded.'
Here the pretension ofthe unresisted masters
OF the ocean is explicitly assumed, and it can
hardly be necessary to remark, that the whole
policy in the book, is founded uD-
on that assumed principle. Again, in tile pages
ioo, 1874, IN considering the prudence of applying
the proposed remedy in regard to the colonial
trade. l find these expi essions {:
The sum of all these opposing considerations
seems to be this, " we may provoke a oua-re,
: with the neutral powers" l propose, therefore,
briefly to consider, first, the degree of this dan
ger and next, whether the evils of such a
"A. quarrel, ii certain, would be greater than
those to which we at present submit.
1t IS certain, that should his majesty's govern
ment think fit to recall the indulgent %instruc-
NN' ''SS q oCCh SO IuC dDuSSQ, ana revert
. to the rule ofthe war of1756, with4such modif-
cations only as can be safely allowed, great ella
mors would immediately arise in the neutral
countries The neutralizing agents, deprived
OF a large portion of their fraudulent gains,
would exclaim aloud against the measure ; and
even such merchants as have carried on the CO.
ioHIal trade on their own account, would not be
well satisfied to find their field of commerce
materially narrowed by the assertion four bel.
. ligerent rights.
The neutral governments therefore, would
no doubt, complain and demonstrate " but
would they, iffirnly, though tel. ,~,erately resist
ed, push the controversy into a quarrel p,
9 Would they maintain their pretensions to the
Trade IN question, at the expence of a war
with Great Britain J l firmly believe they
8 would not
These Passages serve to shew, that the princi-
pie was assumed with a full knowledge of its de-
s~tructive influence on neural rights.
The next, or the Fox administration, seemed
to think there was some hazard and delicacy in
making this unprovoked attack upon the rights
OF all nations, and seemed to entertain some
doubts OF the practicability of the proaigate sys.
TEN but they were compelled by the infatuated
Jufists OF the day, TO make some essay towards
carrying 1T into effect witness their orders of
January Z, 1907 interdicting neutrals from going
from one port to another port Of their enemy
ms extraordinary order too, was issued only
seven days after signing a treaty of amity and
of the United States. But, sir. this
partial compliance with the public sentiment
could not retain them in office. The little res
p,ect they retained for neutral rights, and their
timid doubts, were amongst the causes which
drove then from Office, 10 make way for an en-
ergetic administration One totally destitute of
all respect of public law, and for neutral
rights. Destitute Of all the scrupIes and obi
cations of justice. / propose to give a short
sketch of the history of this energetic admins
tration
LIST. AS its operations have affected other ma
tons.
2ndly. As they have affected the United
States
Let us see the consequences which have re-
suited, and which are likely to result from this
energy, originating in folly and in pride. Stimu.
lated to its ends, in utter disregard of every
principle of justice and of public law. and di-
rected to unattainable objects. Permit me. sir.
IN this exposition to pay some attention to dates.
Ihey will serve to illustrate some of nv ideas.
The change of ministry took place either In the
month OF January or February, 1907. Preparati-
ons tor executing this lawless system of energy
were made with great activity, and IN the month
ct August following, they were made to burst
upon the head of an unsuspecting and unoffending
friend.
In that month, a surrender Of the Danish feet
Is demanded. This demand is founded u a
false suggestion That the Danes had, by Sc
cret article IN the treaty of Tilsit, agreed to give
49, NIA-.. n o.