The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-08-22
fhesc papers will, no doubt, be com,nn-
hicatea Ia due time 10 Cougress......aae. Lf.

''' ~uS Hme 10 long ySsS.....-f0f. mt.
there is the strongest reason tn believe
ina, the hoic OF Mr. Canning of the Esd
OF Jan. was not framed as 4 guide to Mr.
ErsS'ne, OF with u view to it's being commu.
nicated toour government, SO muck as with
view to publication at a proper season to
produce an unjust impression of the scnti
nents OF our government and the disposition
OF his own. Had certain events occurred
this celebrated note would never have seen
the light. Not having occurred, it is usher
ca To the public as proof positive of the
nrn and unwarcriDg conduct of the British
ministry, and Of the pusillanmi,y of our
government Whatever the catastrophe may
be, 1t is calculated tina. the plot will answer
tor short period. 1t will in England COM
pletely gull the public credulity, and even
III TINS country, to our reproach, it must be
acknowledged, it will operate to a certain
extent. as a fire brand of discord. Until the
FULL correspondence is unveiled. we must con.
slider the fact of Mr.. Erskine's not having
communicated this dispatch, or having act.
ed under 1t, as evidence OF the existence of
other instructions of diffe, ent complexion.
+, But. in the mean time, while the public Gu.
riosity and interest are most alive, this is the
only paper published. In England, it will
nave the temporary effect OF giving popula!
Iity TO the miaistry, by the appearance of
hrmneSS OH their part, connected with the
great gains of her merchants and manufac-
tnrers. Although this last result be strictly
the result OF the arrangements made by, Mr.
Erskine. which his government disavows, it
has, nevertheless, taken special care to reap
the full harvest; and Mr.. Canning has pro-
badly calculated, that the ultimate award
OF his constituents will be in proportion to
the success of his measures, without a nice
discrimination with regard otis causes Ii
the dePredations committed OH our trade
(for they do not merit milder epithet, un-
der the terms of the disavowal. enrich tb,
English merchant and manufacturer. ENABLE.
them to resume the activity of their occupa
lions, by purchasing the goods of the former
and furnishing raw materials to the latter.
and furnish the government with naval sup
pnes' so essential to Its vigorous career, if
they supply the fund for new taxes or loans
to aid the operations of Spain and Austria,
MIR. Canning doubtless concludes. that this
breach OF good faith towards rival and a
republic will, amidst the blaze of triumph
and the intoxication of prosperity, be view
ed as mere peccadillo, if not s an accom-
plished stratagem. IF pressed hard, he will
conJure up the plea Of necessity, and shew
that the very existence OIL his country depend
ed upon the measures resorted to, and he
will demand to know Of what value the feel
ings or character OF an individual are, COM
pared with the salvation Of a nation. If, on
the contrary, all his gay hopes Of triumph
and victory fade away, and he and his CO.
adjutors are driven from the royal cabinet
by the clamors of distracted people, this
feature in their Conduct, it will be presumed,
will challenge but little regard amidst the
other numerous invas;ons of principle and
justice. The nation too, will be likely to be
satisfied with their fall. and in the hope Of
better times, lock forward instead of back
ward. The whole condlet of the prescnt
English ministry shows, that they hazard e.
very thing on a successful issue, rea!ising that
1t IS neck or nothing with them Ib