The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-06-30

ed to the improper ground which she hat
previously taken. 1t is said that French
armed vessels are nov excluded our waters
and this was not the case when former pro.
positions were. made to rhe British ministry
and that we are now in the situation. as it res
poets France, that Great Britain wished
Admit all this, and what is the result Tina,
France had done nothing to induce an inter
dict Of her armed vessels when the attack
was made on the Chesapeake, which. was
the principal, though not the only event
which produced the proclamation Of inter-
dict against G reat Britain---and certainly no
American would wish to take hostile mea-
sures against nation, without previous sg-
gression.
After this proclamation of interdict, Bo-
naparte executed his Berlin decreee, issued
his Milan decree, burnt our vessels upon the
high seas, Interrupted our commerce in the
Mediterranean and the channel. Congress
convened. and in consequence of these ag-
gressions, we passed a law extending the
intertIict to French and English armed YES
sels.. Governed by, the same policy, we pro-
ceeded against both nations as our injuries
multiplied, and not because either nation re-
quired it against the. other The measures
OF this government have been opposed in this
House because it seemed to some that their
effects would be more Injurious to Great
Britain than France. / presume gentlemen
will now be satisfied of thestric. line Of neu-
trail conduct which has characterized the
American people towards the two rival pow
ers of Europe; or that our measures were
equally hostile as it respected both nations,
since it has been asserted even in the Par
Lament OF Great Britain. II has not only
been proclaimed in the Parliament, but by
the government of Great Britain, through
their minister at this place, in the late ne
quotations. This is a triumph to good prin-
ciples. -. -
1t is a painful subject, sir, but ! must speak
of the conduct of re opposition, since they
modestly assume to themselves the credit Of
saving this nation from impending calamity.
1t is novel, though not surprising. (for nothing
now is to be wondered at) that those who
vote against measures should claim the Gre
dit of the good arising from them, while
those who supported these measures only
should bear the blame, and be responsible
for all the evils which naturally result from
the best measures. This doctrine once es-
tabiished will make a new code of politics
Those who oppose measures are entitled to all
the good resulting from them; and these who
voted for them, are to be responsible to the
nation for all the evils they produce. This
claim is too absurd and ridiculous to need
comment. But let us examine the conduct
connected with the politicsof the opposition
We were advised to repeal the partia. non
importation law to rescind the proclama-
ton of interdict against British armed YES
sells ; to repeal the embargo and in short,
to retrace our steps and undo every thing
we had done to resist the aggressions of G.
Britain. In addition to this, we were told
by the opposition, that Great Britain was
fighting for existence; that in fact she was
fighting our battles; that she would never
yield to our restrictive system; that we had
no just cause of complaint against Great
Britain ; that this government were in the
wrong (; thar we should unfurl the republican
banners against the Imperial standard. and
much more such language. What humila-
ton do we find here The mind of every
member of the American community should
sicken at the recital. What terms of ac-
COMMUNICATION would this course have protlu-
ccd? l will not condesccnd TO conjecture
them.
(Ue6ate TO be Continued J