The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-01-21
S Sd Poye1

, to cripple our navigation.
Before the treaty of 1894, she harrassed
and pillaged our commerce on the high seas,
retained our posts on the northern frontiers,
eleven years. aud mstigatcd the savages
OF those regions TO war; supplied them
with. provisions and ammunition, with the
rife and the t~omahawk, and Dy them
tesolSted our infant settlements, Since
that period she has iDvSri@bly pursued a
systemd destructive TO our commerce, unheard
'sf in other DAYS, and unknown to the law of
~nations, BY issuing DEGREES of blockade
where she had not even 4 pretended force to
support them. BY laying invidious taxes on
iter manufacturers for our Consumption which
were not extended to Other nations; and
By unjust seizures and condemnations. She
has seized thousands OF our citizens while
under our protection and at the point of
the bayonet, forced them into her service, to
FIGHT h erbatties, and To assist in plundering
ss.ia;r a~:2 :c:GiGneGe a.a kindred She has
violated our rights of sovereignty. bv seiz-
ing our metchantmen in our waters: by
bll ckadjng orr bays, ports and harbors !;
and in enc of them, 10y destroying the
life of a citizen. Cur demand of " salts
faction for the past and security for the tu-
lure" proved frnitless. Oar merchants pc
titioned for protection and redress Apar-
tial non importation law was passed, to take
effect at a day then distant, that time might
he allowed hcr 60 reject on the consequences
which m list result from her continuance in
this unparalleled system of aggression. The
ministers OF this nation were directed to as
sure her of the continuance of our pacific
disposition, and if possible to reclaim her
from the course of aggression, to an observ-
ance of national law. Atreaty was formed,
its merits l know not, but the signature on
her part was accompanied with a resrvati-
on ofthe right to destroy Cur trade, il we
did not resist he DEGREES of France in a
manner to her satisfactory ; and it was re-
Jected by our executive.
The partial non-importation law was sus-
pended. Again the olive branch was offer
cd, and again 1t was trodden under foot.
What foilowede In June, 1907, your nation
al ship was unexpectedly attacked in your
waters, your mariners were killed, while
in the service of their Country, your FJt-
gate iowertd its flag, and from it were TAX
en- your seamen. The act was disavowed,
but mark One of yourseamen acting UNI
der the authority ofyour government, in Con-
tempt of 1t, and of this nation, was alter
wards deliberately put to death.
Is there a point beyond which a nation
ought not to bear? And did we not then
reach that pointl Still our love Of peace
prevailed. Once more,we tried negotiation,
and once more We met insult and con-
tumelv.
Believing we feared war, and governed by
no principle other than misiudged self-inte-
rest, she resolved no annihilate our COM
merce. except with herself.
In November, 1882, she, by her orders
in Council, resolved 70 seize and condemn
all our commerce Sound to any port. except
Sweden, of the continent Of Europe.
In short, in the language of that instrument
which pronounced US a nation, :. she has
q va1 an yuIrhnn NM Conv.n cat nG- o-,
trade With most parts of the world, plum
dered our seas, and destroyed the lives Of
our people"
Between these powers 7 will not hold the
scales o. an apothecary, to decide whose Of
fences outweigh by a grain or a .cruple.-
Nor will detain you 10 refute those seg-
gestions in favor of either which are offered
By their partizans, or arise from JEALOUSY.
In this situation, your executive recon-
rnended, and congress established an en-
barge. of the orders in council he had
certain, though not official intelligence, &
the suggestions of opposition to the contra
ry, are founded at best in error. Here was
presented tnat case in which politicians of
all parties have agreed that an embargo is
both proper and necessary. A government
Informed Of facts which clearly proved that
the interests Of were exposed to
Imminent hazard, yet so circumstanced that
it could not with propriety communicate this
knowledge.
In a similar case, Washington recommen-
ded an embargo; and Jefferson followed the
example.
This measure presents itselfin two lights.
flrst-Asa precautionary measure; to save
our merchants from the evils of seizure, CON
demnation, and confscation /; to bring home
our wealth, our navigation. and our sailors,
that their energies might be applied. when
V ;essary, in support of the nation; and for
&c moment to withdraw, from the element,
where alone we can be materially annoyed,
that the aggressors might review their con-
duct, and its consequences, before a final APP
peal ia war. The wisdom of the measure
for these purpos es is incontestible and it
has received most universal appreciation.
Secondly-As an act of coerci ion by the
privation inflicted, to teach aggressors to
treat this nation with respect. In this light
1T is to be considered as a political expert
nent, not as the forerunner Of the annihila-
ton Of our trade.
If it proves successful, the Affections of
your co nmerCe will cease, and never ne re
III - ---:-~ "vfent F"ary man
VIII applaud the measure. It's preference
70 war is incalculable. One gives a TEN.
porary check to our prosperity tn. other IN
PRODUCES almost every evil incident to human
nature Ohe can bs re moved when the ma
tion WIS 1T the other continues during the
pleasure Of a foreign nation. One hazards
MT IL ...f 49, q - e. 80.