The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-08-25


~al, and such " case neutrality is crime a
gGivSt ciris,r 20 SoscIu Kos address to the
Poles, OH tkc 24tk March, 1874.
hese'memorable words, which Kosciu :
ko addressed to his countrymen, it is time
for us to use towards every man in the u
nited States. He who does not stand by us
now, is ali alien in his interests & feelings
and deserves not to enjoy the light of that
sun, or the dispensations of that government,
which cheers the American soil.
We have reached q crisis, when the acts
of the British government declare their reso-
luton, to reduce us to state of colonial pcS
Saidyc on the seas-and to regulate our com
merce at their discretion.
There has been much stress laid upon the
nature ofMr. Erskne' Instructions. but that
should not be the sole enquiry. Let not the
mind be too much confined to this point, lest
it il should turn osr-what is the most inpro-
bable of all suppositions- he has disobey-
led his instructions, the British government
may seem to be acquitted, in this transaction,
and gain reputation for its conduct But the
mind should not be turned from the most i'm
portant point in this affair. 1t is the very
terms of those Instructions, which should
drawn down upon her the undivided resent
mcnt of this nation.
These terms prove it to be the design of
the present ministry to come to no species
of accom- mediation, with the United States.
unless they surrender some of the dearest
rights OF their independence. The British
Orders in Council are not to be rescinded
unless we pledge ourselves to continue our
restrictions against France, rclinquish the
colonial trade, and suffer them to enforce
our own municipal regulations by the capture
of our vessels To be sure, MIR Canning has
consented to abandon the last rcquisition--
as he has avowed in the House of Commons
that it is not to be Stnc-gua non of negoCiati
on. Thus the only inference which can be
drawn from his silence as to the two other
stipulations, is, that they are to be the sine
qua non.
The I'd of these concessions is derogatory
to the rights and ruinous to the interests of
the United States-The first is equally
vague and undehncd---ori if capable of de-
hnition, will be so construed by the British
government, as to be inadmssibl by the u.
States. How long are our restrictions a
gaiDst France to Continue? So long as her
DEGREES shall operate against our rights.
But. if - ,nce should give them a munich
hai Interpretation only--or it she rescinds
them, as RESPECTS the U. Stdtes--it is not
enough for G.. Britain. She will require
them to be une1uivocally abandoned"
The whole system of the Present ministry
hae been, in fact, series of injuries and in
suits against the u. States. And the grounds
which they have no7v taken, evidently prove
their resolution TO come to no sort of terms
with us--We shat hare no heace NTH
England, so long as her present nia,tStry
remains in hozVer.
At this great crisis, it becomes us to be
prepared for the worst extremities. lie 7uho
is not for Us is against us. He that does
not step forth to rally around the rights of
the Republic, isworthy of the Chastisement
of the law of Scion. AS to France, it is
her turn to negotiate next---and the result
will probably be learnt from the consultation
Of Messrs. Armstrong and Hauterive.
These are the times when our miSds are
painfully drawn towards the politics of the
British gentlemen amongst u.s. VIII they SC.
cond the zeal of the government 1t is to be
feared not--generally speaking.
Few questions have been more warmly agi-
tated in this country than the extent of foreign
influence. Tie Republican party have held,
that the causes and extent of British InHn
encc have been the greatest. Their oppo
vents have ascribed the superiority to French
influence.
The question is a momentous one-let us
touch it,
The natives Of G. Northumberland and
Scotland-are the great conduits of the for.
mer.
Trace them through our towns of trade
and resort. They are like the frogs of f.
gypt--in our "houscs, and irour bed Cham.
bers, and upon our beds, and in the I.ouses
OF our servants, on our people, in our Ovens,
and cur kneading troughs."