The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-04-04

Ille Ia violation ct our laws our southern
rontier aad willis, it demonstrates the IN .sor
lance ct cur commerce la theic pros ,efity, it at
the same time desrsics us below tue Spanish
colonies, tor thcyio sometimes resist such az
gressions; but we take them with patient for
bearance and quiet submission. lie me now
SIT, compare the injuries and insults received by
the United States and by other nations from c
British and contras, the resistance. Sir, wish
could spare myself the pain and MOI titication
OF performing this task-but Sir, deem it in
dlspensible. 1t is sacred .,uty l owe 10 the
people ard must he performed. Sir, the demand
upon Denmark whilst observing an honest neu-
traty, was, to be sure, hagitious, but it was re-
sisted by war The overture to Sweden whilst
IN the depth of distress and difficulties, to be
sure, was periidious but the messenger was or
dered to be incarccr.tsd. The conduct in Por-
tugal, whilst weak, deserted by its sovernne mt.
conquered almost by foreign host, was crael
and insulting butt was repealed with indigna-
ton, and perhaps by hostility. The horrid Ca
tastrophepf the bloody tragedy in Spain is not
yet known, and my m,nd is perfectly exempt
tom even the sembance of Il wish TO eXagrcrate
British outrage SO will suppress my antici-
pations in relation 10 the fate of the Spanish
fleet Whilst the United States more injured
and insulted than all these notions together. are
alone to bear with patient urce;ncss and long
suffering and the gallant, honorable and high
minded American people % bS old there are no
causes ofwar. That the, rnnst be still more hut
inflated still fur.',e. de- .oed Wait with pa
tieace till another cataio., .f injuries and in
suits shall stain the far, u,-uej page of your
national character! AMI SOM mgr go so far
as to recommend Submission together! MIR
president, the love o! pcsce one Of the most a
miabe Passions o. tie human minti. 1t issfoudly
cherished by the American people But Sir,
when IT dcgeperates into = feur of war, it be.
comes OF all passions the most despicable. In
ITS application it is of all others the most unfor.
M =
Tempt and invites attack from abroad whilst 1T
nome 1t dlspiriis the people, and d;squalies them
rom exertlng the energy they possess. Is there
not ground to fear Sir, that Great Britain has
neistakenthe character Of the people and gov
ernr1ent OF the United States in that respect
t."o IL SO, IS 1t OF no Importance to undeceive
Ter! And how can this be done II can only be
done by manly open, direct and honorable war
Let war, then, Sir, be openly resorted to, and
vigorously conducted. Give the people an op-
fortunlty OF retrieving their character, or at
ieast OF prociaiming their true character TO the
world, 1t will even be found economical of
mood and treasure it will in the end be favora-
bic to peace itself; for Sir, (pernit me to bor-
row AN appropriate and empha;ical expression
rohi gentleman iiom Connecticut, Mr.. Hill
nouSe') 1t viii be 4 war for peace. Yes, Sir, as
'i't gentleman expresses it, must fight for
peace Without war, or fortunate events abroad
am satisfied we can have M peace
tear, MIR. President, l am trespas,ing too
much on the kind indulgence of the Senate, but
Sir' cannot conclude my observations without
examining tile most prominent objections urged
AGAINST war with G.. 3 This propose. to do
with candor and inpartiality.
The first objection is derived from the suppos-
ed Character ofthe quarrel in which G. Britain
rs engaged. 1t is said she is fighting the bat
Ties OF The world against the spirit Of French do
nnation That her national existence IS al
atcl,. H,1,., &.
solH7r, &c whilst France is contending for the
domination OF the world This is not the true
character OF the quarrel. They are both fight
ing tor domination each upon the element to
which he can apply his power. France claims
domination OH the la:,d-Great Britain on the
ocean; Bat IT is said II the emperor of France
should succeed and destroy Great Brita N, or
controui her feet, his power would be directed
against the United States, ar.l they would be the
next victim This is remote and extremely
imProPa9ic contingency. II is my opinion that
the chances are greatly III favS of Great Britan's
succeeding IN the contest; and believe that our
situation would De just ~ critical Il Great Bril-
tain having the command of her feet, had also
me command OF the men Oh the continent, as if
france having the command of the men on the
continent, snd also the command ofthe British
fleet In either event we could expect no mer-
cy, and our only reliance for preserving our indie
pendence, would as it ought always, to be, upon
u.
therefore, deprecate either of these events
But, Sir, whilst should deplore the circum-
stance OF either of these nations subduinee the
other, think the chances of ultimate success in
favor of Great Britain. l will state few of the
grounds o. this opinion In Great Britain the go
vernMant is strong, stable and popular, and from
hcf insuar situation, the navy affords the nation
a complete protection against foreign Invasion -
The resources of Great Britain are great, and
herpeople brave and loyal, &c. &C. These afford
her strong securities. In France, the order of
things is scarcely settled. The dynasty is new,
probably depending on the life of single indiyi
dual the chances ofh death alone and the pro
bable consequences flowing from that single e.
vent, give to Great Britain better prospect af IL
nal success IN the contest than ANY reasonable cal
cuiat0n OF probable events would give France in
relation to the conquest of Great Britain This
consideration therefore, has no . arms or terrors
for ME. IL is certainly mere possible contin-
gency ;;a'Est every calculation upon probable g
Vents--lt Is visionary. But, sir, where does this
senslbillty II will not call it sympathy, becarse
Great Britain has feeling from which it can
De cerived) where say, sir, does this sens bill
~ tor tue safety or reat-Dritain exist | be-
eve IN the United States alone ;certainly not the
BRUSH nation or ministry Let me call your re-
collection to Mr. Canning's language on this sub
lect' Do you hear him express any whining
Tears OF the loss of national existence-any tjmid
alarms from the influence of French power -
what does he say, sir On the 23d OF: Septem.