The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-03-24

.IHiCTICu.
In the Intelligence which has been lately
received from the I'm. ed States, there is
sufficient matter for Comment, perhaps even
or accusation against his majesty's present
ministers.
The public voice in America is become
unusually cIamorouS and although no ofici
al communications nave vet been made of
the result OF the late negotiation between
Mr.. Plnkney and the British Government,
as Congress is not convened, and the sub
stance o. the late intercourse is at present
out matter OF conjecture /; Notwithstanding,
both parties are necessarily in the dark, suf-
hcIent has been let out to discover that the
differences between the United States and
Great Britain, are less likely than ever to
be composed, and that the commercial hos
tiiity OF the two countries is still unabated
For ourselves, we cannot expect intorna-
ton till the meeting of Parliament; * as 6
weeks mus; clapse, till the commencement of
the session, we shall take the opportunity of
putting some important questions to his ma
Jesty's ministers in our inquiry of this day.
We demand of them in the first place,
y II America has not made, since the month
or June last, repeated advances to an ami
Cable arrangement of All differences -
Whether the dispatches brought to Mr.. Pink
ney iii the month Of June, did not contain
Ni CBNiii6 Il hOAtN ltllDil On lle
following terms:-'' That @. Britain should
declare her Willingness to rescind he orders
OF council; and permit an application to be
made TO the French government for the re-
peal OF the Berlin decree That this appli-
cation should be made through the convey
ance OF the same packet which brought the
proposals to the English government and
that should France, upon a declaration
made by the British government OF a readi-
ness to rescind the orders of council, Consent
ON her part to reverse the Berlin decree. that
America would Immediately take other en-
cargo, and permit a free trade on The most
liberal basis, with G. Britain"
We ask ministers whether such was not.
une9uivocally, the substance ofthe dispatch
es brought by he American packet in die
latter end of the month of June, and SUBJ
mitted to them by Mr.. Pihkney, as the basis
of negotiation.
we have been given to understand, that
ministers gave no direct answer to this an
plication, and postponed al consideration of
1t till the answer of the French government
should be known.
The american packet, therefore stood a
way tor France (; and the position was made
to France" To declare her willingness to
repeal the Berlin decree, on condition that
the English government would rescind the
orders OF council"
ne French government shufied with its
usual baseness, and evaded all direct answer.
what did the American government do
upon TINS demur OH the part of the French
government? With a p%romptitude we'll
marking the sincerity OF their disposition.
md unwearied efforts for a peaceable adjust
ment with Great Britain, Mr.. Jefferson dis
patched the Hope packet with a special En-
voy on board-This Envoy was Mr.. Drink
water-We put this question, therefore, to
ministers:
Did not Mr.. Pinkney, upon the arrival
OF the HoFE packet, submit to the British
cabinet a new basis of negotiation. And
we're cot the terms unprecedented if G..
Britain woald evoke her orders of council,
Notwithstanding the French government
should still continue the decree Of Berlin uu-
repealed, that America, without waiting for
the concurrence of France with the Dropo-
sltlons made IN the month ofJuue, would i'm
medlately TAKE OFF T. EMBARGO, and
conclude a separate commercial treaty with
e.. Britain"
We ask ministers if such were not with
some necessary variations doubtless) the
terms and full substance of the proposals
made by the American government in the
month or August laSt?-NNhat answer did
ministers return Did they return any
We have heard it rumorcd. indeed, that in
a phrenzy OF foolish joy, at their ~ospec in
SPAN, they treated even this manly & most
honorable propositions of America, with cold.
ness and Indifference. We trust, for the sake
OF their characters, for the credit Of their
humanity, for the last hopes Of their country
and the very vital interests of the commerce.
al class, nat the rumoris scandaiously false.
But IN America, since the return of the
Hope, the popular clamor has been more vi
client than ever. Would this have been the
case, had the Hope, (thc messenger of peace
ana Cancellation upon the part OF the Amcri-
eau government been the bearer of good
news rom the cabinet of England I'VE
tear She9as not the messengcrof glad IL
dings.
j ministers, therefore. in addition 10 u
most prec'pitatc, i'll conducted and calami-
tous campaigns in Portugal and Spain, shall
have thus involved us in differences with
America, more remote than ever from peace
able adjustment, they will deserve the re-
proactes of the nation more than any other
class OF men who have ever been entrusted
with the national resources.
BOARD or INQUIRY.
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