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

preteXts 10. ndu,gng orr Ea5itual pl C,iciictons
for Great. Britain. and Il We think otherwise we
deceive ours lives. The ,usiU..iy Of tl;esc sag
sestions naV, perhaps, however, have extended
their influence be yand lie sphere Of British pre-
deh1Iions. but, sir, am convinced IN all those
cases, 1t has ARISEN from the of ye cons:-
dcration OF the subject.
The only effects of entering into the war -
ganst Great-Britin, would be 10 lessen the range
of her commerce, and limit the dangerous infiu-
ence Of her navy, and thus to restore to ourselves
some ot her lost commercial rights. But her ma
tional existence even in that would not be
end mgercd, and even fit were, she could stop
the war at pleasure, by doing us less than JUS
tice. O.
Indulge me now, sir, in examining another OBJ
ieclion against entering into-a war with Great
Britain which, whilst it is the most unacco,int-
able, has, believe, more influence on the minds
OF gentlemen than all other considerations taken
together tits, sir, the strange suggestion, that
the British ministry had refused to accedc to he
just and reasonable propositions made on the part
of the United States, from u belief of the insn-
cerity of our government iii conducting the ne
gociation; and that, if the overture could be re-
newed in sincerity and good faith, il would be &C
cepted on the part of TIE British government
Groundless and eXtravagant rs this superstition
is, permit me to make few observations on it.
In the first place, would ask, by whom haze our
negotiations with Great Britain been conducted
since the commencement of The present admins
tratiUn First, by MIR. King. Has Mr.. King C.
yer made any intimatons of insincerity on the
part OF the administration during his agency
believe not believe that Mr.. King entirely APP
proved of the course pursued during his time, s
l am sure the administration highly approved of
his conduct. believe it was iiudicious, honora-
Bile and dignificd. Ipresume some respect might
bepaid ~ ms expectations by federal gentlemen,
tor believe he has not yr, forfeited their conf
dence, If am TO form opinion from the votes
l. Al
election. The federalists gave him ali the votes
which were at their disposal. The next agent
on the part of the United States was Mr.. Mou-
roe From late occurrences it cannot he pres,I-
med that Mr.. Monroe is in possession of the
Ancwiedge OF any circumstances Of insincerity
against the administration, which he would with
hold from the public. Mr.. Monroe has in fact
written book He has told all he did know
Although, some time since, often heard it
SAID, he Scoui9 tell more than he could tell But
no evidence Of insncerty has vet appeared. Our
present agent is Mr.. Pinkney He is federal
list an intelligent honorable and respectable fe-
'dcrals st. Some confidence, it is supposed, might
be paid to his opinions and communications Yet
1T Is known that he approves of the measures Of
the administration, far they so, but he would
go1urther Ii however, sir, gentlemen disres-
pect the testimony of all these Witnesses, let me
present them with another, TO whom, upon this
point At least, they rili certainly yield res
q
cherish and encourage this delusion may clearly
be seen, thro' the prcvarcationS of his two last
letters to MIR. Pinkney, yet he expressly tenders
Mr. Plnkney the homage of his respects for the
candor and liberality displayed by Mr. pnkncy
IN conducting the negotiation, and it is very easy
10 discern that he is compelled to respect the mo-
tlves which dictated Mr. Pinkney's instructions
(dO But, sir, it was placed completely in Mr.
Cannlng's power to put the sincerity of cur gov
eminent to the test, by accepting, instead of re-
JectIng, the frank and reasonable proposition of.
tered to HIM by Mr.. Pinkney. His rejection of
II Is proof positive, that he did not wish to put
the sincerity of our government to the test A
gam, sir, let me beg your attention to another
consideration. Whatever errors the political OPP
ponents OF the President may fancy they see in
ms general character, their prejudices could ne
yer carry them so far, as not to exempt him en-
t'relyfrom the passions OF political ambition, &
personal aggrsndzement. His voluntary retire
ment from his present station, irresistible proof
OF his exemption from these passions. In a very
few days he goes into chosen retirement, to en-
JOY the blessings, iii common with his fell0w-ci-
uKens, which his wise administration has spread
over tins extended country and, sir, in his soil
Jude, with heart overlooking with gratitude,
sincerely hope he will enjoy all the happiness,
which is the Just reward ofthe amiabieness and
philanthropy of his character But, sir, under
such circumstances, what possible inducemsnt
could he have TO involve bis country unneces sari
lynn war In his retirement, he will be as much
subject to the good bad consequences of his
owTi measures, as any Cther citizen it is not
therefore, possible to conceive that .ie would a.
dept ruinous measures, whilst he himself would
be subject 10 all their consequences. no, sir,
tins suggestion ofinsincerity is nothing more than
a miserable delusive vision Il mere catch Of the
human mind, tnindulge itselFirl.s own passions
and prcjudices, when there seno justification
that c,n DC derived from more substantial consi-
derations. 1t is the result Of forced suspicion,
tor the want of some document or paper, as
Justification for the Indulgence If these unfortu-
nate passions. Observe, too, the inconss, encies
and absurd contradictions of gentlemen laboling
under the influence of these passions. In the
same breath, sir, they accuse the President of
such devotion to a vain philanthropy and specu-
lative philosophy, as Ia disquaify him for the
rugged duties of politician, and Of an insncc.
rity i'll conducting our foreign relations, with
view of involving the United States in war, in
direct opposition to the habitual and dominant
passions OF his mind No, sir, the President is
the lover of peace, and fear that his amia5ie g,
anxious solicitude to preserve 1T, may have had
some tendency towards rendering war indispen-
sable Sir, these preiudices and iealousies, so
ca,iselessly INDUCED by gentlcn6n, may have, it
Is feared, the most unfortunate influence upon the
interests OF the American people, and upon the
character OF the American nation. For, SIR
when Jealousies and prcjudices once take hold of
the human mind, they dis JIt all facts, they in.
Nss al inf. as,x. 4.