The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-01-21
POLITICAL.
TO CONGRESS.
IAN. S..

The period has acknowledgements
winch could not be averted, but which it was
not ullnCu!t 10 foresee, and which. indeed
nave long been foreto.d. have brought the ma
ton to a Crisis which will determine the ones
ton beyond dispute or equivocation.
Inc period has arrived, when the nation
must declde-when 1T must sit in Judgment
upon iseit and pronounce to the world.
"he'her this nation, at this day. is worthy or
unworthy OF the noble resistance, the mag
unanimous sacrifices the unparalleled suffer
lnss-the patience, constancy, and fortitude
which established our independence, & made
u.s. rom being slaves to a tyrant, a free. So
VefeiSn, and independent people.
Inc period has arrived-it has been forced
upon you iii spite of the must cofsuuiuiats
prudence and the wisest counsels that ever
governed a nation-when it is TO he deter-
mined whether your virtue, as the represen-
tatiVes OF the people, shall decide anon the
rights, honor, and safety of your country ; or
whether the corruption and the emissa,leso of
Great Britain shall give the law TO the land
by setting the legitimate law and consultation
at defiance.
Inc sentiment, the principle, the ennobling
spirit or true fat'iotiSn,, however furnished
ny abuse, still remains i'll its pristine purity !.
and can be resorted to as the rouchstoDe OF
virtue whenever the exigeucy OF the nation
calls it forth.
The time is come to try this touchstone
and II there be virtue in the nation it Is the
duty OF their representatives to cali it forth
The attention of the representative of the
people Is requested to the following article :.
1T IS copied from a paper published IN New
lork, called the Evening Post, a paper. pub
Ished with the united patronage and SUPPORT
OF the British government, of its privileged
spies ana agents, and secretly aided bv men
whe aave been employed as The agents. of
Great Britain at various courts of Europe.
"Looko our ! "A report from Washington
OF a pretty imposing nature is in circulation
tnat MT. Erskine has informed our govern
.nent that the expedition lately fitted out at
iI"iiiaA' ihtehus ia the first place to visit Ba-
ton houge. Ill Possession of their friends and
allies the Spaniards. Report fprther ado
mat SINCE FnlS intimation was given. Wiikin-
son has been ordered to New Orleans. where
ne Is va take the command of 1900 troops.
ahS Is to be aided by two frigates and 40 e,ls
BOATS, now fitting out for that place Wby.
however, q force should be sent to New Or
leans any the more because the ENGLISH ex-
pedltlon means to navigate the river Missis-
slPpl, conjecture must still be at a loss for
1t is clear 70 a demonstration that they have
a perfect right todp so as secured by the trea-
ty OF peace, and recognised BY one of the per
IN vi lilt tICdLy OF dfllltN alO
commerce. BY the Sd article of the latter il
Is stipulated that,
The river Mississippi shall according 10
me treaty 0heace, be entirely opeu to both
parties"
" BY the 9th article of the treaty oTheace
it is stipulated;
" The navigation fthe river Mtasissihhi
Jrom lis source 10 tie ocean, shat f6reper
remain free and ohen 10 the subjects Of G.
Britain"
" Il is to be hoped that if the torch of war
with any nation is to be lighted, even by the
hand Of a Wilkinson, it will be such a war as
the nation can cCnscientiously unite in to sup.
port the government, & not one occasioned by
a barefaced attempt to deprive any foreign
power Of rights secured 10 her by solemn trea.
ry. Let tho people look out >"
This seditious, ifnot reasonable product
ON, is submitted to the consideration of the
national congress..".4uroru
The rumor OF an Instruction to the Eastward
is not entitled to credit..Lb.