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

H'f>e1 ~ Wink Ott ~ NllTL
ofe.-itis unnecessary for us. Fellow Citi-
zens, 10 enquire whether France or CT Britain
was the hrse aggressor upon the neutral
world. 1t is known To every person, that there.
has been but little difference in time. as :,
The date or the execution of their hateful and
destructive DEGREES. 1t iSno justification 10
France, that Great Britain led the way.
nor any to Britain, even if France be allow
ed the most cu,pab.e rre-emincnce--Wc have.
nothing to do with the wars Of other natl
ons, nor nave they any right TO deny our ma
Vlgation OF the wa:ers-the boon of God and
not the favor OF man. But so it is, Fellow
Citizens, this sacred right is about TO be an
initiated. Sectsries Of every political cha
rac,er admit the facs. The interesting cues
ton then appears before us-Shall we das-
tardly surrender our national existence. or
shall we, as the descendants of glorious fore
fathers maintain it with our blood, None.
We presume, will submit. Every faculty of
the American soul reNolts at the thought,
Wnen We take 4 view Of What our govern
met has done to preserve our rights, and to
preserve rs IN Ht0ce, we can but admire the
n:iid, pacific AID impartial policy which has
been adopted. tits the very Course which
our republican genius marks out TO avoid
vislence, VIXEN justice can be attained thro,
the medium OF negotiation. This system
has, however, proved vain and ncffcctual-
The rights which VIC claim of our enemies.
are ~arrcSantly refused; the propositions we
make, are scorntuliy treated (; aid even the
Character OF our minister, sacred i'm the eve
OF national law, has been baseiy traduced and
insulted. To save our shipping. pronertv
and citizens from ir~redccmable loss. our oo-
vernment thought proper to keep them at
home. But many OF our citizens. to tbei,
memorable disgrace, would not ~controul their
cnpidity with = little patience, to suffer liz,
wisdom ard energy of the measure to go into
complete operation. The British StSpan-
ish possessions bordering immediately uDon
our territory, rendered violations easy ard
the add tlprat inducenent uf CO. .cealment
from detection, with the conscqueutsecuritv
from punishment, furnished a tcmntstion
too str0nS Tor their RESISTANCE. Under this
complicayed Tissue. OF difficulties, our naticn-
az council, II seems, is abAut 20 relax in their
Embargo system. OF TINS relaxation we.
nerer can approve, unless some measure he
adopted OF Equal, il not superior energy IF
ecessity sEaii force Us &c fig from The emhsr-
go, we feel no hesitation in raising our voice
Tor war: or we can tcel no delight in pescc
when bereft Of honor, independence and Ii
berry.
/ Pc:oiVea, therefore, as the opinion of hi.
meeting t,It mined atciy after the atfacl, -
Chesapeake (Which may Justly be considt,ed
only one link ia Tie great chain of Brit; L.
SO saois) a.! the refusal by Inc British Gde.n-
Hcnt to make suitable r-paratius, the lnoa off:
Cent measures ought to have been slontcd
e prepare the CousiIy tor "a state of acLai war.
Z EeSof''4' t"at The Embargo was Originally
eNAedicnt a. a measure of p:ccaution! i5r he
protection OF our seamen an mercantile c,DitoI
whist the iae''ns TO carry on q war, if gar should
DC ultimately necessary, we're prorisine; and
would Ia e. been well calculated as i mezsurc
OF Coercion had II not been violated BY the most
ProfiGate and Abandoned ofour citizets. co.n,,.-
lr4tI1is with tie subjects oF I.a-t D...-L,
amCug us.
3 P~esoivet, that the Embargo which sdonte5
ought to have been enforced at auy EXPENSE and
every haz,rl. ~
4. Peso|veA t,ettbe Embargo oughtnos to b.
rescit dea Until fair tsil q st,e eTecj ot The !. -
passed To enforce it shail have been roIde ~
that, Whenever 1t sAslt be re ciEded, Ouch eff.
Gent and cncrgeiic measures should be aLopfe,,
as Will demonstrate a firm determination 10 main
tam tie rights and national honor OF onr coins
try and that this meeting arf- prepared, to sup.
pnit the government in those measures; e3en Il; !.
is necessary to resort to OPEN and direct ryor
which we believe will be the only alternative. nm.
less the French dccfees, aIxl British orders IL,
council shall be repealed. ~
3 %%esolvea, ulat a partial non-intercour.e. oy
partial Embargo, are VAN and futile meaguaes.
easy to be Guided, impossible to be enfnrced
aud justly to be stiGmat5ed with the derradin.
name OF Su0naissi1r. q.
q. ResolUeG, AZ The opinion cfthis meeting. that
Notwithstanding The me :sures of Congress- m,,
not accord with their Geelinss and 5entiments,
trey viii, nevertheless, support thern viii, theIe
kives and fey:anes.
The preamble ana tesolntions having been
doPted, q motion wa, made, tllat e cornm;ttf-
o. appointed to prepare and report, iInmediately
other resolutions whcreupon, atommitten 90
'ppointed consisting Of Messrs. FhilliD N NJ
choias, William Writ, William Wardjow,
William MunEofd, william. T.. Brayton mi
Andrew Stevenson, who retired, and AZ er some
time, returned and repolted the folio wing reso-
lutIohs, which were unanimously adopted
list %eeslvei, That Thomas Jefferson has r,I.
filled the expectations which called him IN tbr
presidential chair that he has DISCHARGED ths
duties of that station with the highesl Lonor IA
himself and advantage to his country. and a. ho
Carries with him, into retirement, tie gratitude
the applause and best wishes OF this meetnq..
2nd. Resulted, That while we regret the losx
OF a Sage, vino, toT eight yeats, has endeavo,ed
to preserve Our Rights, and Promote our h4pDi-
ness, we rejoice in Tic election of another. wbnss,
conspicuous services hitherto, afford . wen Co,p-
ded pledge Of hope. thai his administration viii
De equally devoted to those important objects.
Published by order Of the meeting,
GEO w. SMITH, CIg;r,nay.
JoHN T. Pefcr, S~eectuyt
NOTiCE-TO THE CITIZENS OF RICH.
NDND.
g The Committee who 'yerc appointed to
l INH.HmA EHAa