The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-03-24
From a late London Paher.
THE AMERICAN
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p r q PC 81 TT o ".

Unprecedented in a military view as is
the situation of the modern world, it's COM
mercial state presents 4 spectacle no less
extraordinary.-While there is no me
dunn betw,e Ell subjugation and hostility, the
word neutral" is only known as the sign
of what once existed France excludes
from the Continent of Europe all who would
trade with the British Dominions Great
Britain confirms the work of her enemy by
forcing all nations who would trade with the
Continent of Europe to pay her tribute, and
to do every act which insures their exc.u-
Zion. America disguised ana harrassed
with these proceedings, shuts up her ports
and puts an end to all maritime intercourse
between civilized nations. The ravagcs OF
war by n refinement of destruction, are thus
accompanied with the anui'iilation of one
of the chief means o. reparat.on. The en-
barge, which would never have been tole-
rated in America had it not been for our
orders of council, strongly favored the views
OF France. That commerce which to her
was comparatively Of littlc consequence was
nearly ruined before, and the embargo
could not materially alter her situation.-
To Great Britain, whose strength, and even
existence depends in a great measure on her
commerce., the measure was like cutting off
the right hand England, therefore. by the
orders Of council gave the bicw to the inter
course of the civilized world, and that blow
fell heaviest oil herself.
In this state of things. 4 proposal is made,
that il Great Britain would rescind her or
dcrs of council, America would either pro-
cure the revocation CT the French DEGREES,
or continue the embargo with respect to the
enemy, and renew The intercourse with
Great Britain. Tie cTsct uf the acce1-
lance Of this proposition must necessarily
be, either TIE restoration Of that CONNER
cial intercourse which. enough advanta ecous
20 the ererny, would %, ont IT all proporti-
on, more favorable to the Interests of Great
Britain, or the renewal OF tho intercourse
between Great Britain, and America, 70 the
total exclusion Of France and her allies in
the war.-fhe French decrecs formed the
whole pretence OF the orders of council, ard
tn: revocation Of the DEGREES must, there
fore, fully answer the purpose for which
these orders were originally framed. ii the
cher alternative should he the result of our
closing with the American proposition, cur
relative s~ituation would not only be equal
20 what it was before the issuing Ct the de-
cree, but even in srrac respect highly inc
proved. The resembling Of TIE DEGREES,
though, from the present state Of the Euro
pean C0ntiuCpt, the sane facility, as for
mcrly would not exist for the practice of
ncdtralizing. exposed in MT. Stevens pam
phlet, entitled The Frauds Of Neutral
Flags" would still revive some important
differences respecting the rights Of ~neutrals
which have never been adjusted, ard afford
the enemy considerable advantages.
TIE continuation oftne embargo with res
pee, 10 France, while tie Intercourse would
be opened between Awcrica aud q. Bri-
tain, would sccure ag The objects which were
expected from toe cr4ers Of council, and a
great deal more.