The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-02-13

clamation, in wicked ATTEMPTS TO criminafe
their oSva government, and trditerous> en-
deoUors TO e.rcnttdte foreign government
who has plundered, insulted and outraged
our country with rapacity, insolence and
|audacity Observation-Disclosures True IL
meric0n.
Extracts from the speech of Governor
lomhkins TO the Legislature Of heay
York deiivered on the 30fh uifino.
You are assembled for the purpose of de-
liberatiRg and deciding on the important
concerns of this state, which,, by the Consti-
tuition, are devolved upon you as the imme.
diate Representatives of the people, The
magni ude ef thar duty is enhanced at the
present juncture by the convnlsed state of
the civilized world, and by the great poll.
teal events constantly occurring .,',. =,
The nations of Europe have pcrsevered
during the past year, in their sanguinary
struggle. with increased animosity. Whole
districts OF country have been desoated
Kingdoms subJugated, and hosts of innocent
subjects sacrificed. These occurrences pre-
sent mournful picture of the rapacty and
ambition of princes, whilst they afford a
monitory lesson to the American people.
The situation of the United States has been
In the mean time comparatively happy and
enviable; for it hath pleased the Great Dis
ders, and to crown our years with goodness.
The prosperity of the nation, however, has
not been uninterrupted. Connected as the
United States are, by Commercial inter
course, with other nations, we could not "a
void feeling the shock of the contendng pow
ers. AT an early period, it was feared that
our commerce would experiences material
limpediments from a widely exteutlsd foreign
war and more especially, as one of the
great belligerents controlled the destnies of
the European continent, and the other pos
sessed the means of domiueering upon the
4 ocean. But their professions of respect for
| the rights OF others, and their avowed no.
mage to the authority Of the law of nations,
forbad us to anticipate those gigantic strides
which have over-leaped the settled principles
OF public law, which constituted the barri-
ers between the caprice, the avarice or the
tyranny of belligerent, and the rights and
independence ola neutral
1t would be .painful to dwell upon every
aggression, injustice, violence and insult,
which we have witnessed and experienced
for several past years. The Introduction of
neutral commerce from n part or the whole
OF the territories, of one belligerent by a de-
ciaration OF blockade by the other, without
actual investment BY force, and without a
capacity therefor; the imposition of a tax
or transit duty OIL neutral commerce in the
ports OF one power to legalize its transmits.
sion to the adverse power; the violent ar
rest, from our public and private vessels, of
seamen, almost without regard to the place
OF their nativity; the liability of neutral
property to seizure and condemnation bv
one party in consequence of search by the
other OF the ships transporting it, and the
total prohibition of neutral commerce with
one oellSerent by the other, without block
ade OF any description, are amongst the
prominent usurpations which have sacrificed
much OF our property, ensiaved many of
our Citizens, insulted our sovereignty, and
almost prescribed neutral commerce from
the ocean Some neutral vessels have been
seiZea, robbed. destroyed or condemned up.
on frivolous and provoking pretexts, not e
ven Justihcd by the arbitrary and ruinous
restrictions above northumberland one of
our public armed ships has been insutinely
attacked, several of her crew killed, and
others taken forcibly away; an act acknow-
ledged by the nation, whose officers commit
ted IT, to be wholly understandable, but which
still remains unattoned.
The constant evidences of desire on our
part to maintain a strict and impartial neu
traity--the earnest and able appeals for
redress by our rulers to the honor and JUS
tiCe OF the ,Beliigerents, and our continual
remonstraEces against their incessant and an
provoked entertainments upon neutral com.
mercc, have all been disregarded or evaded.
NO revocation or material relaxation of the
offensive DEGREES of France has been obtain
ea With Great Britain an Arrangement
mad been effected in April last, which at the
same time evinced the impartial and pacific
intentions OF our administration, and a re.
turning sense of good faith and upright con
duct In the cabinet of st. James's diffused a
iiveiy satisfaction through the nation, and
presaged 4 speedy restoration Of good un-
derstandiDg and harmony between the two
countries. But cur hopes were blasted, ana
the wise and patriotic intention of our rulers
oafhed by an unexpected disavowal of the
agreement and an unqualified refusal to fulfil |
ITS stipulations on the part of England-
olnce the recall OF the minister who negocia
tea the arrangement. nothing has occurred |
10 brighten the prospect of an honorable adj |
Justment OF our differences. On the contra |
Iy' instead OF evincing an amicable DISPOSE |
ton by submitting other acceptable terms |
OF accommodation in lieu of the disavowed |
arrangement, the new minister has persist |
ed in irnpeaching the veracity of our ADM. |
histra'ion which sense of respect for them
selves and Tor the dignity of the nation they |
represent. forbade them to brook.
They adopted towards him on that occa-
sion, the most moderate and least irritating
course OF treatment; Course demanded by |
MS department, and meriting the appreciate
on and support OF every American who feels |
anxious to preserve the honor and indepen-
dence OF his country.
lhe momentous duty Of deciding upon the
attitude the United States shall assume in |