The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-06-12
CIRCULAR.
WAsIiINoroN, April

confident you will not censure without making
proper allowances. 1t will be recoilecied, that
since the year 1907, the peaceful situation of
our country has been disturbed by the ambition
and violence of France and Great Britain
jealous OF our growing prosperity, or eager to
use US ter their PURPOSES, they have adopted e.
very expedient to involve us in the csamites of
war. 1t has been the invariable object of the
government, to disappoint their wishes, to pre-.
serve the nation in peace and await the termina-
ton of the present European war, which has
ruined all those who have participated in it
This policy, which ought 70 receive the sanction
OF every friend of humanity, has been attended
with great sacrifices to all classes OF people,
particularly to the farmers. The suspension of
our trade, which it was believed was the only
mode lett to avoid an appeal to arms, or disho-
horable commerce, was felt by them with great
severity; but anxious 10 maintain the honor of
their country, they have submitted with firm
ness, under the belief that their temporary suf-
ferings would be amply compensated by the
preservation of peace and the ultimate acknow.
aedgement of their rights. Although we have not
attained all we had right to demand the stu.
alton OF the country in relation to one of the bel
hgerents has been materially changed, and
shai ever believe, but for the premature repeal
oil the embargo, every thing would have been
accomplished which was the object eff that mea-
sure While the embargo was in force, and
congress had given every pledge to persevere,
the British government authorised Mr.. Erskine
sheir ministerto conclude arrangement with
us, which stipulated the repeal OF their Orders in
Council and satisfaction for the attack ON the
Chesapeake, upon condition that the u States
would suspend the embargo as to England.
This event, which diffiised universal ioy thro
the nation, happened just before the meeting of
Congress on the 22d May. During that session
the strongest evidence was given oftheir sincere
desire to maintain good understanding with
England, and / will venture to say the most
undeniabie refutation to the charge against the
government of attachment TO the cause of
France, which had prevented an adjustment with
her enemy: Notwithstanding the agreement
with MT Erskine required simply n repeal of
the non. intercourse law as it applied to g. Bri-
tam, the law which would expire by its own
imitation at the end of the session. was revived
land enforced against France and her dependen.
cIes alone-This was sufficient to prove that the
united states were alive to the injuries of that
nation, and We're ready to pursue the course
which an honest impartiality required-snd n
Just sense of their rights demanded Although
1t has been said, that the admission of pubi;c
armed ships belonging to France into our ports
was departure from the spirit which the inter
uction of all commercial intercourse with her
manifested, think candid consideration of the
subject will shew the accusation to be unfo,m.
ded there was at that time q proposition made
to France for the repeal of her DEGREES and it
could not be prudent to adopt principle, which
was hostile and could not produce the slightest
benefit TO us. but would render an accommodation
more difficult; so far as England was concerned
she could not with justice complain, inasmuch
as we had acted more favorable to her than we
were bound by agreement, and by admitting
french armed vessels, conferred only a nominal
privilege without doing her a positive ipiurv--
Winnie, therefore, France received no benefit it
was the ground for granting valuable privilege
10 England, which promoted her convenience es-
sentially.
Its painful to reflect that these dispositions to
confirm and consolidate the peace which had
been so happily restored, were not met by Eng
land /; no sooner was the arrangement, made by
Mr.. Erskine, known in that country, than it was
disayowed. without waiting to see whether con-
gress would nterdict trade with France and her
dependencies. The reason assigned for this act
OF the British government is, that Mr.. Erskine
exceeded his powers. There is no doubt that
when public minister violates the letter and
spirit of his instructions, it forms Just and suf.
hcient ground for refusing to ratfy any agree
ment he may have made. But this negotiation
comprised so fully the substance of Mr.. Frs
kine's instructions, that there exists no adequate
excuse tor its disavowai. IF the British govern
ment felta desire to terminate the disputes
which had unhappy arisen between the two
countries, fair occasion presented ITSELF and
the conduct pursued in that affair, connected
with the avowed motive, must be considered as
evmclng spirit of a contrary character ito sof-
ten the feelings which would be produced i'm
this country, by an event so unexpected, assur-
ances were given that another minister should be
sent, who would be invested with powers to set
tie all dlberences-the sincerity of this pledge
was very questionable, when it was known that
1dr. 1dcksoc had been selected to succeed Mr..
Erskine. The prominent part he had acted in
Europe IN the memorable negotiation with Den
mark, which preceded the attack on Copenha.
gen, and the capture ofthe Danish fleet during
a state OF profound peace, and without the least
provocatIon from the Danes, induced strong
snsPicIons that he had been chosen as the har-
blnger o. dIscoTd rather than the messenger of
peace 1t was at least suspicious that the man,
who had been the instrument in a transaction
winch had tarnished the glory of the Eng
hsh name, should be chosenin preference TO
Tasny virtuous and distinguished statesmen
VINO would nave been more acceptable to the A.
merIcah people. These apprehensons have been
since fnDy realised, by the manner in which Mr.
Jackson has conducted himself, the indecent and
uojustiinle charge be exhibited against the go
vernment. His dismissal aud the opinion ex-
pressed by congress upon his conduct, have been
laid before the public aud are no doubt known
40 you. IL Is pleasing circumstance to find his
conduct has not been approved by his own go-
yernment, and that successor will be appoin-
ted who, hope, will be more acceptable and in
vested with powers more ample and better cal.
sulated to adjust our differences. This conduct
which evinces more than usual liberalitv, con-
nected with the partial change of the English
ministry, sincerely hope may be the forerlinner
oi peace and terminate the narrow minded poll
ey, which has sought ACKNOWLEDGMENT in the des-
b1lctiOn OF a nation anxious to preserve lie men.