The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-02-06
NDe Gnquirrr.
lklcHMoNp, February 6, lslo.
INTERESTING

. .
DEAR SIR.
The proceedings Of Congress during the
present session will. 1 am certain, establish
the correctness Of the sketch which gave
YOU in a former letter OF the views of the
administration-Peace is its object. Nothing
but withdrawal of the DEGREES and orders
OF one. or other, Of tine belIigerents or some
new act of hostility will induce the present
Administrator, or the present Congress to
resort to war. 1t is still, / believe, consi-
dered by the Administration. that neither
of the belligeren,s can honorably be selected
as an enemy while their DEGREES and orders
remain in force--an(f that war against both
would hazard the rights and interest ofthe
community, and terminate only in ruin or
disgrace. The first message of the Presi-
dent, which was entirely pacific, may be
considered as the undivided sentiment of the
Administration. The last message, recon-
mending measures CT preparation. is not to
be We've as departure from the principles
of the FIRST. The extraordinary situation of
the world, and the peculiar circumstances
under which we are placed, render prepa-
rations to the eXtent recommended. npt at
all Inconsistent with course entirely paci-
tic. Between the individual members of the
Administration, there is no great personal
harmony or private association. The Sec
rotary of the Treasury is not in habits OF
intimacy or intercourse with either of the
others. The President is on good terms
with all of them-Iheir private jealousies
tlo not disturb the council board. In the
cabinet there has been M difference in opi-
Mon --N1acon's Bill is cabinet measure
1t is AN administration composed OF fine
tempered men, of polished manners, of great
prudence and uniting sincerely in enc great
cardinal points, heace.''-The publications
alta distance from this place, which are Cal )
culated TO produce an opinion among the
net exist, as to measures, tend only to in
]ure Que party, already weakened by deser-
tion and prescription.
You ask me. what are we to dor 1t is q
question very diticu.t to answer.-For. the
last four years, the situation of the United
States has been one, in which it was much
easier to censure the measures adopted, than
to point out course combining what ought
ever to characterize the measures Of a free
government, a firm and unvielding support
OF It's rights, with due regard TO It's interest.
The embargo was 4 measure OF this kind
To this measure alone may be attributed
the change in the British orders in council,
the abolishiDg the transit duty and repeal OF
that part of them which subjected to capture
and condemnation our vessels, for having OF,
board certificate cf origin. The documents
recently laid before Congress, and particu-
larry the last one called for by che fedcra!isls,
containing extracts from Mr.. Piakney. prove
incoDtestibiy, that the embargo produced
the change IN the British orders, and also
the instructions 10 Mr.. Erskine to tender
reparation for the Chesapeake, ana with
drewal of the orders in council. We have
it too from authority, which cannot be ques
tened, that the disavowal OF the arrange
n,ent of Mr.. Erskine was produced by the
circumstances under which the embargo
was removed. The appearance of division
in the national councils, and the conducl Of
the people in some of the states, gave TO the
British ministry such ani,!ce of our divisions
ard imbecility, that our rights and feelings
were totally disregarded, and the arrange.
mcnt disayowcd tor the accommodation o!
the British merchants engssed in the SNUG
Cling trade to the continent.
= y
IF at the time our commerce was subjected
20 tribute, we had not patriotism enough
either 10 adhere to measure of preCaution
and safety, or to take strong messures; what
can You expect now. In the present situa.
tion OF the parties in this country, war
seems tobe ahnost impossible. Nothing bat
some ACT on the rais Of the British ministry
sodecisive as to subject her partizans here,
1T riotoos. 70 tar and feathers. could enable
us to carry it on-I'he naked and ambush
ing manner in which the federal party took
sides with the British minister, III opposition
to the administration, on CHESS resolution,
.evinces, but too plainly, the truth of your
remark, that ''iike blood hounds admirably
trained. they obey the whistle Of their lead
rr - heir Conduct on that occasion was
the more extraordinary, because they had
IN their speeches approved this very act of
the President, and was Jealous to pass on
his conduct a direct vote OF appreciation -
From men who can thus, like the LAWYER in
the fable, declare the case is altered"
what are you to expect with wha, pros
psct OF advantage or honor to the nation
Could war. under such circumstance, be re
sorted to What measure could be taken
short of WARP An embargo With the present
Congress would be out of the question
You might as soon expect To induce the
members tn viUia;e the Constitution and
their oaths, by passing a law to establish the
Popish religion ----IVbether the non-inter-
course law could have been re enacted with
us former provisions, is extremely doubtful.
INT could be, the policy of the measure is
eXtremsly questionable, as It produces in
jury To our revenue, discomfort among our
CITIZENS. and has no coeTcive operation on
tNher OF the belligerents. BY France it was
totally disregarded--by G. Britain evadsd
ne Bill OF Mr.. Macon isto be viewed only
as substitute FOR the present non intercourse
system. It's not viewed here as a measure
OF coercion The restrictive part of it we
CONSIDER 90 keeping up remembrance on
the part fthe United States, against the de-
Crces and orders "a ott.r,r,s 49,. .s,.,iu