The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-23

these states. as respects her CONNIE ce and
manulac lures, as early As the year<1763 1t
- unnecessary or me TO relate the particu-
lar restrictions they may he seen by refer
cling 20 Parlia,nentary debates, vol. %, page
207. will also refer you to the questions
proposed to the celebrated Franklin, by the
British House OF Cotnmons-the questions
prove the uneasiness of the government,
fearing that we should meet with success IN
| our manufactures. and the answers do inn
mortal honor TO the American patriot. at
this period, it was n popular sentiment in
Great BRIAN. concerning these states, then
colonies, that every thing was to be dread
al from their increase of population and
skill IN agriculture, the arts and manufac-
tures"-as early as the year 1850, the Bri-
fish Parliament enacted, that no Sitting
mill or forge, or any iron works should be
established in America. The British have
ever been DESTROYS to keep US in the "gris-
tie" and were intent upon preventing our
ever hardening into manhood. They always
entertained views equally hostile towards
| Ireland; and ;her system o. oppression 10
continued aitho' they have Incorporated
Ireland as q part of the British empire
Can we for moment suppose, that she now
VIII favor our commercial intercourse! We
Cannon Tor a mnnient allow, that Great Bril-
(, tam viii adult our communicative with the
! continent of Europe, uni SIS under her infer
nal system Of granting a licence to trade.
| PerpiS me to take shost review of the
principles ard practice adopted OH these oc-
| casions. How iii founded in principle ia
carry on trade with nations, with whom
tncy are at war, and to intei Dict the same
trade TO neuirais, unless they act under 81
| special liccuCe. This is in direct proof
that "sc't interest Is, among nations, certain-
iy the great moving principle no national
measure, perhaps. is. at any time, the re-
suit OF pure generosity or coed viii" Forg-
ed papers are issued, and vessels arrive from
one European port in another, in the Course
OF a few DAYS. as if they had been carried
| by magic influence across the widespread
, ing waters ofthe Ocean, from the United
States--Can we for moment think OF Il
submission like this Our national sove-
reignty is thereby rehnqmshed; we are de-
graded beneath the rank of colonies--Ne-
IDvertheles, some Of our merchants who pre-
tend to reputation and character. do not
hesitate to accede to the terms Of this Ola.
bolical system OF oppression
| Under state Of things ike this, who can
pretend that "virtus is honored, and vice
always deteseed," or that as republican CT
uzens . we fear blows more than punish
! ment." Facts have lately been published.
which prove to what extent this fraud on ma.
tons is carried in Britain. | viii! cali TO
| your recollection, the case of "the Good
q
anu bound from Rochelle 20 Huii-she was
| captured and sent into England she was
tried on the 9TH of n november last before the
| British admiralty court--her liCence had
expired, bnt Sir Wan. Scott observed, that
under the distractions existing in respect to
! the commerce of England, the most liberal
Construction should be given 10 the licences.
she was therefore restored, paving the CAP.
tors expenses Tue Mercury under simi-
/ lar ~ = y
slime, and was restored WIN f:6igl.i ana ex-
pences. What hmcrican- who mas ever
theard of.ihe spirit OF rs, would MOI resist
such ,niringsments or neutral gigags & SUCH
woiaticns oy sovereignty? Inis state OF
J things reminds me Of tie answer made Dy
| Anacharsis to Soiun. when he conversed
wl'h !im abont his Intended reformation III
tie state, alas, saiu i've, all Yonr laws will
be found 10 reses,bie spider webs the weak
and small tiics w;H be caught, aud entaucled,
| but the great and powerful will always nave
strength enough 20 break thT, aga" should
tins DILL final. pass this house, think we
| may reasonably conclude that the following
| vii! certainty be soEle Cf the consequences
OF Its adoption.
| Our sovereignty being thus prostrateds
the lion once laid low, will re-assume LIS
| dominion and triunphantly tyrannise over
all mankind; the banners IS Britain, with
her system OF oppression, will be carried
from pole to pole; her former restless CO.
ionies wiii not pass unobserved. Let me ask,
world IL not be more becoming nc dignity Of
| a weak nation, by a voluntary offer on her
part, TO re assume her former secondary
characters We might then have some pre-
tensions to the protection and mercy OF our
ancient parent state-naY, we might de-
ceive the world, by declaring that it was
the wish OF the majority OF the sovereign
people.
The passage Of this bill will certainly lead
to war with one or both of the great beli-
gerent powers OF Europe--for according 70
| the orders IN council, we dare no; trade with
France and her dependencies according TO
the DEGREES or France, we dare not trade
with Great Britain and her dependencies.
! This bll! admits of trade with both powers,
under the restriction, that it is done by
means ofvesseis wholly American. Since
neither % the belligerents will reScind their
orders or DEGREES, 10 enforce a law founded
on this dill, we must permit our merchant
men to arm for their defence; the consequence
/ OF which will be, resistance to attacks from
either belligsrent. Thus shall we be led to
hostiities with both of them. am opposed
( tn this system il is well v us To- avoid "a
contest with either of them and far better to
avoid it with Both.
! IF we are to adopt preference in favor of
one or the other Of TIE belligerens, since
they will not act upon fair princ pies them
selves, it * proper That we should take fair
view of the American commerce Carried OIL
with & Stthat with ,he continent OF Europe.