The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-02-27

mit--to triae with our wrongs and mock
at our bleeding honor-and when he was
checked in the high career of inso!ence. he
turned short upon his heel and contemptu-
ousiy gave our government the leland then
he appealed to the people to sanction his in
sult-to criminate their own government
and applaud that of the King, his mGs-
Ter
Citizens Of the United States, let not the
appeal be made in vain meet and announce
your sentiments. If you are base enough to
lick the foot appraised to spurn YOU if We
are slaves enough in spirit 10 kiss the hand
which yet reeks with the blood of your IA
theirs and brothers--meet and unite YOUR
efforts with those of "the British party -"
to re- colonize these United States, and once
again become the subjects of George the
Third-but if the Spirit of 70 lives in your
bosoms-f one drop of the blood of the he
roes OF that period courses in your veins,
then will you meet, and solemnly before the
throne of Heaven declare to defend your 60.
vernment and country, and their Indepen-
dence. at the hazard OF all that is dear in
lite-nay, to cling to them even in the grasp
of death.
The proceedings Of our government, in
respect to foreign powers, have been so up
right. so blameless and patriotic, and are so
well known to all our fellow citizens, that
we deem it useless to recapitulate, and I'M
necessary to praise. 1t has manifested
love of Justice and Peace, and determua.
ton to be strictly neutral, which, had they
been met by reciprocal dispositions, would
have not only secured the prosperity and
happiness of our own country. but would
have smoothed the wrinkled front of war,
and Moderated its miseries. Our govern
ment have been so far from seeking cause
for war, that they have put it by when it
has obtruded itself. Our government has
been SO unwilling to enter into 'the unpro-
fitable contest that they have rather lu-
gered behind public opinion, and moderat-
ed public resentment, than hastened the
one or whetted the other Such govern
ment deserves to be supported, and we
pledge ourselves collectively and individual.
ly, that in its defence we are most willing
to risque our all.
The times and circumstances demand,
that we cast off all reserve, that we unbo-
som ourselves freely-and we frankly con-
fess that to us War appears inevitable. We
love Peace-a long train of blessings and
comforts attend her, and we would have her
to dwell with us, if Freedom, Honor and
Indehcndence did not stand fertered and in
danger. We hear their voice, and spring
Il
rugged tug of War;
War! with all thy dangers and thy evils,
thou art welcome-for thou wilt pluck up
our own drowning honor by the locks, and
once again give us 'our equal station among
the nations OF the earth ,
Fellow Citizens, we have dix harged our
duty-We call upon you to discharge
yours. Remember, that every individual
owes duty to society; and that if ever the
discharge of that duty becomes solemn and
sacred obligation, 1t is so at this time.
JOHN BARKER, Chairman.
F. WoLBERT, Secretary.
The following resolutions were then read.
and the question being taken on them seve-
rally, they were carried without a dissent
ing voice:
1. Resolved, As the opinion of this meet
ing, that The conduct of the Executive of the
United States, IN treating with the govern
ment OF Great Britain. and every other TO
reign government, and their agents, has been
moderate, dignihed, and such as COMFORTS
with the sincerity and good faith of the chief
magistrate of a free, neutral and independent
nation
2. ResoiOed, That in the various acts of
perfidy, insult and outrage upon cur citizens,
property, flag and country, committed by
ing justice or redress by diplomatic negoci-
alton.
5. RESOLVED, That we consider the outrage
committed upon the Chesapeake, as an au-
thorised and deliberate act of hostility, on
the part of the British government; and that
the various articles and frauds, combined
with breach of faith and contumelious insult,
displayed by the ministers and agents of c.
Britain, constitute acts of war, calling for
atonemcnt or immediate retalia-
ton.
A. ReSotped, That the proclamation of the
king and privy council of Great Britain, in
viting our citizens to break the laws of our
country, was an interference in our internal
government, which would, in itself, justify
a declaration of war.
S. RESOLVED, That the proposition of the
British government, to enforce our laws by
its navy, was an insidious attempt to repre-
sent the American government as unable to
carry into effect the laws which it passed );
and to wheedle us into war, to maintain
British domination on the ocean.
6. ResokUed, That savage nations are just
ly condemned for numbering their prisoners !;
and the Barbary powers for putting them to
hard labor but it was reserved for the Bri :
fish government to refine upon crnelty, so
far as 20 seize upon the citizens of friend
ly and neutral nation, and compel them to
fight against and murder their fellow coun..
trymen, their friends, their fathers, and their
brothers.
z. Resolved, That in dismissing super
cilious and insolent minister, called Francis
James Jackson, the executive of the United
States has maintained the dignity of the chief
magistrate of free and independent peo-