The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-02-23
OF MASSACHUSETTS
REPORT ON OUR FOREIGN RE.
LATIONS.

ConSiutf ana report on the expectancy OF
expressing the sense of the Legislature ON
the present. alarming state of our Foreign
Relations, and on the causes which have
produced it; and whether any, and if any,
what measures may be adopted to prevent
the evils of impending War-have atten-
ded to the duties of their appointment, &
find on examination,
THAT by the message of the President
OF the u States to Congress, at the opening
ct the present session, aud the documents
Herewith transmitted, it appears that 4,
Minister deputed by the government of G.
Britain. to this country, with full powers to
negotiate ard conclude an accommodation
OF all e .ioversies subsisting between the
two nations. after being accredited and ha
wing entered upon the object of his mission
was suddenly informed by the American
Minister, that no further communication
would be received foom him. in consequence
OF an ailedged offence in the language used
IN some part of his correspondence This
event. viewed in connection with the resou-
lions OF Congress-, and the resentment dis
covered, and measures proposed 10y the
friends OF the administration, have materi-
ally changed the posture of our relations
will, Great Britain, since the last meeting
OF this Legislature, and in lieu of the pros
pect OF peace and amity, which We then
hailed as SO suspicious to our national pros
is to produce an open rupture with that ma
ton. A war with Great Britain, in the
present state of Europe, and under the ex
listing circumstances Of our country. would
be In the estimation OF your committee the
greatest calamity that could befau the Uni
ted States, short of the loss of their liberties
and independence, and would in its coi:se-
quences, endanger these blessings. A CON
viction OF this truth would justify any mem.
ne NJ (O,1pr H..
be ielt, in the expression of its dsapproba
tion and lis fears, even if no measures were
adopted by other States, calculated to sup
port the Administrations in its hostile att.
tude. But as several of the state legislatures.
partaking of the sensibilty of the. national
executive, have approved of the rejection
OF the British minister, in a tone which NAV
be deemed to disclose spirit ripe for open
hostility with his nation it is in our opinion the
DUTY OF TINS legislature to attempt to allay
these hostile propensitIes, and if possible, to
prevent a ruinous and unnecessary war, by
such an exposition of their sentiments upon
the present Crisis as may demonstrate the
extreme reluctance, with which the people
of this commonwealth would find themselves
compelled to engage in such war.
Aware OF the danger and Inconvenience
OF collisions between the measures of the ma
tional and state governments, and persuaded
tute the basis of the power of confederated
states, your committee have examined the
documents accompanying the Presidents
message, with sincere disposition 20 dis
cover sufficient justification for the rup
turc OF negotiation so deeply affecting the
interests of the nation. The cause allied
Sed is, that the British minister in his cor
respondence, persisted In using terms which
implied that the American government had
kQnWPHra Df f.c
had not authority to conclude the arrange
ment made by him in behalf of his govern
ment. after such knowledge haG been exp,i.
city dlsavowcd by the American executive
1t is not pretended that this is expressly as.
serted by the British minister to be fact
Your committee are unable to discern either
the assertion or the insinuation of this as
fact; nor can they perceive in any part of
the correspondence Of the British minister
expressions of disrespect or distrust towards
the government, much less the offensive
imputation of falsehood. They profess not
to determine whether the style of the Ame.
rican secretary, or that of the British min
lister was most conciliatory and conformable
TO diplomatic usage But they are utterly
at loss to discover open or covert insult,
or any insinuatiOns, which according to the
arbitrary rules of honour would Justify the
abrupt termination Of a conference between
high minded individuals, DESTROYS of amica-
bly, adjusting private controversy.
This conclusion, resulting from careful
examination Of the public documents, be
comes irresistible in the minds of your com
mittee, from the consideration that the i'm
puted offence, not only IS not specified with
precision by the American Secretary, but is
among the advocates Of administration, both
in and out of Congress, assigned to different
letters; to different erhreSSions in the same
letter, and to the entire correspondence on
the part OF the British minister, agreeably
to their own discordant constructions, and to
the CLOSES and comments suggested by their
various imagnations & modes Of reasoning
If however, the British minister had. ei-.,er
through accident or design, permitted him.
self to use equivocal expressions which in
ordinary times might justify this repulse by
proud monarch prepared for Omen hostiIi
ties, and glad of q pretext for war and con-
quest; yet at this era of political convulsion
when the tempest of war has swept every
Republic but ours from its base; and when
questions OF diplomatic ceremonial & usage,
even at the most Jealous courts are forgotten
amid the more weighty questions of national
safety and existence it is not conceived
that the national honour of our remote and
pacific Republic would for the use of such
doubtful words, without even demanding an
explanation require the dismissal of an am
bassador Of peace from one of the bellge-
rent powers, especially when the policy of |
the administration had dictated so long and
patient foTbearance under gross and cor |