The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-06


-marshalled---the newspapers were eng ged
and the orators of this House come fortii in
all their strength. ! was also anxious Ia
share little of the credit, and therefore l
put in my little mite with the rest 1t was
said by some of the opponents to the mea.
sures OF the administration and the govern
ment, that their opposition had produced the
arrangement with Great Brit ain; and they
therefore claimed the credit of the happy
change. could not subscribe to this doc
trine, because could not perceive its rea
condolences. and it would have taken from
those with whom acted all the credit for
which they cOntended. 1t was bv others rs
cr,bed to the good disposition of Great Bri-
tain towards tile United States which had
ever existed, who said that Great Britain
mad been prevented from a display of that
good disposition to do us Justice on accouht
OF the Partially of Mr.. Jefferson to France
and his hostility to England. 1t was with
sorrow, however. sir, that heard that
great and good man callcc French parti
zan, man who could not be injured By such
ansounded charges, and whose name will be
inscribed in the Temple of renown in intleli
BILE letters; not only for his great abilities,
but his great goodness. To bring other proof
OF the good disposition of Great Britain.
Mr. Monroe's Treaty and Mr.. Roses mis-
sion were called up. 1t was a great corso.
ration to me, however, that il was admitted
ny the same persons that Mr.. Madison, in
whom have the greatest Confidence, was
impartial towards the two great bei,ige
rents and thereof. entitled to thanks and
appreciation. Another party, called the re
pnbicans ascribed the arrangement with
Mr.. Erskine to the wise and patriotic mea-
snres ott.e government, and to the events i'm
Europe which were at that time disastrous
II g 81,
but while we were contemplating this
golden age, this new era in our history lat a
time when the farmer had prepared his
graln tor marked, and promised his impa
tent creditor speedy payment, when the
mechanic expected an additional reward for
his labor; when the flag of the honest ira
DER hoated in the winds of every region, and
the seamen exulted with JOY at the return of
better times, and the wife and children of a
fond husband and affectionate parent cher
ished hope of meeting again the dearest
OBJECT OF their affection. detained by British
imPressment.--At this eventual moment it
was that the disavowal Of that arran cement
was announced To blast our hopes, and TO
put Gown our professions to credit. Laying
out OF the question past events, we are fur
hished by this disavowal with subject mat
ter tor another long talk equally as impor-
tant II not as amusing as the one have
mentioded-old grievances are done away or
merged In those of later date.
What is this new subject of discussion p
The origin and cause of this disavowaI This
involves several Questions, viz. whether the
aisavowal originated in British perfdy or in
tue mistake or misconduct of D. NJ. Erskine,
esq. the British minIster--aDd also an exa-
mlnation OF the understandable charge of
Mr.. Jackson, the dismissed British minister
ho Il. &. r
the disavowal from the king of England to
the Executive of the u States
shall not enter into tedious and DISCUS
ting detail. but confine myself to the spirit
OF the correspondence-nor shall enter in.
10 4 construction of Mr.. Jackson's verbaee
and phraseology, but IF its obvious and ma
tural import. The disavowal could not have
originated in the misconduct of Mr. Erskipe.
because no gentleman will impute to him
an unworthy motive; high character, his
uniform loyalty to his master the king, for
BIDS such an idea. In addition to this / would
call tony aid the doctrine of HUMAN nature,
ana ask what motive could exist in Mr..
Erskine to deceive his own government or
the ". States. A motive for such conduct
does not exist. But on the other hand every
honorable consideration. as well as every o.
ther rational motive, must have Impressed
upon his mind the necessity of complying
WITH lis majesty's wishes. His standing as
a man OF integrity and intelligence, his con-
tinnance Ak minister in this Country, al! de
pendedupon the faithful execution of7the trust
confded TO his charge. He must have known
that a violation Of instructions would only
have injured his own country and the Uni
ted States, IN producing a disavowal The
disavowal therefore must have originated in
the innocent misconception of Mr.. Erskise,
or in the punic faith of England.
Upon this subject shall think for myself.
Leaving out those eve s which would go
to cast odium on the British cabinet, let me
remind the committee that Mr.. Erskine is a
man OF understanding, a man of integrity.
and he still asserts that he acted agreeabiy
to his maIes,y's wishes and to the spirit of
the Instructions given him. / must refer to
the declarations of Mr.. Erskine in the grin
ted document:
Under these circumstances, therefore
finding that could not obtain the recogni
lions specified in Mr. Canning's despatch Of
the Esd January (Which formed but one part
OF his instructions TO me) in the forma, man
ner required, l considered that it wonld be
IN vain to lay before the government of the
Y. States the despatch in question, which I
was at liberty tn have done in erteHso had
thought proper: Bnt as Ind SUCH strong
grounds for believing that the object of his
majesty'S government could be attaiued. tho
in different manner. and the snirit, at
least, of nv several letters Of instructions
be fully Complied with. felt a thorough con
vlction upoa my mind. that should be ac.
ting i'll Conformity viii, his majesty, wishes.
add, accordingly, concluded the inte prov