The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-10-18

'unui ""u, III the wealthy proprietors OF ia.
maica. and other neghbcring islands. as welt
as tothe aspiring master Ut Peru * Mexico.
very prudent though very tardy regard foe
our neutral rights.
Great changes gre working under the
hand OF God. on this continent, and our
weiSht thrown in the balance of pdepen.
dence and liberty could wean for ever the
ne" world from the old, ard leave the cabi-
nets OF. London and Paris, to repent OF their
ord'rs, their DEGREES. and their plunder,ng
system,
an too well acquainted with he mode,
ration and pacific views OF the North A.
net'can people, to, believe, in earne I. thac
the Citizens now at the head of their govern.
inent nave any hostile views agains, e,,het
OF the Delligerents, and indeed If VIC were
| 10 judge OF their secret Intentions by their
measures, 1t would appear that they ra,hee
'noulsad too far the -fiattering hope of pre-
ser'ihi. peace and neutrality on an honora-
BILE and safe basis. UnIcquain,ed with the
deep immortality Of European politics toey
nave thought that justice and re son would
nnaliy prevail but jus ice and reason have
long ago put on the mantle of mourn ming i'm
that part Of the world. And it is only by
Irepuis,on equal to the action that we may
henceforth expect to maintain our neu rail-
ty, between powers bent upon one ano,her,S
Idestruction, who consider as lawful hate
H.
braced that infamous old Roman MAXIM
that surrounded by arms the laws are si-
lent lnter arma silere leges.)
our defence means are OF two Sorts mi
ltary and political, and if l have not concei
we'd an erroneous opinion o. he rights and
dnties OF an American ctizen,I shall submit.
with CIVIC confidence, my ideas on the an
Phcatlon which could be made If those DOW.
ertul restorauves, to raise us from state nj
stupor to political life.
martial attitude, by land and by sea
ought evi emily TO be he object of our i'm.
mediate efforts, aud ! should cecommend
accordingly:
l. o form, as soon as possible, ar,nies Of
neutrality to the north ano TO he south
OF our empire. with able officers, ,r,ientarv
ola troops OF the line. and adunc- d-af.s of
me militia to serve only three moths by
irotation.
2. 10 concentrate, increase and improva
cur scattered. ard now useless Hdt;lia. on tbs
plan Oh the hotiilas of Russia and Sweden
ana station wo divisions 1T hose very nse.
iui armamerts. with sufficient number of
transports. IN the most convenient for fed
hapoors, ct the two extremes of our sea
shores 80
5. To strengthen our naval ,orce on he
ANS ana SUBJECT t. The requlsition of go
vernment al, the craft used for their naviSa.
ton
= 10 repair and garrison. to the full com.
PIGMENT OF war, he most useful OF Our forts
on he frontiers.
D. o arm a sufficient number of fir oates
ana sleeps OF war TO protect our maritime
aolh'n,oh-' escort our national convoys % the
rieno1y markets open to our trade. and if
wanted 20 form junction with the flotilIas.
% pcgin IN earnest the building of men
OF wal OK the first and second rate. perse.
we're with an invariable stead,ness in that
national undertaking, until ne haze mann
ana ProVioe by law tor the selection pre
so'Vauo" ana regeneration of ship mber
ana 'he encouragement of the cultivation
ana manufactare of hemp, and # all the arts
useful to military w. (2)
t"eSe are the summaries of the princinaJ
miiitary means which, as far as l am Able,
oJuuse rom my solitary retreat. could be
attended with utility, besides those already
IN ope' alton.
ne political means do not all. " their
nature admit OF publ c investie ation.I
kho" several which might be highly SER
V'Ceaoie out l must content myself RI
suggest the proPr 'ety of securing the friend.
snip ana confidence of the new governments
OF oouth Emerica, and of the West Indies.
anu oi giving to our federal, executive the
power o' sequestering, agreeable to ths
principle OF the law of nations which de-
c!ares the property of the subject ansxsra-
Die for the debt or the, tresspasses of the
sovereign. the property of Deligerent sub.
Jects within our jurisdiction, Just as thew
take It themselves besides our own On
board OF our vessels at sea and in /hs;s.
hortS ." 'HeH
me next step. after having made thosa
military and political arrangements ongh,
10 De a second declara ion offndehendc nce.
emitted ny virtue OF a law of Congress es,.S
ohsni"g ur own American principlys ne
neutrality, making agreeable to our ,reaties.
our maritime dominion, forbiddina, Eore,,sr
any 6eiIigerent power to occupy It BY efFsc.'
tive forces or fancifui proclamatioos and
warning all the powers of ths earth. mar
u any OF oar vessels, under the escort n, o,,-
men OF war, after the affirmation OF ,be.
CON nandant " that they have no contrr-
cana on board, were searched. par, os
their cargo seized, or the whole vessel To-
ken oy a force which the escort couid' w
PUNISH or repe, that violence would re
siuered as hostile, and immediate me en-.
taken to suspend entirely our trade wi eS
tresspassing nation, and TO obtain ga, 'ne
ton TO the amount If our damages. s'a'+"
1t l. more han p obable, that 81
nihed and equitable language, CT Dig
by the means above mentioned Imported
s"er much better purpose -, 'uid an.
MINISTERIAL complaints or cor mo an further
d lons, winch, in the preser : s,.. e'ai retail
@ou d have TO much afir / 'te OF things,