The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-05-24
,~ye Guqulrgr.
RICHMOND, MAY %, 1871.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

The rnmor, which is now aHoat, may dis
sipa,e ia smoke {; yet ought we to permit il
TO pass away. without some benefit to the
public cause I! Reports are the creatures
of every hour Protligics themselves have
ceased TO be uncommon. But it is not often
that the minds of men are disturbed and
agitated to a great degree-Yet never, with
IN the memory of the reader, has this city
.een more deeply interested than by. the
runor OF this engagement at sea.
In the case OF the Chesapeake, there
was little or no suspense. The imagination
had no room to PLAY. except to body forth
the consequences which might spriug from
this disgraceful event. The engagement
IN almost all its parts, was presented to us
at once. Indignation a instantancousy took
possession of every American heart. But
the present report was incomplete in every
respect.--rhere was no doubt that there
had been an cngagement--but the story
was snapt in the middle. The result was
.unknown--waS it 20 wipe OF the stains OF
the Che sapeake ?----Was It tn redeem
our national fiig from disgra &c !-~IYas the
successive scene of our humiliation 10 be
closed at last !-For Two whole days was
the public mind in this cruel state Of sns-
pence. The fire Caught every man that had
a heart to feel. The American spirit,
which had been dampe, by the late igno
minious measures Congress, began again
to blaze forth--thf f1,pe Of patriotism
caught from breast TO breast.-And in the
expectation OF what;h he mex. mail from Nor
ioik might bring forth, the public mind
was agitated by every variety OF feel
ing.
AS the hour for the mail approached, on
Tuesday Evening, me crowd poured into the
main street. The Post Office was surroun-
lied. The heats of al were stretched with
expectatiuns-ind as soon as the Stage ap
peareo, the Passengers were assailed with
me most eager euqurieS--but disappoint-
hung upon he answer; here was ono mezvS;
mo other intelligence had reached Norfolk:
There had been firing but no certainty
OF an observation-disclosures had been de
tanned by Con rary winds, and did not go out
ti' M ntay morning. disappointment
was depicted on every face. Those who
nae burned with insignia ion at the sight of
the wounds OF the Chesape Ike, & had seen
the BRUSH government refuse all satIsfacto-
ny TedreSS, 'hough so earnestly & frequent.
iy pressedtor t,sghed again at the apprehen-
sion mat COT ONE shot had yet been fired tor
the honor OF America.
Inc same scene Is, perhaps elsewhere
repealed--out 1t Is impossible, that the fire
Can rage WITH more vehemence than il
d'd 10 this city. - This scene presents sa
lutary lesson To our rulers. Let them
learn, that the spirit of the people is I" NOT
dead; )" that it has far outserfpt The spirit Of
Congress that they are signing for some
legitimate opportunity TO redeem the iepu
tauon OF their Country, aud that let the go
Vernment only lead the way in SUCH Course.
they would second it WIN their utmost =
neTgies.
We had no doubt, that whatever orders
had been issued to Commodore Rodgers
Mr. Madison would be found to have had AN
eye tothe rights, Constitution g laws of his
country; that he would only have shaped
MS course by those rules which they had
prescribed to him and IN whatever way
TINS engagement was brought about, that the
administration had oeen gnided by the m st
iaIr and honorable principles I'VE regard
that event, as tending 10 vary in some de
gree the scene of indignities which we had
Witnessed Tor so many years. Was it any
wonder tHat people, VINO felt like patriots,
should nave wished the STAINS on the Ches /
apeak washed out? Was IL a wonder. that
iney VINO has eXecrated the impressment of
our seamen, should al last desire TO see some
symptoms OF opposition to this nelarlous 1
Practlce Those, who had biushedsior the |
weakness OF our measures, were willing tol
exchange them for something strunger.--]
nose whoWere sick of words were anxf.
GUS TO ",see what virtue there " was in
OuIets' oome even, who wished tor a peace
WITH LIB were strongls convinced, that ,
ehepc could be no beace untIl there had
oeen 7ear.--Thcre was not rehubZi. |
can, upon whom these and similar ideas
have not an effect. They owed peace
they had no tears that il would be lightly !
saci ihced--yet they clung, at every hazard,
to he honor of their country
am the firm friend of the President
! admire the course of measures Which
ne has-pursued--Hei is one of the ablest
aEsd puFest men, that ever ruled over he |
1estlnlesSot tree people. have that trust
~ mo-. which long and ilrustrious lite of
oeNleeS deserVes.-bUt tbeSpIrt, wi ich has
9sen shown IN this recent transaction. sug
5estS all taea which X is impossible tore |
press.
Why does not the President, at this time,
lisPiay that energy OF mind, which has dis
Iihgoished the principal acts Of his admi-
nisTalotrs' Why does not he, who resent
sd me lnsoent insults OF Jackson, who ls
sHeu the far-ianed Proclamation, and SEM
Ioops TO occupy FLORIDA, though on the
eve OF the moenngot Congress why does |
ne not eTfet the Sri ish ships of war rom
the waters and the jurisdiction of the u. |
States s.' =. -I9,-, ~
No one secs more distinctly, the necessi /
" OF preserving ihe righ,s Of our iurisdicI;- |
Oh III Sea-nor has any one protested. in |
5. ronger terms, .agaiast its iniringemen,. - |
WHIST secretary Of Stale, he often had c 4