The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-02-22
GDe Gugsilrer.
RICHMOND. FEBRCARY %. 1911.
TTHE CRISIS.
To the Congress ofthe U. Stare

IL rs Just TWO years past, since the Embargo
was repealed. When, at that great CRISIS.
the alternative was laid before Congress, of
submission or honor, OF firm opposition to
our wrongs or cowartliy abandonment of
our rights. an artificial panic was excited,
the most glooaly pictures were drawn of the
effects of the Embargo, every means that
an unprincipled opposition could use was
brought to bear upon the government. and a
panic-struck, pusilianimous Congress Yielded,
like osiers, to the blast. They shrunk from
their duty they covered bene;. n the pres.
sure of the crisis; shall / remind you of the
You fnd them in the relaxati-
on of rhe national arm--you find them in the
energy ofthis union, debilitated and unnerved
lyon see them i'll the prostitution of the Ame-
rcan flag to the tricks of British smugglers,
and to the disgrace of British licenses-you
see them in the sequestration of orr vessels
and the detention of our seamen in the ports
of F. ar1ce.-But the catalogue does not close
here.
We are disgraecd in the eyes Of Europe. -
The tyrants of tue old world ridicuie tile i'm
becility of republics. Our government is
desp'sed for its want of energy. and our peo.
pie are held up TO scorn for their unmanly
sacrifice of RICH at the shrine of noncy 49,
Ask The American, who has just rctn ned
from Europe--who witnessed our res TT %
the Embargo with a sentiment OF rapture,
and It's repeal with sense of commisserati-
on for the disgrace Of his country ASK him.
what were his feelings, when the censure
and contempt of Europe salu,ed his ear
Read the public papers of England and of
France. See the studied insults which
our ministers have received at the courts of
Europe The conclusion rends the heart,
but it is impossible to conceal the CALLING
hated truth, that the name of America is
sunk in the eyes of the World.
The INDIGESTION of our government; and it's
unmany nporising course of expedents !;
have left stain upon our character, which
some great and decisive effort is necessary to
expunge. You blush At these disgracefut
truths---you blush tor the disgrace of your
country vet what are you about 20 do?
l ell you, that you have reached anot err
grea, CRISIS in our history. And he same
time-serving system the same pusilianimity
which suffered the Embargo to perish the
same influence, which disgraced us before !;
trust me, blush 30 say so are about to give
ne blow to the interests and honor of
America
When w repealed the Embargo, our cha
rac:er for hrnness aud decision was shaken,
These great qu.'i.ies which are necesssr,
{ meet every great crisis. whether they may
nj he'd oy the impeclity of our measures
But here were till left tous the ml!der. tho
less magnificent virtues, which adorn mai
on-an adhcre.re to principle, the love of
faith, respect for the rights of others, en-
gagements which had never been violated,
and a good name which had never been
blown upon by the breath Of suspicion Per-
fid had sneaked from our doors. to seek an
asylum in other regions So long as our
ia,h was preserved nvioiate, we were Safe
Right was OH our siie, although in certain
cases we might have snvunk from its asser-
lion
But what are you about TO do, no,p ? You
have made a solemn pledge TO one nation, that
you will, under cer' ain circumstances, impose
"a Noni mpori alton Act upon the commerce
Of another, from and after the Cd of Febru4
airy This is as solemn an engagement, rs If
it were made with all the formaI,ties of
treaty. The fippant sophistries OF Mr.. Ran
dolph on this subject are unworthy Of n.
tee. This man can style the arrangeme mt
with ErsSine 6 a bargain" on the part of tit
u States, and afterwards represent the
Nnn-Iu,ercouf,e law of May as mere mu-
nicipai rule which we may shuttle off at
pleasure | is not from such political SIX "
rockets as these, that / hail look for any
thing like fixed principles of action. I
would as soon pretend to lay down the &c.
centric course OF Comet, or submit, to the
guidance OF Jact y-LaHhorn. al take
such a devious politician as Mr.. r. for my
leader
The only question is has France compli-
ed With her engagement For if she has
been guilty Of breach of iai'b, there is AN
end 20 the business The perhdy of France
discharges US from all obligation. And not
moment should be lost, TO strike The non
importation act from our own statute book
There is n reason to believe, that
France has been guilty of perfidy. / speak
of course, only from he documents which the
world have seen.-But what does the
Duke of Massa's lie ter tell usl That no
American cases. after the I'd November,
will fall under the ope ion of the Berlin
on the ID February, when our own engage
meHt 10 France begins to Tux eff ct our yes
sells and their cargoes will be surrendered
to their owners; that from that moment,
when our ports shall be closed to Brit Sin
ships and merchandise, French ports shall
be open to the vessels of America, which
may then go in and come OFT. liable to no u
Their restrictions han such as her municipal
regulations may impose.
On the other hand we are bound TO re
vive and enforce cer.ain parts of the nom M
portation act-that IL, to seize every British
vessel, and every article Of British growth or
merchandise. which may arrive in our ports
alter the I'd of Februar..-Will you fulfil
this engagement, or will you mott Upon
this question, sirs, our faith as a nation, the
IN erests of those merchants who have risk-