The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-02-02


majority OF the population is composed o
emigrauts from France, aud the descendant:
OF Frenchmen that among these, there
exists predominant attachment to the 20
vernment of France. l shall not attemp,
to controvert the fac. tina. there are indi
viduals Of wealth and influence in that ter
ritory, who, from early habits and educati
on, have imbibed a strong prediction for
French laws, customs and manners. Nc
lapse OF time, no change of situation can ob
hyerate the impressions which the mind re
ceives from early precept and example,
Is 1t to be expected that people who g
laws and usageS, from time immemoral,
have been materially different from hose
which constitu e the rule of conduct in This
country, and whose ignorance of our politi
cal institutions results from the very nature
OF The government under which thew have
hved. can suddenly tranfer their Elections
! from that system OF Jurisprudence which has
been handed down from their ances urs TO
| government whose laws they do got under
stand either in theory Of practice ? Such
a transaction cannot be reconciied without
the aid OF practical experience, by which
the blessings If our free constitution are de-
monstrated in the security which it affords
," The lite, liberty and property of the citi-
zen.
| How far the original inhabitants of Loui-
| siana are liable TO the charge Of French par
| 'iality am not prepared to say bu' be
| leve them to be an orderly class OF societr
well disposed towards the government o
the United States. Those who manifest he
| greatest regard for France re to De found
among lie erigrants whose views and ex-
pectations carry them beyond the simplicity
Of republican form OF government. But
while admit the eXiSteac &c of French in
fiuence in that quarter OF the union to
Certain extent / cannot Ike it the basis
on which to justify refusal TO emancipale
the great body Ut the peU,}le from the ram
mels ofterritorial vassal:Ee. Is it good rea-
son, Why The people whoreside witaIn the Cir
Gle OF the Essex junto should not enjoy
quai rights with the rest OF iheir fellow ci.
,izens, that those who compose that associ
alton are avowedly the partizAns o. Eng
land! presume a propo iton 10 trench up
m Their ighis would be viewed with The ut
most aDhorrence and detest, ton as an act
OF political intolerance, unprecedented in
The history of this government. AID yet,
sir venture 10 pronounce that these Bri-
tlsh attachments, fostered and cherished a.
midst the wrongs and insults which we
have received rom the nation, not only IN
this nursery oftory firincihLes, but in most of
the commercial cities of the United States,
have already Produced more mischief TO THIS
nation, than the miserable Frcnch influe &c
existing III Ne~ Orleans would produce IL
hall Century. In a government like his
1t Is vain to expect that men will no think
| and act tor themselves; and so far as their
| actions DO not amount 20 an open violation
| OF law, hey Cannot the restrained; .,nu tor
one, am very willing 10 "toIegate error of
opinion, when easpn is left free to combat
| it, BY erecting this TERRITORY into a sepa-
~ re nd trhs nHDnf III,
granting to its inhabitants equal civil and
political rights with the rest of he union
you will merit the confidence and affection
OF hose who value as they ought he i'm =
| p II ant privileges Conferred upon them. -
| ~ will arrest from those who seek 10 dis
turh the tranquility of TIE coun r., bv excit-
ing feuds and internal disorder among the
i people, every pretext for the accomplish
ment oftheir purposes; and you will invite
to this exposed section of our country a
population, SO necessary in the hour of dan
ger, to resist the occupation OF the shores
and waters of the Mississippi by aninvading
enemy.
From the influence of France nothing need
be feared. The distance. by which we are
separated rom that great power, is a suffi
Gent guarantee that NJ attempt will be made
on her part subvert our authority in Lou
isiaoa. France is not in situation 10 assail
us it such disposition existed in her ruler
The want of naval power will, for many
years to cone form an insuperable barrier
to the Introduction of French army into
the United STATES. But the people of the
territory OF Orleans can never be prevailed
on to Commit their destinies to an adven u
rer 4; they enjoy not OILY the necessary
contor s, but the luxuries of life in abun,
dance; their increasing wealth furni hes a
Certain pledge of futurc greatness. The
government OF which they now form a com
pc ent par though in many particulars DIFF
ferent from that in whose laws they have
been educated. is exempt from the desc
lating storm which carries misery and dis
tress into every region of the old world 8,
under the auspices of our mild and salutary
constitution, they NAV repose in fun conf.
dence that their political CONNECTION viii mol
depend on the whim or caprice of the ".
rants Ut Europe. j. cam be forgotten that
ii the situation of colonies they were bought
and sold ike herds of cattle, at the will o
foreign nations, without regard to their feel.
ngs or wishes With these insuperable t,e,
on the allegiance of the people OF he tcrr,
tory OF Orleans; ] consider it an act both O.
justice and polio, 20 receive them as brother,
: III the great American family.
Permit me, now. sir, 20 call the atte tito,
; OF the House 10 the argumen, orthe gentirmar
from Massachusetts. We are told by tn
gentleman, that the provisions of this biz
are in direct hostility TO the constitu,ion
and materially affect the rights and ljber
ties OF the whole people Of the u States