The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-06-14

mat Mr N. htmsey did not know!
That Mr. &e--.=:e:- ;;!;;::ssss ::::osss ~,
Nay--that the French Emher,r
was unable to tell him, at the date of
his last dispatcnesi
And why!-Because, there is every rea-
son to think that he will not make up his
resolution, until he sees that we have con
formed to our own part of the engagemene.
The Duke of Massa's letter proves il.
The Imperial Address of the 3lst March
confirms the superstition for, after speak
ing of the DEGREES. it says that /" fhe fate
Of the american Commerce will soon be
decided. / will favor it, il the u. 5. CON.
form themselves to these decrees"s Hare
the U 5. conformed themselves. This is
point which rests upon the last supple
mental act of Congress-.
But this Act was not in his possession, on
the 31st March-for on that day, it had not
even reached France:
The Aurora, too, must be mistaken when
1t says that the French government con-
siders our non importation law as a VIOLATE.
on ofthe egg agement" for there is anotherlet-
ter from Bordeaux of the OH April as late as
those to which the Aurora refers, which ex-
pressly states THAT no decision will be made
ON any American case, until it is ascertain
led whether the Non-In,ercourse act has
been strictly enforced against England and
that (they) had no accounts from the u. s.
later than the 18th January"
That law certainly reached France on
the 10Th Aprii-because, on that day, the
John Adams arrived at L'Orient, with MIR.
Ewing He, no doubt, Carries out dis.
patches TO Me-. Russelis2 with the broper
EXPLANATIONS of that law.
lime will show, whether these will be sa-
tisfactory-but, under existing circumstan-
ces. there are reasons to think. that France
Will adhere to her engagements:
| 1st. She has principally directed her
hostility against the Commerce of Britain.
10 cut oil her resources, and thus to I'M
nerve her sinezys of zoar, she is resorting to
the most coercive measures. She has near
~ succeeded in driving the British goods from
the Continent--is it not, therefore, her in
terest to have 40 millions worth of British
manufactures excluded from the American
market!
I'd. La the North of Europe her ascendant
|cy is not perfectly fixed. There are symp-
toms OF Justification, and perhaps of war. on
the side OF Russia. The Gar has lately
sent, IN the course of months. 800 pieces of
artillery to his frontier towns-so say the
London prints. Troops are filing off to-
wards Poiand-and the same prints tell us.
that France is dispatching fresh troops. into
Prussia. lis this time for France to
abolish he system of Cancellation. towards
the u. s. I
Sd. These clouds in Russia are darkened
oy the gloom in Spain.--Nfassena has evacu
ated all Portugal, except Almeida, which
the British. under Gen. Spencer were about
to bockade-the French would be unable
TO relieve it--Lord Wellington, availing
himself OF this respite, had reached Nissa
on .the 18th April. on his way to Estrema
dura, to join and re enforce Beresford. -
part ct Massena's troops had retreated
te Zamora and Touro on the Douro---a pa TT
under .Massena, had marched to the S. r.
towards Placehtia. Bessieres had not join..
ed him-but had retired to Valladold, still
higher up the Douro, than the City of rou-
TO.
Towards the S. the French had evacua.
ted all Estremadura, except Olivenca and
BadaJoz-whiCh Beresford had invested
ne former had capitulated on the l4th-
the latter would share the, same fate. Be
restord was at Zafra, about 20 miles from
neville--and Bake the chief executive ma
glstrate OF the Cortes) was to leave Cadiz,
form junction with Bailesteros, and CO.
operate with Beresford. in an attack upon
SeVnie--Souit was at that city and
Mortier on the advance thither.
The troops of the allies were more hume
rous than those of the French, & unless Mas
sena, should be able by an extraordinary
COUP dc main to join his countrymen, Victor
would be compelled to raise the siege of Ca
diz-Seville might be abandoned, & the ar
mics would retire on Madrid.
1t is clear. at least, that the situation of
INC frehoi, lin spain is big with gloom
and that 1t the Spaniards were true to them
selves, at this juncture of affairs, they might
avail themselves of this opportunity 70 raise
the altar. of their independe nee on promis-
ing ground.
These circumstances may predispose the
French Emperor to study Cancellation aid
adhere tohis engagements with the u. S. -
y In few days we shall perhaps, learn his
ultimate resolution--but until the President
shalt hear from France what Impressions
may be wrought by the dispatches TIER the
John hdanss, it is not to be presumed that the
President will adopt any new measures
The helm of state will remain as it is !; I'M
tees the Esser should bring out such dis
patches from France, as express a hosiffve
demand OR her part to nary the terms of
the engagement. Or, unless Mr.. Foster
shall be charged with instructions to an
nounce the repeal of the Orders in Council
and 6iockade-But the tone of the Courier
x private letters from England, forbid our
Fostering any such expectations.
W In this state of uncertainty, tumors
may be expected of very different com
plexion from the sentiments which have lust
been exPressed.-Out of the foam of public
sentiment. bubbles will arts.. oi;,ts, s.