The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-02-01


an additional military force Of IS 600
Men.
(1ar. SAcfey's Sheech conciuded)
FRIDAY, January 8.
But this Is not all. We may expect to
sec, and the day is not distant, when the
dominions of France shall not afford us a
market for single article, but all COM
merce with her shall either be intcrdicted
by her own government or abandoned BY
our merchntas as unworthy their pursuit ::
Ever since the date oft Berlin decree *
the pro.tration of the Prussian monarchy,
those who gave themselves the trouble to
think-and could think, saw that great
and radical change in the state of Europe
was intended by the imperial conquerer,
who Yields the destinies ct the continent.
Whatever the ultimate object might be, it
was early perceivable-that that mutual
dependence which exists between CONNER
ciai states, SO far as it respected the
French empire, was about to be dissolved,
and that it was to be dependant no longer
upon foreign nations for any supplies. To
this, every regulation (exterritorial or mu-
nicpaD adopted by its government has
kept steady eye. They are now stair
ing you full in the face. You see your trade
in the colonial products, formerly the most
profitable branch of our foreign commerce,
totally annihilated. The consumption of
your tobacco, great staple of the middle
states, reduced to one fifteenth of the whole
quantity consumed in France-and that
monopolised by the French government
who pays your merchants what it's rapaci-
ty dictates.
You see your cotton, once the great and
profitable staple of the south, subjected to
such enormous impost duties-as almost
amount to prohibition-for the avowed
purpose OF encouraging the culture of that
article IN Italy and the south of France
your flour and provisions find no market
there, because she has surplus of her own
production. The other articles in which we
are permitted to trade are so inconsidera-
Bile IN value that they form no serious item
in the account. Besides all this-you see
your merchants, after having submitted to
the injustice OF French regulations, and the
rapacity of French officers-compelled to
invest the little remnants of the proceeds
OF their cargoes in French silks, wines, and
brandies, in regulated proportions. Sir,
THIS detail ought to convince us-that n
commerce thus shackled and limited, is
not worthy the crusade which is meditated
and that the prospect as to it's future val
ue is still more gloomy. I believe were
the orders in council repealed to morrow
our commerce to France would not be
worth two millions, & circumscribed as it
already is, as long as the anti-commcrcial
sy EN- continues-we may expect that
will daily diminish.
But we have been told that all calcula-
tons, as to objects, means or consequences,
are to be laid out of the question, as sor-
did and low-minded. That feeling our
country's rights violated and her honor as
sailed-we ought to march heedlessly on to
seek redress ut every hazard. confess
was astonished to hear such a course re
commended. In the most unimportant con-
Germs OF life, a prudent man calls to his
and ms bestreason and deliberate Judgment.
But 1t seems in the great Concerns Of the
it's peace is at stake and
1ts future destiny hazarded, we must close
our eyes, set all prudence at defiance, and
move boldly on to our object and not dis
grace ourselves by consulting the lessons of
wisdom end experience which lie in our
way Dir, this nations honor is the pros
perity and happiness ofthe people. can
not consent to purchase national misery,
even should 1t be accompanied with what
gentleman call national honor. The alb
stract notions OF honor which regulate the
conduct OF individuals and which are valu-
aole III private life, ought not to be rule
Oh action Tor wise men to whom are COM
United the affairs cf nations-otherwisc
we might wage perpetual war. In the
whoe history OF our government, prudence
mas been considered a. essential 20 iegu-
rating our measures, particularly those
"nlch affect foreign nations. We have not
suffered oarseives 70 be led away by our
Feelings, but were governed by the very
Calculations which gentlemen new affect
SO much to despise. If we had not, we
should have waged Quixotic war long
since against France. Her DEGREES were
executed with the utmost severity upon our
commerce for several years---to which mas
been supcradGed every indignity and insult
TO winch nation can be subjected vet
mas 1t ever entered into the imagination Of
any one-that oar honor required we should
avehge ourselves on the imperial wrong-
doer by Carrying war into his own domin-
onst No. 1t would be considered as a
mag and hopeless attempt.
You have been in The habit Of paving tri-
outc considered as badge OF dependence
70 the Dey of Aigiers and other Barbdry
poWcrS' ior the express purpose Of securing
the property OF yonr merchants from cap
ture and your citize1s from slavery, whcr
engaged i'll Commerce, to which yol have
the mos. un1uestiohaJle title. Ton have
lately entered into u compact (fjr 50 YOU
viii call ~ with the Emceror of France
by which it was Stipulated, that in consid p
ration OF his permission to us---to trade tc
England & right which we held inAepcna.
ent OF ms coEtroi) We would case our right.
to be respected By her. WIZ were all thes,
things su9sred and done? Where was thi,
nc IOT Lt41t d, ;r v sr.,aituer nc NJ, T., a o.,