The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-06-30

Possibly sentiments of Misrepresentation as to the
course taken by the government in relation Great
britain may have arisen ia tie minds OF some, from
want OF thorough know ledge oil the real chan scer
nature anu extent oil the BRUSH agressio,s yols-
ton OF the rights OF the United States. From this
consideration" feel impressed wit.the propretv OF
ske.ehmg to you summary oil the System. shall
exhibit the statement in Il form as concise AS M az IN,
practicable and consisteat with perspe Jity.
IL were scarcely wor, the WHILE bus for the pur-
pose oi marking the progressive extension OF British
hostility to the commerce of this country, 10 enume-
rate the different species OF restrictions the results
CT that hostile policy, which have distinguished 81,
course from the year 1898 the time when the OK.
isting orders in council we're Issued; because in these
All Tie others may be sad to be merged eScepttliat
such part ut. them il discontinued ~ form ,rJy Pc
quii'el that American vessels destined for cer,;n
permitted ports, should FIRST enter British por;s and
pay duties Tor permission proceed t. the ports of
original destination. -
Tic existing orders in council do In fact cor. pre-
hend tho a,,picaton oil the rule OF 1856 and the re-
stfic''ons On colousi tfse. Fiat rule, by subject,
g 20 csPt"r: ard ccndemnatioe all articles destined
ior port OF the enemy, from which such articles
were prohibited Ivy the municipal regulations of that
enemy when in state of peace, WAS certainly an in
fraction Oh neutral rights; for there cannot be any
Just ground for denying the right either OF the bci
sereht 10 open lus ports, Whenever he pcases, for
what articles he peases, of the neutral to carry
such articles, not being contraband of war, into
such ports it nor actually 6tockaded 1t is only {.
municipal regulation, which the one (tie bell;pc-
rent always has right to make, Of which a state
o! war, no more than state of peace. deprives
hiin and 1t must be right complete in the
otner (the neutra to carry such articles into Tie
oegerents ports not SO 6Loekaded, always excepting
af.c'es contiaband of wara right of which the neu-
trai cannot be justly deprived so long as he retains
the neutral character.
The restrictions on colonial trade, by rrohiltinr
neutral vessels, aud subjecting chem TO capture
9lcretor, from trading in the produce of the enemy
rom one port to another port OF the enemy was al
80 an lrtcton OF neutral rights; for the lust rights
oil n neutral nation diminished by the sa.,. of
war, into which the belgeren;, have chosen 20 place
themselves; and the neutral uSt To be Tree to trade
with all the heigerents III any articles not really and
properly eontaGanc or udr but in the present or.
Ies IN council all these distinctions are obtera,cd
hese ny sweeping introduction, cut off the trade
VI Tie United States in all articles whatsoever whe-
.lier OF foreign growth or manufacture OF of the
grown OF the United States, from every port Of the
european continent from which her trade is prohi-
oteu ny her enemy. This interdiction extends to
4" &c portion OF Europe besides France itself. The
question now, therefore, between this country and
"rest-Hrital, is not merely question relating TO
CERTAIN commercial rights, about which speculative
onue'ans may have differed in opinion 1t is clear
" anu directly question of ntlenendence-that is
10 say@whe,er the United States are really an iu-
dependent nation. 49, "
Lie foregoing picture of the situation of American
ohherce under the pressure OF British impressions
Tar from being too highly coiared. On the contra-
y't is drawn with an aspect much mider. perhaps
'a me real character of the aggressions might war.
rant. Were to paint them in much more glowing
might st'll be far short ofpourtraying to the
eAteht OF their snornity the injuries which Great
orita'h mas been so long accommodating upon this
country ''
Besides the numerous violations of our commercial
rights, SO iong and often repeated and extended
ioni phe 10 time to a; wider and yet wider range of
aggression, we have 10 the outrsges in i'm
pressing American seamen which exceed all manner
:" description. We have to brood over the captivity
ana slavery of more than six thousand American CT
" e has ofsc -
oh VINO are ncarcerated in dreary floating dungeons
ia the bltlsh navy, or many OF them as have not
already FOUND refuge in the arms Of an untmeIy
oeath. IT is highly presunable that rnany-many
others, of whom the government has received no in
10, nSt"n "a yet IN that Geporable condition To
all these may he added others STILL to no very small
shoun', OF the impresament of whom accounts
nave been published. This most abominable prac-
t,ce IS going ON with, perhaps, still more aggravated
'oe"ee than heretofore. To give full scope to re-
r of the wide extended system of outraces
ana the.? consequences wl.ich under the sanction OF
that government, have been committed and still are
III operation, against the rights of this nation and
nu'utude OF ITS citizens, would swell up the pages of
o'i,S auuress TO an announcement extent.
Ley us consider what our government has done
now IohS has been its orhearance under many and
such deep injuries Let us consider how often ne
socatioh alter negsciation has been resorted for
e purpose OF avoiding war; and let consider that
ltc IMPRESSIONS Instead OF having been in any man
ner miugated, have been extended TO still higher
a;~ OF any sort of disposition in the British cabinet
10 reaX but with the strongest evidence of deter
ni'i"uoh 10 persist IN their careerJ What other
course then, was there left tt United States but
war cry Tar be ii from my soul to entertain up-
on th's occasion single sentiment in unison with
uift sort OF passion; whch urges the OF blood
to Slaughter his fellow beiugs! Not as such u man.
am III favor OF resort to war; out as 4 ctzcn of
thus reat community, feeling fer the wrongs inflicted
ON my country-sensbc, and loug ago sensible of the
outrageous violations OF this countrys rights, rclin-
qushment ct which system of Injuries has been
sought ana tbght for IN vain, by every fair means
OF negOcatiOn, until all have been exhausted. As
the last and now only remaining alternative in Just
vndbcaion aud defense OF those violated rights this
course has presented itself. -..
In respect to war with England, the feelings of
tins nation have been aPpssed the GROUND 81
its ougin--om the ground that the people Of this
country have generally descended from British stocks
OF ancestry. These circumstances have been pathe
ticnIy brought into view snd addressed to the heart
as inducements 60 refrain frOtn waging the war.
he propensity IN man 20 respect the memory Of s
ancestors is not denied Natirc herself oonsecrates
thc sentiment but strong precept of nature binds
htin To his countty-snd no sucl, consideration ought
to produce in his mind any eject incompatible with
the d"ty that lie owesato his country. However
may resere the memory of those from whom have
descended (ard the w.oe line OF my ancestry is tc
lie traced back TO English origin cannot forget that
bee" injured in manner and Ca degree not easily
20 be described. In the immense volume Of wrongs
which II has sustained from England, rcad-woVJ
say my apology no indeed should be unworthy
of the very stock from whence | have descended, i
were 10 use the term apology read IN that vas,
volume the solemn injunction OF duty drectiEg me
90 tlis course.