The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-03-24

arc said TO have been so inactive, what has
been done, in the present session, by way Of
preparation for anticipated war. Notwith-
standing the novelty of the subject, our in
experience i'll WAY, and the consequent diff
tcuity OF arranging the details OF large mi
iitary body. its equpage, sc. we find that
congress have passed some acts and or
ginatcd others
To fiji up the ranks and prolong the en-
hstlnents OF the present army;
10 raise an additional regular force of
twenty-five thousand men;
10 authorize the employment Of a.yoiun-
ser force OF fifty Thousand men:
10 raise six Companies OF mountcd Ran
gers tor the defence of our western frontier
10 arm the militia;
To authorize detachnents of militia
| 10 complete the fortihcation of our pari-
time frontier;
To repair and lit cut our whole naval
force;
10 procure camp equipage, baggage wag-
gems, &c. &c.
Topurchase ordnance and military stores
10 purchase vast supply of sulphur &
saltpetre
To make further provision for the corps
Of engineers
| 10 establish quarter depart
ment and create commissary generals, &c.
navy tor the ensuing year
10 authorize loan of eleven millions to
detray these great expences
And have taken steps evincing their de-
termination to lay taxes to raise "A revenue
to pay the interest of The war loans, &c.
| Is all this nothing9
But it may be asked, and indeed the ques-
ton has been already put-why are not the
men enlisted 9--why have not recruiting
| parties been sent out
| La reply to these questions, we need only
state single fact; that it was only in the
| course OF the last week that the Senate con-
| firmed a part of the appointments of officers
In the new army without whose aid recruit
ing could not be commenced. We have uu-
derstGod that letters of appointment have
been Immediately expedited to those whose
appointments have been confirmed, and that
the recruiting viii be forthwith vigorously
commenced.
| In relation to other preparations, we arc
not in the habit of prying into Executive Sc
crets, but we should deem the Head of the
War Department rcmss in his duty, if he
have not caused ample preparation OF mill
tary stores, camp equipape, clothing &c.
TO be prepared, IN quantity sufficient &c
meet the probable demand. But we feel a
confidence that he has performed this i'm
portant, this all essential duty and that
these who eXuit in the idea OF their countrv's
imputed imbeCility ard naiedness, will find
their views of protiting by her distress most
Ihappiiy thwarted, to the Joy of every real
friend OF his country.-.VuS. Int.
Erfracf 81 letter from gentleman IN
Paris
MIR. Barlow, | fear, is as far off as ever
from accomplishing the puri oses OF mis- mis-
sion. Through the same channel mentioned
to you, that l was enabled to Learn some
thing OF what was transactng with our mi
mister, have learnt the following particu-
lars of the negotiation
| The Emperor has awaited himself of the
subsequent countenanCe given by the Anne
1ican people, to the original misconceptior
81 our government, in prociaiming that the
Berlin and Milan DEGREES were rescinded
| to Combat with, against Mir. barlsw's appli-
cation Tor an act or repeal of them The
Emperor, III personal interview with Mr.
| Barlow, contcnded that the American pco-
pie are satisfied with the conditional pro-
| mise that he made to repeal, and with the
/ friendly t'ispusitioii he manifested by res
toring ~ almost every case, property forfci
ted IN France under his DEGREES, although
the conditions upon whicihIls promise was
to be performed, were never complied with
lie said that this RELAXATION Of his decrees
shall be extended to American property
seized under them within the dominions OF
the allies of France also, whenever he shall
be able to trust to the fidelity of the sove-
regns oi those dominons to exclude British
manutacturcs and colonial produce but
that until he could thus conhde, he must
continue to neutraiizc the cupidty Of those
soyercigns, by opposing To it, the rapacity of
their subjects. That an act. of repeal at
this time, would be followed by the rescind-
ing of the British Orders i'll Council, to do
which they only waited for prctc-;t, and
delay the conquest Of the freedom of the
seas, for which the American people are So
wiling and eager to unite with him in the
war against England and that the Ame-
rican administration should not lose their
popularity for what they were doing
Opposed to the claim preferred by our
Minister for indemnity on account of French
spoiatons, the French Minister maintains
that all nhseatiOns in virtue of the de-
crccs Of American property arriving vo!un-
tarily into French ports, are considered by
his government upon the same footing with
any other f)rteitures for the violation Of any
municipal Law and therefore that the En-
peror will not consent TO treat about any o.
ther American property, than such as has
been burnt or seized at sea under his de-
Cfees.
An overture indeed has been made on the
part Of the French government, and which
has been transmitted 10 Washington to sti-
pulate for the payment of those spoliaticns
committed ON the hipi, seas nv ipeta lI,ps-,.y