The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-03


an Important epoch III our transacIions WIKI
81 britain. with what Gag, rncSs. u!on th,
irst ar,earancc of au Gnic ,lOle liiSDoSitio,
GA the part ct a. a power. the AuSsiiGan go
NSih'ient seI1Sa tic opportunity 20 renew b.-
an Infringement With her Representative:
mere, our friendly rciations :-Nita waa
i"foearaiice /. cast the mamtls ct oblivion ,,z
YER the wrongs we hat. su@ered----:,nt! &,
thoagn m:ii,o.:> &c oar nropcvv l:.wless
piandered by Great Britain, were unreSis.-
ed; although thousands OF our ss;,u,o.. ,yrr,.
III captivity, and her hands were rocking
with the unattoned-for blood at ou- citizens.
yet We generously forgave all, and extend
Ct to her the hand of friendship.
Had Great Britain cherished u disposition
orpeacc, there was nothing 10 which she
Could object in this arrangement. Net She
thonyht proper :" disavow il, &c recall The
agent wao made ii, upon tie pretended
grcuni! OF having exceeded instructions,
ana To appoint successor who's. character
was every way suited to the unfriendly de-
signs sire har5oured against US; romon-
s,rancc and an Introduction of commercial
intercourse were the only measures TO which
America rec0rred, upon an occasion which
would have justified :: resort to extremi-
ties. 49,
France At length announced her detcrmi-
nation 70 rcsC:nd her iniquitous DEGREES.
The american governments again pressed
Great Britain, in compliance with her uni
torn promises, to fn.low the example set by
her rival, and hopes were entertained tlias
she would yield to her interest, what had
been refused TO justice Whilst the Amer
icaa government was iudulging this eXpec-
tahon, and cherishhg the prospect that
peace might yet be preserved /; the Prince
Regent ny his proclamation OF the 21st A.
pril, announced The fixed purpose of his 60
vernment, to. persevere in the offensive
Course 1t had so long pursued, unless France
should resclnd entirely (Dot only as it regar-
ded America, but all nationS,) her illegal
decrees--a subject in which 7ve had 40 es-
sential concern. About this time, satisfac-
tory evidence was obtained ola project,
planned by Great Britain, of endeavoring
to affect, by secret agent, the dismember-
mcnt OF these States, through ali the hor-
rnrs OF civil war scheme, to the intrin-
SIC darkness of which were added deeper
shades OF guilt, from the circumstances of
It's peiDg carried on at theNery moment,
when through her accredited agent here,
She was indulging il. the most amicable pro-
tessons. The measureiof her optrages be-
ing thus filled, and that of our patience ex-
hansted, the unpleasant alternatives, OF an
appeal to arms, OF base surrender of our
rights, were presented to the constituted
authorities OF the United States. With a
courage becoming the representatives of a
tree people, they weighed the preservation
OF our rights, Our honor, and our character,
against the privations and hazards of war
and accepted !: IS an OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ly, on the 18Th Of lane, 1912, war was for
mally declared against Great Britain and
her dependencies. The determination pro-
duced crisis in our affairs of the utmost
Importance. For, to the weigh,y conside-
ratlons insepara6iy incident to state Of war
with SO powerful a nation, there WAS to be
added one of peculiar and high interest,
which by its irresistible tendency, was CAL
cuiatcd TO excite tAe solicitude of every To-
yer OF his country. The constitution "a the
United States with whose successful pro-
gress Is indissoiubiy connected not only the
happiness of America, but Of afflicted man,
il every region OF the earth) was for
she first time, to be put upon trial Is to it's
capacity tor war, and should it survive tue
merry ordeal, unhart, ii might under provi-
dence, challenge Immortality. When, then.
the Representatives OF the people of United
America III Congress assembled (Who arc
destined, IN common, with US all. to partici-
pate in whatever doom may await us,) had,
driven by an unjust and imperious nation,
resolved to commit our cause to the Cod Of
battles-wben, too, the iiiistrious chief, who
now presides IN our councils, and whose life
mas been devoted 10 the service of his coun-
try mad given his sanction to this, solemn
appeal ; and when The fate Of unborn mil
mons was connected with its successful is
sue, IT was reasonably 10 have been hoped,
(whateyer diversity of opinion mighthave eX-
isted, or whatever might have been the vi
o!encc OF contending partes) that every
patriot would have saCriiiCed upon the altar
OF his Country, all miner considerations, and
that the American people, animated by one
sentiment, would, by an union OF councils
and efforts, liate prosecuted the war with
vigor, to cXtort from their common enemy
an honorable peace.
Il is source OF painful regret, that this
hope of union, should, even in a partial de-
gree, have been disappointed OF that there
should have been any class of citizens
far influenced by delusion, prejudice or fac
ton, as to ascribc the war to any other mo-
tives, than anxiety to avenEe the ue'rlded
honor, and preserve unimpaired, the essen
tial rights OF United America. This regret
however. is lessened by the reflection, that
the people of the United States, in an appea =.
recently made to them through their con-
Sressional elections. have BY large major
ity, manifested a determination to support
their government in the course adOnted, aud
to encounter without u Uurmur the incon-
venences Of war, wagcd for the protection
of whatever is dear to frecmen. And it is
a source of pride and congratulaticn that
this holy zeal in our country's cause, is
manifested 10 where more strongly than a.
mong the good people of this common
wealth. Is it too sanguine to hope THAI,
even yet, this cordial support of our g1H