The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-01-23
Of evan 6ne 81 ii.a shemKefs weakrns n, and

iof even orc II it's mcmhefs Weakrns X, and
IS injurious to it's own preservation. 1t owe
this also to the members in particular, IL.
consequence of the very act OF association !;
ior those who compose nation, are uni
Ted for their defence and common advan-
Itage."
That, Whoever alienates the subjects
OF another, violates one OF the NEST sacred
rights of a state. 1t is the CRIME distin-
suished by the name of PiuSiQt, or man
stealing andis accordingly punished with
he utmost severity"
That foreign recruiters are hanged inn
mediately as II is not 10 be presumed, that
heir sovereign ordered them to commit the
crime, and if they did receive such an or
aer, they ought hot to obey it. ii it APP
'eared that they acted by order, such
proceeding in Il foreign power is Justly con-
sidered as a sufficient cause for declaring
wal against him."
Thus it appears by the public law, that
our national Government have for many
years past had n right to repel that mon
arch, who has invariably violated it's per-
feet rights-That foreign recruiters, who
use no force, to inlist volunteers, arc sub
jects to be Immediately hanged-That
the press gangs of q. Britain, having for
chilly taken from vessels of the u. States,
their native citizens, have committed crimes
OF deeper die, and have richly merited "a
similar punishment-And that manSteai-
ing, sanctioned as it has been b, his Bri-
tannic Majesty,i in SO fragrant a degree, is,
and in' long time has been Just cause
Tor declaring war against him.
Are not other views of tho subject reaui-
site BY the arbitrary interruption of our
commerce, on the part of G.. Britain, what
heavy losses have been sustained by cur
merchants, farmers, and MANI acturerS p
WHAT large proportion of their capitals,
and OF the surplus Of their industry, has been.
sacrificed? What injuries have resulted
TO the whole community i-In regard to
our Seamen, are there any of our fellow CT
tizens, to whom In peace, OF in war, we are
more indebted, than to them. To their
brave and adventurous spirit during the re-
volutlonary war, were we not prinCipali,
Indebted, for supplies of cloathing, ammuni-
ion and other necessaries for our army ::
captured in great measure from the enc
my For ammunition, when our military
operations were paralized by the want of it?
NO men could be more patriotic, and no
class u men sacrificed for their country
such proportion of their lives, as did the
officers and seamen, who have navigated
under the American flag ought not any
foreign nation, VIII have dared to have sci
led such citiZens. in violation of our most
sacred rights, to have been served with
positive demand of them, and in case of re-
fusal, with just and immediate reprisal of
as many Of her subjects What has been
the consequence OF forbearance on the part
OF the United States of submission to such
outrages! Has G.. Britain diminished, has
she not increased them Has she not sto-
en thousands OF our meritorious seamen
them from their wives, children
and friends compelled them to combat
friendly nations to thus endanger our peace
with them, and to aid in destroying our
own citizens! Has she not doomed them
to exile, slavery and death /? Has c.. Bri-
tam, since the independence of the u. States,
treated them with the respect due to ali
independent nation? Will not their degra-
led state invite her to acts not more crimi-
nal /; to seize our landsmen, when requisite
tor her mines, or for defending her conquests
IN distant chimes Will not the love of Ii
oerty, and every principle of patriotism, and
OF national attachment be annihilated by
our continuing i'll such a torpid state Will
it not entail on US the title and treatment of
slaves?
1t Great Britain lad been wise and Just, a
war with her would be contrary to the mu-
ual interest OF both nations. And under eX-
sting circumstances, will it not be won
iertul event, to be solved only by her poll
t not accelerate her own destruction -
This, which it is in her power to prevent, is
lot the object of the United States; they
would deeply regret it. But their existence,
rs an indefendent nation, depends OH their
maintaining their rights on repelling fur
her invasion of them; and on obtaining JUS
ice for past injuries. In support of the
lIgnifed and energetic conduct of our natl
'nal government, will not the citizens of
his state be ardent, to pledge their hroher-
y, their lives, and their sacred honor -
The present state of our country, the spirit
If the nation, the union Of her citizens, her
ability Tin her zenith) to enforce her rights,
he hazard on the part of Great Britain of
'efusing justice; all conspire to confirm the
policy, of decision and vigour, in regard to
the United, and the individual States. IfI
1T this momentous crisis the nation should
lease to reSfect herself and shrink
rom the Indispensable duty of seif-freser-
ration, shall we not be urged soon by the
of vassalage, to supplicate his Bri-
royal favour as peBitcnt subjects to grant
rs his Kind protection; to cheer us with
MS paternal smiles, and above all, to re-
commend us to the patronage of his faithful
in these his dutiful provinces?
Are we not then called to decide, whe-
Their we will commit the liberty and indie
pendencc OF ourselves and posterity, to the
fidelity and protection Of q nGfi9nai govern
menf, at the head of which is MADISON,
by an Executive Department, a
Senate, and House of Representatives, a
with revolutionary and other me-