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

CITY or WASHING N, June Goth, 1919.
20 the people ofHe Congressional Bistrics, cons-
POSED yof the counties Of HGnover, Renriec,
Charles, City, .Neys-K ent, ard City of Richmond
1ELLowCIrIZENs, '- ~
Al an ara of public affairs, so peculiar as the
existing one, cannot be usenshle of the increased
weight of responsibility attached tc my present si,l
alton. Even times the most Tranquil, aud under
aircu IN Stances much less Interesting, the trust re-
posed in u Representative is solemn and important.
So great and mcllfarious the concerns of this
nation all times, that no period can arrive, at
which he would be lusthabie in considering himself
not bound tc for his execution of ss trust
How stronS--how impcrious, then, is the Obligation
10 account for respect to matters OF such vast
Snoment as those which have lately demanded lIis
attention \ CTISIS has b1en produaed,. which las
required the representatives OF the people of these
United States to coma TO some determination as to
. course Of procedure, in relation foreign afairs
different from any heretofore adopted Such de-
termination was Indispensable. No longer could il
be pro.racted consistently With the dignity of this
nation of its Sovernment-a speedy and explicit
decision upon the great quest u OF war sole nm
Iy required. 1t is impossible fer to Contemplate
the magnitude of tc question and feel Indifferent
bout il. Nurtured in sentiments which have always
cherished fond attachment to peace, cannot bat
consider the opposite state as very great evi-and
fn deciding upon this important fi stion have been
zglited by comparison OF such state with the eI-
istng situation of this country. No considerations
short oil thorough conviction that the change of this
situation is preferable to con inuaton of it, could
a
ferred therefore, as being this nation the least of
She two evils. Indeed question may be fairly made
whether it can, with strict proprety, be called
change wholly from state of peace a state or war
A species OF warfare has been already long waged
against American commerce and American scamen
Hence the change will be but little more than tl,c
addition of another party IN the wsr but party in
our own ca,se alone Bl tl,s measure the listed
States wilt he removed from state of quiet forbes
ance and pressure under Che operation Of that species
of war, and placed in the attitude of resistance and
retaliation. They will no longer continue to be oil
together suIierers-,nt ia tue contest may derive
from the euemy measure Of compensation cores
bonding with the attendant priyatiOuS; whereas, u-
der the existing system of assressnns, noug is &C,
uired for any portion Of te wrongs aud losses SUE
sained--nothing would be acquired so long as the
system should lave been carried without actual
resistance our part. Had the United States de-
uerinined perpetuay forbcar To make suel re-
sistance, and to acqiesee IN the present state IF
thingr so long that SYSTEM from every appearance
would be carried on. Such continuation of for
bearance would be complete surrender Of all their
commercial and maritime rights. will not SO cross
Sy offend against the dignity and the majesty OF the
people OF this great republic, to ask the question
Nhether such surrender ought to be made.
The necessity for entering into state Of actual re.
sstance and retaliation is evidently Indispensable
This necessity forms tie grounds of my decision and
has pointed out to me the patl, of my duty upon this
yaOmentous occasion. | could not hesitate IN
voting for to war; because could mt for
get tat my country IS free aud independent and
ought 10 continue 50. Upon this ground shall ac-
~ouut To you for the execution of the important
trast, by virtue Of which YOU have authorised me to
make this solemn decision. II is portion Of my
e'uty 10 you which shall perform with chccrfuncss
Although the execution OF the trust, IN the instance
1uay not bc universally, yet cannot permit myself
20 doubt bUt that it Wil bc generals, approved Of
snd mrss confess TIA i will not fail to be ustter
pf deep euncern to ms mind, it the course, which
ttrong convietion of duty my country has pointed
gut to rs tic proper and necessary course, should
be comtr'y % thc will OF any of my fellow -citizens
by whose iayor have been Cor many years placed
In this honorable suiation. Such repeated testimO-
pisls of tl,cr good opiniln of aud confidence IN ms
never shdll--nevcr can he erased from nv memory.
They are engraved ~ tic core Of grateful heart
sud will renain indeliby impressed upon it 10 tlr
Rx ronaegt OF my lie