The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-09-22
RIcA.MoND. sEP7,E.mBRa 90, 1919.


RICHMOND. SEPTE.aBER 90, 1919.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
-: II Il Il II L. Y
TO THE ADDRESS OF THE COMMIT.
TEE OF THE CITY OF NETWORK.
IN SUPPORT OFINk NO. JfLN:41YO.N or
ID L WITT LINTON.
TO THE PRESIDEN'CY OFIHE U.NTTEE
Si.31'ES-.No. ".
A LTHOUGH the Adtlressers in repri-
1A manding the negligence of the Officers
OF Government, speak both of the Secreta-
RES OF War and of the Navy, it is evident
that their principal attack is levcl!ed at the
former. For once it is believed their cen
sure is not altogether destitute of Justice :
1t seems sanctioned in some degree by the
general opinion OF the country. Personally
that gentleman is unknown to the writer of
these remarks But his character ant, pur-
suits, as far as they have been understood
from the best sources OF information. denote
him unfit for his post. Possessed of an ca
sy and elegant Address, he may possibly be
calculated to shine in 4 Ballroom, or max g
{. figure at levee. But the cares of Of
ice. the management of important concerns
non yt'7ons tstss conUeninnt. Bred n
Physician, has faculty habits can afford him
nor his opportunity enabled him to ACQUIRE
that practical knowledge which the station
and the times emphatically demand
1t we advert to the period of DR.. Eustis's
appointment, none will question that his :
oIiitIcs were commensurate with the occasi
on. A state of things widely different, and
not to have been foreseen, has supervened !:
and the crisis imperiously requires that the
department over which he presides, should
be hlled by man of practical information.
No branch of executive duty, can be at
tended with more difficulty than the selec-
tipn OF men OF adequate abilities, to fill the
various departments From the 'discernme n,
OF Mr.. Clinton (the Committee inferl (a) an
excellent selection of the best talents in the
nation." With what number of divine at
tributes Mr.. Clinton may be gifted, it were
lpresumptuous in an humble individual to
enquire. Mere mortals, when called upon
to discharge this trust, must be dependent
in great measure upon the judgments of
others. That deception and disappoint-
ments should frequently ensue, is scarce
| iy matter of surprise from. the repre-
sentation of the partial and the mite
rested. it is to be eXpccted-and men OF
honor and understanding in pourtrayins the
character OF friend or a favorite are liza
bic to deceive themselves and to mislead
others. OF the truth of this remark. the
pamphlet before us furnishes conclusive. e.
violence.
The writer of this article feels himself
under no obligation to vindicate the appoint
ments OF the Secretaries of the Navy and of
War. But the Addressers can complain
with no sort of .prop.icty, since t,lev were
! made in pursuance of the system warmly
recommended by them, of concilia ting Local
Jealousies, system which makes geogra
phical boundary the test of merit & which
renders it necessary to balance appoint.
ments in the North and the South, in the
East and the West, as plumbs are distri-
buted among children, with exact imparti-
atty.
! If the doctrine of executive responsibility
has in this instance been severely enforced,
| 1T has been carried on subsequent occasi-
on, to an extent not warranted BY reason
nor by the constitution.
g How shall we characterize, (the Adj
dressers enquire,) the uninterrupted per-
| mission to carry en- trade with Spain and
Portugale Is it a measure Of ekecG>neerfne
hoicy, or farther proof of the absolute in
| efficiency Of our counciss" ~ They p, oceed
| to stigmatizc this measure as calculated &c
give to the enemy the most effectnal aid ana
comfort, and as one which could only have
been expected, from the Parliament of {,
- L
mittee doubtless consists Of men of the first
responsibility and talents. They could not
then be ignorant that the measure complain
ed OF is not an executive act nor in repre-
senting 1t as such, will they be accused OF
cIecfioneeTing policy" The power to re
gulate Commerce is vested by the constitu-
ton in the Congress of the United States
| them only it belongs to put an end to this
trade. Whenever they conceive it to be
pregnant with the ills described, they will
probably do So. Any interference upon this
subject on the part of the President before
hey shall have acted would be Violations
Of that constitution which we all profes SIS &c
admire, and indeed tn deserve the indiena
tionof his country. 1 he ADVANTAGE epioyed
by Spain K Portugal results from their cha
racter ct neutrality; the same advantage is
enjoyed by Russia, Denmark and Sweden
and through them oar enemy derives ala
and comfort with equal facility. i'he con
sequences resulting to the Tinted Sta
from this trade, may be pernicious-Bu
Congress would be unwilling without due
deliberation to shut their ports against those
| friendly powers, aad so far to follow the
example Of the enemy, as TO iniiict upm
neutrals where itcan he avoided, the suffer.
| ings incident to u state OF war.
Can the committee pretend that the Pre-
sident dare shut our ports, without the
sanction of tie Legislature, against thos,
! nationsl Do they mean to insinuate thai
measure might be expected at the hand.
of their favoritc &c seated in The Presidents
4 ....l II