The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-06-23
MEMORIAL FOR PEACE.

ITO the Honorable the Senate and the House of Re
J5resentatives Qt the United States, in Congress
0Ssea'l6led the Representatives. Of the Co1rl3,lon
FreaZh II sHoSsackUsetts 5sS9eGVe respectfully
state
, THAT presuming the respectful expressions of
the public sentiment, from any portion of the Uni
OH, mi ,. be acceptable TO Congress in the present
critical of public affairs, they trust that Gem
munication TO your honor able body of the opinions
and feelings of the people of this Commonwealth up
on the moInentous subject of British war, viii not
be construed into disposition 90 interfere with the
functions of the National Government.
1t is with deep regret, and with such emotions
the love OF country should insire, that perceive
the entire failure of the negotiations instituted by
the National Government, with view to obtain,
from the bellgerent nations respest for neutral
rights, and a revocation of edicts which operate so
injurously upon our lawful commerce.
In the present unprecedented posture of Europe,
we are FIRMLY convinced, that immense ma
jority of our constituents cannot be reconcled to
the belief that an offensive war with Great Bri-
tain is demanded by the interest honor of our
country.
We presume not to enter upon comparison of
the injuries sustained by our commerce from the
respective nations at war---nOr to arragn the
duct which Government has ST to adopt, in Or
der to obtain redress. /, would be foreign to
present purpose to enlarge upon the dupiicity and
prevaTieation exhibited by France in all her nego-
satiOns-whieh aggrdyate her numerous outrages-
or to discuss the motives aedged by Great Britain
in defence of system of retaliation which bears
with pressure upon neutral iights-It is
sufficient that every consideration from good
policy, arid from the duty OF nation to ITSELF for
bids us to plunge into which desoates the Eu-
ropean world-ani from which il seems to have
been the design Of Almighty Providence to exempt
ps, If true to ourselves by placing us remote from
the theatre Of their contentious.
An offensive against any nation, can be usti-
ned only by the reasonable notifies OF obtaining rep
aratIon for past nures-Or security against future
dangers and sggressons. When, therefore, such is
the local situation and relations of Il ccuntry that
q eli Cf hpge is
cluded by overriding necessity, its honor is not
stained by yciding TO circumstances which il cannot
controi--nor is the reluctance Gifts citizens to
expose themselves ~ such to the certain dam
gers and caamities of war, rcproach upon their
want Of sensibiiity to injry, their courage pati-
otism.
war with Great Britain would furnish tempta-
lions TO her Govern ment to scquesteT the millions
belonging to our citizens deposited ia that country
K opportunity to her navy and cruisers to sweep
the ocean OF the remains of our once Furnishing
commerce.
The conquest of Canada, the only point in which
she is assaiable would afford no Naturalization IL
achieved, Tor the losses TO which we should be ex-
posed upon our unprotected seaboard, aud upon
the ocean. Destitute are OF Navy, aud the
means of iDI1uediate maritime dcfcn &C, we cannot
perceive in what sOde with this nation, so
powerful on the ocean, promise the attainment
OF It's avowed objcct-tho revocation of the Orders
III Council. The Emperor of France having lately
repubstied the DEGREES Of Berlin and Milan with
renewed assurances OF determination 20 enforce
them, and g. Britain having announced her delhi.
crate purpose OF making her Orders in Council
commemorate with those Decrees--we are i'm.
pressed with belief, that var once begun must
be continued during the present European conflict
and perhaps abandoned alter years of disasters Incl
dent to AL wars, without accomplishing the object for
which it was undertaken.
We forbear to present 10 tic consideration ofyour
honorable body, detail o. those multiplied evils
which we anticipate IN s',oh conflict lest their
magnitude and variety might be considered rs cacu-
lated to depreso the Just CCnfdencc Of the people
in the national spirit and resources and TO encou-
rage the perseverance, Of foreign nations. in pre-
tensions hostile 10 orr rights. We cannot, however
but hope, bet Government, having tried for years
q systeos OF restrictions, whca has proved inefec.
tnai IN rosps'; to fOreiga natl ms and ruinous To
ourselves, viii OnCe n'oss restore usto our CONNER
sid pursuits ;-snd without abandoning just claims