The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-03-13

mediate war. yet no doubts are enter
sa"'ed' mat Mr. Madison will fall upon some
CIV eSpedisnts To bring about hostilities.
~ nat these may be, can only be deduced
rom what appears TO be prac ticable. A
ion-fnt7conrse with England and France
will probably superccde the embaryo
men oy opening with the rest of Europe a
pan tiai legitimate commences, and affordine
se.ohe temptations to that which is illegal
WIN expose the vessels to capture, deten-
usn. and embarrassment will iust,fv the
present poicy and produce such degree
H.. 80 a.u resentment as will ena-
Ole the government Of this country To throw
.he whole blame and responsibility of war
iroui IT'S own shoulders upon those of tho
British ministry. If in this case, the party Mt
!tached 70 France should calculate with
correctness and the commerce of New En-
gland would greatly sufirr,-the merchants.
beng iJured and discouraged, would NOT
only acquiesce in the restrictive svstems-
put even submit to war. On the other
mana, should the small traffic permitted bY
non-intercourse law be lucrative and nm
interrupted, the people would be clamo-
rous Tor more, and soon compeli the go.
vernment to restore the friendly relations
between the two countries.
While offer my opinion upon this snb-
!ecs, cannot express but strong hope that
II any terms should be proposed BY either ro-
jvernment,to which the other might think bro
per to accede. that principal motive to the
adjustment OF differences should be understo cd
20 ARISE from the amicablc disposition of the
eastern states, particularly of the state of
Massachusetts. This, as it would increase
the popularity of the friends of G.. Britain.
coulo not nail to promote her interests. If
IL eouid not be done formally and officially.
nor IN correspondence between ministers.
SUN perhaps the administration in the Par
Lament Oh U. Britain might take that ground
anu .he suggestion would find its way into
the papers both In England & America.
1t cannot be too frequently repeated. that
tnls country can only be governed and di-
lreCted by the influence of opinion as there
IS nothing permanent in its political institu-
eioAs, nor are the popu,ace under any Cir
lGuhstences to be relied on, when measures
become nconvenient and burdensome
"iii SOON write again, and am, &c. ABB.
No. z.
=. ~ Boston, March r, 1909.
oIR--l have now ascertained, with as
much accuracy as possible, the course in
tended TO be pursued by the party in Mas
sachu etts that is opposed to the measures
and poiucs of the administration of the gen
eral government -v
nave already given & decided opinion that
declaration of war is not to be expected
but, contrary to all reasonable Rehabilitation,
shouid the Congress possess spirit and indie.
pehuehCe enough to place their popularity in
JEOPARDY Dy SO strong a measure the Leris-
iature OF Massachusetts will give the tone
TO the neighboiins states win declare itself
permanent until a new election of members :,
invite congress, to be composed of dele
gates from the several states, and erect a
separate government for tkcir common de-
fence and common interest s4s
MS Congress would probably begin bv ab-.
rogating the offensive laws, and adopting a.
Pian ior the maintenance of the power and
aueiLT lty thus assumed. They would by
such an act be III Condition to make or re-
cSiVT proposals from q. Britain and /
Shouid. seize the FIRST moment to epen a,
correspondence with your excellency.---
scarce any other aid would be necessary
ana perhaps none required than few YES
sells OF war from the Halifax station, to pro-
eeC! maritime towns from the little navy
WHICH is at the disposal of the national CO.
Verhmcnt hat permanent connection be-
tween u. Britain and this section of the r-.
PuoHc would grow cut of a civil commotiol
suCf as might be expected, no person is prc
pared TO describe but it seems that a strict
alhance must result of necessity.-. At pre-,
sent the opposition party confine their calca-s
iatoha merely toresistaneef; and can as
sure you that at this moment they do NOT
freely entertain the project of withdrawing
.he eastern states from the Union, finding it.
very unpopular topic although course.
OF events, such as have already mentioned
would inevitably produce an incurable all
enation OF the New-England from the South
ern states. The truth is, the common PEG.
PIE nave SO long regarded the Constitution
OF the U. St ates with complaCency, that
they are now only disposed in this quarter to
treat 1t IKE a truant mistress, whom they
would Tor time put away on seJerate
maintenance, but without farther and great
er prcvocation, would not absolutely repudi-
ate. I, =
1t will soon be known in what situation
Puohc affairs are to remain until the meet
ing OF the new Congress in May at which
rme also this Legislature will again assem-
Die. The two months that intervene will
be a period Of much anxiety.
In all i have written, have been care
tul not to make any Impression analogous to
the enthusiastic Confidence entertained by
the opposition, nor.to the hopes and expec-
tations that animate the friends of an ALI
ance between the northern states and G..
britain have distracted myself from all
the sympathies these are calculated to in
Spire: because, notw Outstanding that fee,
the atmast Confidence in the integrity of in
tention OF the leading characters in this po-
litcal drama,I Cannot forget that they de-
rive their power from giddy inconstans
| multitude who, unless in the instance un-
der considcTati IN they form an exception to