The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-01-23

ana manufactures, tHQ.I.fH0F0t u every
other nation. Those can furnish our citi-
zens with the necessaries, with the conve-
niencies, and with many of the luxuries of
life. Our territory also, extending far *
wide, and ab,ulding with variety OF fer
tile soils, and of pure climates, viii excite
energies, that will soon supply even imagi-
nary wants.
But do not cur manufactures require a
serious attention! The frequent dtsIructi-
Gil of them by fire, manisestlY applied bv
iGcendiarics, and the crimes often practised
by governments, as well as by individuals,
tor'wealth and Influence, and Ion DESTROYING
competiton, render necessary on the part
OF this State, the protection OF those infant,
but inestimable establishments. The means
best adapted TO this purpose, will require
yoif wise and deliberate consideration.
The spirit Of the Militia is lot abatet, &
cannot be encouraged beyond its merit or
Importance. In some parts of the Common
wealth, there is a deficiency Of muskets,
"hicb, Tor the want of means, cannot be
procured by many individuals. An imme-
diate remedy for this evil, seems to be re-
luisite, in the present posture of our public
affairs.-1he extent of the districts, and the
number OF men in several of the divisions of
militia, having required an increase ofthcsc,
have proposed the measure to the Coun-
Gil; and you shall be duly informed of the
result. The periodical report of the Adiu-
tant General, presents Of this subject "A plea
sing aspecL-The aggregate Of the lnfan-
try, is 61,902; Cavalry 1884; Artillery
1855; but the cause Of the decrease of the
militia may require investigation, and may
fiow from the militia law; which i'll several
particulars, requires amendment.
During your recess, / have received Sc
veral anonymous threats of assassination.
for having supported the National Govern
ment; and had they been confined to nv
self, should have continued silent on the
subject. But this from appearance, is part
of a system to paraliZe exertions, in the
cause OF Our country, and in different shapes
has been extended to several gentlemen of
great responsibility in and out of Office
Our late venerable President ADAMS, that
great and good man, who in our conflict for
Liberty, was the pride of Massachusetts, &
a oracle Of Congress; who for revolution
AZ, services has not been surpassed by any
others; and who has been publishing, in a
series ofletters, the history # his political
career, work promising essential and per-
manent service to his country merely for
this, has been also threatened with as.
sassination in his bed" And do the foes of
this country, expect, by any means, to
check its friends in support of it's causei p
SANDER orfalsehood ? That would manifest
weakness in the extreme. They fear to do
zurossg, ana nought but that. Are thcy to
be intimidated by apprehensions for their
property, ease or enjoyments! These would
betray sordid disposition, thar birthright of
siaUes Are they be appalled, by con-
semptiblc threats of deaths The real pros
pect of it in their country's ause, can never
daunt the patriotic souls Of Freemen. Then
disdain threats, and bid defiance to every
attempt for arresting their dut to the pub
lie, and above all, their support of the Ma.
tional Government, the main pillar of cur
Union, Liberty and independence
EG The other parts Of the. Speech are locall
ELBRlDGE GERRY.
Sheech Of Mr.. LOWNDES from South
Carolina.
Mr.. Sheaker, the late period of the debate
will necessarily shorten the observations /
had intended to make. / concur, indeed.
entirely in the opinion expressed by the gen
tleman from North Carolina-that it is now
to prove that we have cause of
war against England. The gentleman from
Virginia, who yesterday opposed the bill,
this point with as much prudence
as candor. The value of the Concession,
huwever, was impaired by the remark that
we nave cQual cause Oh war against rance.
That we had equal cause of war against
France; that we have equal claims for in
against both powers, ] feel
no disposition to deny. Both have. indeed,
been at war with US but the easy distinc-
ton between their cases is this--that the one
power has terminated its differences with us
by treaty which we ourselves proposed,
while the other continues without mitigation
its war upon our commerce.
In acknowledging, sir, that we have cause
Of war, the gentleman from Virginia denies
its object to be either important or attain
able.
That any Importance should be attached
to the object on the score of honor, is des-
cribed as romantic notion. But i'm the po-
Icy which it dictates, an enlarged view of
national interest usually concurs with nice
sense of national honor. 1t is impossible to
compute the money-value of rights, like
those in dispute between England & Anne
RIGA. No rule Of arithmetic will give you an
answer as to the expence at which they
may be worth defending. Let them be re-
and the loss will be felt, not for one
year but perhaps for the whole term Of our
existence as one nation--Let them be re-
and every remaining right becomes
more precarious by the encouragement
which is offered for its infraction. Oar OBJ
ject then in resistance to England, is the pre-
scrvation of that character, without which
must be burtben. Its duties
would be eXactcd and it's rights forgotten
The importance OF this character, even to
cur pecuaiary interests, results from its eff
feet in controlling the rapacity. OF foreign