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

and affirmed by the American Plenipoten-
tiary. On the contrarys by repre- senting the
blockade to be comprehended in the orders
in council, the United States werc compel
led so to regard 1t in their subsequent pro-
! Ceedings.
change in the policy of the British cabinet
was justly considered as established. The
Minister Plenipotentiary of His Britannia
Majesty here proposed an adjustment of the
differences more Immediately endangering
the harmony Of the TWO countries. The pro-
position was accepted with promptitude
and cordialty corresponding with the inva-
riable professions of this government. A
foundation appeared to be laid for a sincere
1 and lasting reconciliation. The prospect,
however, quickly vanished. The whole pro-
ceeding was disavowed by the British 60
vernment without any explanation which
could at that time repress the belief, that
the disatowal proceeded from a spirit of
hostility to the commercial rights and pros
perity Of the United States. And it has
since come into proof that at the very mo-
ment when the public Minister was holding
the language of friendship, and inspiring
confidence in the sincerity of the negotiation
with which he was charged, secret agent
OF his government was employed in ihtrigues,
having for their object subversion of our
government, and dsmemberment Of our
happy Union.
In reviewing the conduct of Great Britain
towards the United States, our attention is
necessarily drawn to the warfare just renew
ed by the savages on me of our extensive
frontiers; warfare which Is known to
spare neither age nor sex, and to be distin-
guished by features peculiarly shocking &c
humanity. 1t is difficult to account for
the activity and combinations which have
Tor some time been developing themselves
among the tribes in constant intercourse with
British traders and garrisons, without con-
meeting their hostility with that influence !;
and without recoliecting the authentic ated
examples of such interpretations heretofore
furnished by the officers and agents of that
government.
Such is the spectacle of injuries and indig-
mites which have been heaped ON cur coun
try and such the crisis which it's unexam-
pied for6earance and coneiliatory efforts
have not been able to avert. Il might at
least have been expected, that an enIight
ened nation, if less urged by neral obhgati
ons. OF invited by friendly dispositions on the
part of the u. States, would have found in
its true interest alone sufficient motive to
respect their rights and their tranquility on
, the high seas that an enlarged policy
would have favored that free and general
. circulation OF commerce, in which the Bril-
tIsh nation is at all times Interested, and
r which In time of war is the best alienation
of IT'S calamites to herself, as we'll as to the o.
4 Their beligerents; and more especially that
, the British Cabinet would not, for the sake
OF a precarious and surreptitious intercourse
with hostile markets, have persevered in ii
4 course OF measures which necessarily put at
, hazard the invaluable market of great and
i growing country disposed to cultivate the nu-
= tual advantages OF an active commerce..
n Other councils have prevailed. Our mo-
), Iteration and cancellation have had no other
effect than to encourage perseverance,, and
to enlarge pretensions. We behold ouI
1 seataring citizens still the daily victims Of
s lawless violence committed on the grea,
e common and highway of nations, even with
: IN sight OF the country which owes them
h protection. We behold our vessels. freight.
II ed with the products of our soil and industry
n CT returning with the honest proceeds o
n them, wrested from their lawful destinations
a contiscatcd by prize courts, no longer the
a organs OF public law, but the instrum ents o.
l. arbitrary edicts; and their unfortunate
h crews dispersed and lost, or forced OF III.
v weighed in British ports into British fleets
whilst arguments are employed, in support
IT of these aggressions, which have nc founda-
i ton but i'll principle equally supporting ;
j. claim toregulate our external commerce il
- all cases whatsoever.
= We behold, in fine on the side of Grea
h Britain, state of war against the United
IF States and OH the side of the United State,
% state of peace towards G.. b.
: Whether the United States shall continu,
IS passive under these progressive usurpations
II and these accommodating wrongs or, oppos
e ing force to force in defence of their natu
raj rights, shalt commit just cause into the
8 ia ids of the Almighty Disp"ser of events
avo;H'ng all connections which might entan
Pile !, IN he contests or views of other pow
ers and D,e serving a constant readiness t.
concpr in an honorable re-establishment o
peace and friendship, is a solemn question
which tbe const;t,, ton wisely confides to tht
legislative DEPARTING Mt of the government
In recommendingi it to tier early deiibera
tons. am happy in the assurance that th'
a decision will be worthy the el'pgntSeheo ahs
S patriotic councils of a yirtuous, q l'ee' aho
r powerful nation.
5 Having presented this view of the fela'i-
ons of the United States with u. bflrait
and of the solemn alternative growing ou'
OF them, proceed 10 remark that the COIL
{ munications last made to Congress on the
. subject of our relations Nth France will
have shown that, since the revocation of
| her DEGREES they violated the neutral
S rights otihe United States, her government
has authorised illegal captures by its pri
, vateers and public ships, and that other
| outraSes have been practiSed on our yes
/ sells and our citizens. 1t will have been
seen also, that no idemnity had been provi-
ded, or satisfactorily pledged, for the extern