The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-05-22

in the United States may be fairly assumed
to be determined to resist what they consi.
der British aggression. They have theiI
Tears of France, but they suffermore at pre-
sent from Britain, and the party, neither
French nor British, but genuinely American
is constituted by great maj ority of the "A
merican population, through thcir vast ex.
tent of territory. 'The language of the
Speaker OF the House of. Representatives
lClay) in his speech in committee, in an
swer to supplicatary addresses of members
on the other side, in favor of Britain, is de-
serving of attention, as Indicating the gene
raj sentiment pervading America on this
subject. Let Britain relnquish her own
impudent conduct, and then Law claim to
sympathy, in fighting the battles of the
world 20
The partial Importation bill, permitting
the introduction of goods really purchased
by Americans, prior to February, 1911, and
which, even if it had been carried, could
not be considered as a pacific measure, but
merely as an act of accommodation totheir
own citizens, has been postponed in such a
manner, as to render it probable, that the
measure will be finally abandoned.
The Revolution in Spanish America is
consolidating The United States sanction
il by the acknowledgment of their indepen-
dence. The two vast continents of Ameri-
ca bid tair to be fully separated from Eu-
ropean influence, and eXtrinsic rule an e.
vent which the politician anticipates, the
philosopher pronounces just, and the phiian-
thropist rails as tending to add to the hap
piness o. the human race.
Affairs in Spain and Portugal continue to
disappoint all parties. Events have not hi
therto justified either the expectations of
the doubters of success, or the sanguine prog
nosticators of it. In fact possession of the
Peninsula has been longer retained, than
the former had calculated on, and appear
ances do not yet render sanguine hopes of
ultimate success on the part of the British
and their allies justifable, on the principles
of probability, founded on rational calculate
on. Ciudad Rodrigo has been taken by
storm, and Lord Wellington gets an add-
ton of 2000i. a year, and is advanced in the
British peerage to the rank of Earl. He is
besides invested by the Spaniards with the
title of Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo. This adj
vantage over the French is vastly over-ba-
lanced by the capture of Valencia, in which
General Blake and large number OF pri-
soners are taken by Suchet, for which he
has obtained from his master the title of
Duke of Albufera, with = large estate an
neXed. The fall Of Alcant may be antici-
Pated. They must he sanguine indeed, and
possess not little share Of cuiiibiIty, who
on a calm review Of these events, still re-
tain strong confidence in the wisdom of
the Councils which dictated the system
which has been Pursued in The Peninsula.
1t is rumoured, that Bc:radotte, On the
part of Sweden, has made proposal % the
British government for truce, that he NAV
Offer his mediation for general peace, and
that he has made 4 simil II offer OF ned;ati-
on TO bonaparte. IN the present temper of
the times, during a triumph of The war-fac-
ton, there is no room for hope, that such an
overture Will meet with any success.
The restrictions on the Prince Regent
have expired. He has disappointed the
hopes of many, by resolving to continuc the
most of the present ministers in oihoe.-
Lords Grey and Grenvllle on being solicited
totorm coalition, have, to their honour re.
fused. With retention of men, VIC are to
expect continuance OF the old system OF
measures, and of course an opposition to the
Catholic claims Alas for our country
Princes appear resolved not to be instruc-
ted or to take warning from the passing e.
vents. The princes OF the houses of BOur-
bon continued their career of folly to the
last. The friends to peace and stability
wish most anxiously for radical reform, as
best conducive to these purposes They de-
precate all violence, and desire to see no o.
Their force eXerted. but the force of public
opinion. 10 it, if properly and calmly ex-
erted, all governments would ultimately
have to bow. 1t can scarcely be repeated
too frequeFtly, It's trnth necessarily to be
inculcated, that virtuous people can only
insure virtuous government, as they alone
deserve it.
February, 1872.