The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-05-04


in,fressn,enf NJ -Ameriean seanen fom our
ships as one great cause of the war. The
governor, indirectly, but distinctly impea
ches the candor of this statement. When
he says p" we can hardly suppose that the
war will be continued, to protect British
seamen, against the claims of their gov
ernment," the inference, though not palpa-
bic, is certain, TIL in his opinion, such was
the object for which the war was commence
ed.-In the estimation of the Coy. of Mas
Sachusetts then, one object Of the war was,
to protect British seamen from the British
government, and this opinion he delivers to
the people of his state, in defiance of the re-
peated propositions which our government
has made. 90 adopt every measure in its
power to keep them from our ships II
such be the opinion of his Excellcnc,,
:" dispassionate and we'll informed" AS he
rs, what would he not say against the q -
vernmcnt, it it were possible that feelings
SO well regulated. could be excited. or an in
te'lect so acute, could be deceivcd,
g Or to conquer the adjoining territories,
Z" the acquisition of which must he expen-
4" sive and OF very doubtful advantage"
These words form part of the sentence
which has just been eXa mined. 1t is obnex-
ious to a similar criticism. The conquest
Of Canada was not the object of the war
The object was to protect our trade and our
seamen. The CO. est ct Canada may ia
ci!itate the attainment OF ,hat obj ect, & may
therefore now as heretofore be SO far an OBJ
Ject IN ITSELF. But the patriots of re who
invaded Canada, were never told that the
object OF the war was conquest AID not
independence. The ministers of the Cos
pei did not then protane the pulpit, BY a
shameless prostitution of their sacred char
acter and Office, by audacious and ranco-
trxu, "a
their country, nor by denouncing, before an
insulted. indignant, 81 vetiring congregation,
every man as a murderer. whose patrio
tism led him to march with Montgomery,
20 the plains of Quebec.
Sut the governor, not satisfied with the
animation, that the war was commenced
with view to Conquest, states the acQuisi-
ton OF that country, to be expensive and
OF very doubtful advantage.
AS to expence, there can be no question
now. i he cost will undoubtedly be great, &
the regret, which we feel on that account,
Will only be embittered by the recollection,
that expence & b!ood-shcd might both
have been easily avoided. If the Governors
of the New England states, had certainly
oseyed the call Of their country, and reouir-
ed their Citizens to march under its banner,
as they would have d6ne, if required, tie
conquest OF Upper Canada at least might
have been effected, in few months, and
without risking single battle.
but can his EXccllency be serious when
he processes to doubt whether the acouisi-
ton would be advantageous Can he doubt
whether 1t would be benefit to this coun.
try, TO effect the removal OF a powerful enc
my, from line of almost defenceless from
tierr to exclude British ships of war, from
all the ports & harbours of the continent-to
eXtIDpniCh
between the Bulwark of our religion" and
the savages of the North West, which
brings the tomahawk and the scalping
KNIFE, upon our borderers, their wives and
their chitdren-to secure the United States
exclusively and for ever the trade with the
Aboriginal hunters of the forest, and to rem
der ourselves Inaccessible except through
an element, on which hitherto all our battles
have been victories, and every victory a
tr'umPh over the maritime oppressors of the
world /? No, Sir On these points the CO.
vernon can entertain no doubts. The pro.
lesson OF scepticism may delude for mo-
ment, but eredulity itself cannot long be de-
ceved.
And still less to aid the triumphs and
support the usurpatons of the unrelenting
oppressor of mankind"
The same considerations again present
themselves. The people of Massachusetts
are here invited to believe, that with
view, IN part, to- aid the triumphs and sup
port the uSurpations of Bonaparte, mot now
at least, L thank God, the oppressor of
mankind) the war was originally. cor,
menced. On this expression of opinion.
halt veiled" from the public eve. no com
ment will be made. The task wonld in
deed be dificult. There are views of which
tins charge is susceptible, on which no man,
who IS not entirely " dispassionate" should
permit himself to dwell. ! shall content
myself, therefore, by imporing his excel
iency to reconsider this horrible calumny,
against his country and its government, and
form ally and publicly to retract IT, IF the
evil spirit by which he is possessed. cannot
Otherwise he appeased, let him unite with
Mr. rnSin IN denouncing the madness &
folly OF the war, and nor endeavor to blast
lhe character OF the only republican gov
eminent In the world, by accusing it's ru-
iers OF conspiracy to destroy the liberty &
happiness of mankind.
In commercial state the contracting
Oh ueots Is necessary, a trade cannot he
earned on to any great extent without Gre
dit. But owing tn the spoliations upon cur
commerce by the nations Of Europe: the
frequent and unexpected changes in the
commercial regulations and restrictions of
our own government; and to the present
war with Great Britain, the unavc;dable
accidents to which men in trade are expo
sed' have otlate been moe numerous than
at any former period. Many persons by
these unforeseen events, have been inpove-
rlSneo III tneir circumstances, and are be.