The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-05-18

tfurther detaShfHentS as might be necessary
and also having determines to raise regu
lar regiment for the defence Of the State
To be ohicered by our citizens cxclusively-
! and further. having promised such othe,
additional aid as the exigeucy of our affair:
might require presented a state of things
| which. Could it have been anticipated by
| the Legislature, the Executive believed
would have prevented the passage of the
law. Under this Impression, it became a
question OF much Importance with The exec
utive what c0ul sc they should parsue. TIC
carry the law into effect after such assur-
auees from the General Government, was to
adhere to system Of defence, in its extent.
Inadequate to the object for which it was
intcnded-justifable only in cases of ex-
treme necessity, q establishing precedent
liable to be perverted to the worst # pur-
pcses, and, also involving the State in an
expense of half q million of dollars by
winch, our little resources heretofore hus-
banded With Duch care. were To be inme-
Idiateiy squaadsred. and our constituents
Exposed to new burthens. To forbear to
ieXecute it, was not with suit IFS difficulties.
For the Executive to take upon itself ,he
high responsibility of rot executing the law
OF the land, was 50 hostile to the constitu-
ton, and pre- edent of nature so dan
Serous as tobe entirely inadmissible.
convention OF the Legislature was exposed
to two objections. The Inconvenience to
the members, and an expense TO the con-
monwcalth. The kpu~n patriotism of the
Representative of the people which counts
a nothing. personal Inconvenience made
necessary by thepulSiic service, removed
the hrst: the last. when opposed to the inter-
estirg considerations. which dictated the ne
cessity OF an extraordinary meeting of the
4 s@va u. Ill ~ -
Under this view of the subject call of the
Legislature wac supposed less liable to OBJ
J ctioh, than any other Course we could
adopt. If the facts now disclosed should
produce on the minds of the General AS.
sembly an opinion, CO incident with that of
the Executive, it will be to them highly
CRAFTY ing; IL otherwise, we shall console
ourselves with the reflection that we have
manifested our devotion TO principle and
subservienoy to the just theory of the con-
situation which renders prudent in all cases
OF doubt, difficulty, and Importance, an APP
peal through the constitutional organ, to
the public will.
No change has occurred in our foreign
relations since the last session of the Legis
lature, except preferred mediation OF the
emperor OF Russia, with view to .negoci-
alton with the enemy. This was accepted
racteristic f'ankness, and in conformity with
it's uniform and sincere professions of soiici-
tude for an honorable peace, and in conse-
quence two ENJOYS Extraordinary have
been appointed to repair to ST. Petersburg,
and who have sailed, to meet the diplomatic
representatives OF the British nation. Not
understanding this new evidence furnished by
the American Government of its disposition
for peace, and Notwithstanding also the adj
vanCes it has made by law which passed
at the last session of Congress in relation To
seamen, removing every pretext on the part
OF Great Britain to persevere in hostilities,
yet such is the character of the enemy as
to render the result of the negotiation so
precarious as IN no degree to authorize an
abatement. OF our most vigorous efforts
Presuming. that it is vovr Tvis'r-zTrSr the
session should be as short as is compatible
with the public service, 1 shall forbear To
call your attention to any other subject ex-
cept such as cannot be avoided, OF which
class are TWO vacancies In the General
Court, produced by tho death of the Honor
able William Nelson and the Honor
able Richard Parker. To supply the va,
cancy produced by the former, Robert
Saunders. Esq. OF Williamsburg, was APP
pointed. who declined acceptance; the rea
sons which produced that determination are
disclosed in his answer to my letter com
municating his appointment, copy of which
is herewith enclosed in packet &, marked
No. 1. William Daniel, Esq. of Cumberland
was then selected, who accepted, as will
appear by his lettes, copy of which is also
enclosed, marked No Q. Ellison Currie
Esq. OF Lancaster, was appointed to supply
the vacancy produced by the death of Ri.
chard Parker, Esq. and accepted, copy
of his letter is also enclosed, marked No. 8
i think it necessary to advise you that
| our endcavors to effect settlement of oui
accounts with. the Government of the Unit
ed States, which were communicated to the
last Legislature, have been Intellectual
should it be your wish to act upon this sub
ject, correspondence between the tive
Governments will be transmitted.
| The operations or the enemy, with the
defensive measures we have adopted, are O
a nature to REQUIRE separate conrlunica
| ton. which is now prepared and. will b,
I made tomorrow. ] cannot forbear, how.
ever, to avail myself of the present oppor
tuniy of paying just tribute of applause t,
the patriotism of our Citizens, who viii
| cheerfulness- and alacrity obeyed the sum
mons to the field. 1t is highly gratiiyin,
evidence that the spirit of their Fathers i
undated As a successful Issue of the Clio
rious revolution crowned the efforts of til,
one, so an honorable termination of tn,
present contest, under Providence, will re
ward the other
JAMES BARBOUR.
] DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED IN PACKET A
WAsH1EGToa, March 2Ist, 1918.
1 Dear Sir->i had the pleasure to receive yours