The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-12-18
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
TO THE EDITOR.

an OPINION recently published in your pa
per, and ascfibed to Mr.. jefferson, in favor
OF the Allies, has induced the subsequent
reflections and remarks This opinion is so
manifestly adverse to the interests of the u
STATES, IN the consequences of such an event,
that we cannot reconcile it to our belief that
10 eper .fqosoed from IRE Hhs or the hen of
| that HnS1rions man. Nor can we perceive
any thing in the cause or the characters of
those parties, that Can possibly induce such
strong feelings OF sy rhpathy and affection in
their behalf.
In relation to the different Dyna,ties of
the cortinent, we presume that no matter
what changes they may experience, there
viii be little or no prospect Of cheering the
Republican or the Philanthropist with a.
hope OF amending tlss condition IF the peo-
pie
With the individual, characters who fill
these elevated stations, we have nothing to
do as politicians or Americans. 1t is indeed
at best but an adventurous opinion, TO say
mat any one 1T them is more or less Qp,Q6ke
than the rest. But in regard to their politi-
sal conduct and relations, we have the evil
| dence OF facts and experience in saving
that self-interest is their exclusive rule of
jCtion.
Ii we were to take the opinions of Great
britain as our guide upon the subject, at the
tine when she was without an ally on the
ccn''nent, we should conclude without an
exception, that they were all alike, base,
ethnlous and unjust A fw years. howe
V.r, have prcdu ed as wtl derful transfer
| nation as any to be found IN the metamor
phosis OF the Latin Poet. They who at that
| TINE were dopes knaves, and poltroons, are
LOW patriots OF unexampled lustre. states
men of incorruptble integrity, and heroes
f more than tabled virtue and valur. The
Emperor OF Russia was particularly obnox-
lous as dupe to Bonaparte the king Of
PRUSSIA was ridiculous object of contempt
5 coward, and the Emperor of Austria
II he had never prostituted his daughter and
betrayed his friend, would still have been
considered as loathsome combination of
both. NO nan will deny the ambition of the
FRENCH emperor and none will acknowlede {
! any other feelings towards him than those
which he must feel towards every tyrant.
Hut this is merely selecting one figure from
| the group--eXamine the whole together.
| Win comparative view, and even take in
! he Roy al Family of the Bourbons, and upon
Just estimate and balance Of facts and
circumstances. the character of Bonaparte
! Ill be as fair as tie fairesr in the assem-
biage There is a ,frcshneSs in the sins OF
Bonaparte every thing he has done is with
IN the reach OF our memory, and nothing is
suh rcd :" be carried into oblivion Inv the
current e time. II eI-a ia q liking soveiss
! N ms hai acter; unexarntled skill & bold
ness in his schemes, ard wonderful success
IN MS wars These things concur in keeping
him with al, his history constantly before
our eyes, and looking upon him as daring
nsurper; every thing has a kind of exaeee,
rated and magical effect. Such has been
the habit OF thinking in Europe, that it
perfectly impossible TO remove from tn
mind the ideas and feelings which start W.
/ fhp OespS .rf1
innate Emperor or King Commits an act. I
IS very calmly said to be either COED or bad /:
But IT the emperor o. France Commits bad
act, he s not Only condemned for that. but
| : whole association Of IDEAS aud feelings
unite III pouring forth their vengeance again 4
! min as an usurPer. On his side the Atlan
| tic, we have been in III habit f thu king
very diiei emily upon these matters, and the
naive born American thinks only of the SO.
vcrsiSnty OF other nations where it ac.ua;iy
resides, without ENDURING into The nature
OF the tenure by winch it is held, whethc'
upun the principle of Diuine Rieht, or upon
any other VIII ma have perpetually com
Initted 1t to the hands of any particular ia
Ini'y- We should therefore suppose that
very American OF this character would be
'htirelY tree from those prejudire5 and IRA
tlonal modes of thinking, and that his res
pect, gard, or preference for any sett of
people on the other side of the water, would
De entirely in proportion TO their justice, IN
t gritty and cord will towards ourselves
Now, in tcl3tion T. Great Britain or France.
to George the Tx or Bonaparte, no man
who has any esteem for candor and impair
tiatIiy, viii say that the one is less guilty
than he OTHER, in perfdv, oppression and
injustice. They arc in every Point of view.
III great and little things, parallels in I'M
quty and the Emperor Of France will suf
er nothing on comparison with his predeces-
isors--the Douroons.
In saying his, we arc authorised to feel q
considerable share Of confidence, because
we are supported by the High Authority Of
an Engli,n minister. whose mind, if not su-
perior' was at least equal TO that of sny
other person who ever acted III that -charac-
ter. In speaking Of France, the illustrious
POH says, III site has oyerrun Countries and
rIvaged them, she has done it upon Boxr-
BON friEcF les. If she has ruined and de-
! lhroned sovereigns, it is entirely after the
boHr6on hummer. j she has even frater
sized with the people Of Foreign Countries.
ana pretended TO make their cause her own
3lie has only faithfully folio we'd the Bourbon
/ fIaMI'!c -" And nav complaint against
/ Iance is not that she has promulgated new
Uischei' but that she has adopted and acted
! upon principles which have Been 81 fatal 10
iEur0pe' under the practice Of the House Of
Bourbon" "
lnthe same speech he continues. III this
| war oi invectiye and reprcach is TO be