The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-08-16
POLITICAL.
From Co55esfs London JYeekly Political Regis.
Ter Of Nay 92d 1873.
AMERICAN WAR


AMERICAN WAR.
This war, rs appears by advices from America,
has been further marked by success by land and
our failure BY will not call il disgrace, de-
feat but an American Sloop Of War has de-
fested an English Sloop of War for the second
time. So that, owing to some cause other, the
American Navy, upon equal terms, really seems to
have gained the superiority. In the meanwhile,
however, it is stated, that through the Of the
mediation ct Russia, an opening for nesociaton
for peace is likely to take place. But, from the Ian
guage Of our vile newspapers, the editors OF which
appear to hate the Americans for other cause
than thatthey not slaves. little hopes seem to
exist Of happy result. The article to which aude
is in the following words:-I This -fyticie from fhe
London Times has dlreaay appeared in our pa-
per- And, this is the language OF peace, is it II
would seem, that writers like this feared nothing so
much as end to that war, which has already
brought more disgrace upon the British Navy, than
MI the wars in which we were ever before engaged
1t would really seem, that these men were paid to
endeayour TO cause an American Navy tn be Great
ed What other object they have in view in thus
goading the Americans on to hostility and hatred,
L cannot conceive.--I am sure, that the Times
newspaper by its senseless abuse of Mr.. Madison &
the Congress- asd its insoent and contemptuous lam
susge towards the American people, did much in
producing this fatal Paine has said thSt is the
fdss Feather that breaks the horses back and
would it be any wonder, il this base print by
that insolence, those haunting enaces, in which il
dealt few months before the declared,
vas the iosf feather upon the occasion tit spoke
tempt not 70 be endured Ii told them, that their
Boosted .Wavy should be towed into Halifax in>a
month from the date Of their declaration Of 1t
eaic, that Il hated Other enemies of England but
that Mr.. Madison and his nation were unworthy of
any thing bat contempt 1t was impossible for any
nation to put up with dis Lbels the most atrocious
were published against Mr. Madison and all his bro
thcr officers in the government Inc Naval officers
OF America were spoken Of IS # they were dogs. In
that country the people have something to say as to
public sisirs and isit any wonder, that such publi
cations should produce al effect amongst themy who
read every thing, and who well understand what
they read The President, find, has instantly,
and With great avidty, accepted the mediation of
Russia He ;s very plain man. Wears, or used to
wear, grey coat and his no-powdered hair very
smooth. He had no big wig, nor any gown or any
other hne thing upon him. But, be SCENT to know
very well what he is about. Indeed, all he has to
snow, -, what The people Svisk, and that be knows
hy their votes' He knows, that they hate war, as
the great and fruitful parent Of taxation and arSi
trary power and that, to please them, he must a.
sail himself of every thing that offers, chance
Of putting end to the war upon Just and honour
able terms But, as you see, our hirelipgs exclam
against the acceptance o. any mediation even the
mediation of Russia, who has committed her fleets
into cur hands For once let hope, that these men
do not speak the language of the government If
we refuse the mediation of our own ally in the war
We refuse the mediation Of that power, who, we
say, IS abot to deliver Europe and from the fears
OF Bonaparte; what win that power-what will the
world say OF our cause I'VE not, it seems, to
commit our a0vai rights to the mediation Of any
power" But, this is not proposed, The Americans
do not dispute any thing heretofore acknowledged
by them, or contended for BY uu, as a right. The
thing we contend fer is, the practice o i,ntressinf
fs,Sons on beard neutral ships on the high seas.
This the Anne icans deny to be right; they say,
that II never was before prsctsed commended for
or claimed. by any bs!igerent nation they say that
by NJ writer on public law by no principle ever
laid down By any such writer; by recognition of
any power; by no practice by assertion of ours,
IS this act to be justified In short, they say that
hnep iax r.
" they assert, in this respect, what is true Why
not froOe it Why not cite the book, the treaty
the public document the principle, the president,
Upon. which ground t,i, practice No one at.
iempts to do this and, until it be done, what impu-
cence is ii TO say that possess such o right A
sreeaby to all the principles of jurisprudence, when
man claims right to do that which is, on the face
ct the thing, tresl,ass upon another man, he must
hrst prove his rieht.-There may be in John right
TO pass aer0Ss the field of James; but having now.
for the first time begun exercise this right It s in.
sainoent upon him to prove il in the way OF defence
against an acton OF trespass; and he cannot prove
IL 1t he oaD show neither written deeds nor bring
evidence OF precedent custom, he suffers as 4
trespasser. Apply this to the csse Before us, and
will any one say that, in order to justify war for
such praetice, we ougf not to produce something
in Proof of our right am for giving up no naval
yiSht OF England and, il any one viii shew me
treaty, any declaration of any power, any ,ecogsi
f'o1, any nla':'n' OF any writer upon public law,
any cnston Or precedent Of any Po1,e1 an the whole
.1crld, 70 justify our impressmeht Of persons on
board OF neutral ships the high seas, will say
that our last shot ought to be fred rather than
our practice OF i!npressment. Can say more Can
go further WIN justice or reaeon how me to 20
further than this The Americans will saw, that 4
go much too far but am quite Englishman enough
60 60 this length Further, however, win not go,
call me what the hirel;ngs will. Is it not little 100
much in this writer to talk about cornerstone as de.
maudsd by America She asks Il repeat it for D.
bout the hundredth time) for no CONCESSIONS She
Gays we are trespnssins upon her, and we, without
any attempt to pToVe that not trespassing &C.
eu1e her OF demanding CONCESSIONS because she asks
rs tn cease rphdt she GeeDls a tycscass. I really
Npun no point, ever observed these prints more
and more impuecnt than they are upon this tits
90 plain case. America complains of most ;niu-
she replies PROSE your right: and we reioin by ac-
cusing her of demanding Sncessioas However.
she isnow il seems, to be punished That word will
go backwards down the throat Of those who have
made use 81 it. " Pa1ish1nenf 10 to byecede any
peace with her" Poor foolish wretch who has writ
ten or detstedi tiIg paragraph She ia To be btb.
;shed and she - 10 re'r1ct, before we negocnte n
peace with her beg the reader IN bear this threat
in his mind Whctberhe does or does sot i, will not
be forgotten in .41eTied ere, we may be wei,
assured, that the bombsrdIng, or Burning Of few
towns, vii have other efcc, than thst Of render
ing the c0nte6t more bitter and of enn,6letin, the
commercial separation of tile two countrea per.
haps amongst the things the most wished for by the
b;ersst enemies of England IN Arneiies, Is the
burning Of n zen port two. The loss would he
triHing in comparison with the advantage 10 those
WHO Wish 20 cut the two countries asunder fore%er
80 Fear 7" " .8idr1n !o' What alarm are they in I
Those who know them, know how small sacrifice