The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-02-01
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
THE MIssfoN no GorTENRuRG.

! IF1E MISSION TO GOTTENRURG.
No 'e c'.n, feel more pure ~ 2. -'tot
= 'oitctlt - FACE thaii tnc 'vr>rrrlet -hese
remarSs--a ,peace upon honorable terms
and upon permanent basis. But tnat Kind
| OF solicitude which looks more TO the event
than the means, or rather that thoughtless
transport which, rises without a cause and
throws aside every thing like salutary re-
stra'nt and prudent precaUtion, he rejects as
FOLLY. / he individual who suffers himself to
be dece we'd SO far by the art and intrigue Of
an experienced and guieful enemy as TO
throw away his shield aud submit to his
power, may perhaps deserve pity for the
honesty of his motives, but he will meet
with nothing but ridicule for the temerity OF
his conduct. So it is with nations, but such
y is hoped, will not be the case OF America.
Suspicion IN most things may be a fault but
ii it is so IN this, it is % lovely FAULT
Why 1T the present moment there should
be such confident hopes and calculations uD-
on the success ofthe mission to Gottenburg
| 10y those very people who but short time
ago reviled and ridiCuled the mission to Pc
tiers urg, is matter of mystery and asto-
nishment.
1t is in vain that we turn 20 the CORES
pondenoe to find light upon the subject, for
we Immediately turn from it with full i'm
Ipression of the Latin remark &" Lucns q
non fucendo''
Nothing more can be fairly understood or
inferred from it, than that Great Britain has
rejected the mediation of Russia, and has
| agreed to send commissioners TO meet these
| from this country either at London or at
iGottenburg. Not word Of excuse, nor A
beam of reason IS 10 be found 'or her mex
Ipected and ungracious refusal 10 embrace
the opportunity sought by her Friend, and
anxiousiy offered by America for an adjust
ment OF differences. No cause is .tated, no
inducement whatever is suggested for shift
ing the scene of negotiation. An this is i'm,
penetrable mystery TO common people
eey can see nothing to hope for-but the
Leaders ot the peace party and many of it's
followers are blessed with that happiness Of
Vislnn, that tho prospect of peace appears
t1-N1HeT if'itS most assured apJi enchanting
torm. Why they were at FIRST SO furiousiv
opposed to the mission 70 Russia, and WHY
they are now so ioyfuly elated with the
mission 70 Sweden, is past COMPREHENSION.
From the nature OF that overture and the
character from whom it came, there was
every reason 70 believe that Great Britain
would accept 1t with all the alacritv v,b;rb
a sincere desire for peace could insuire. If
there was any thing in the RediatiGn which
could IN any manner excite or irritate the
pride OF either party, it was America thar
should have felt it in accepting a mediate.
the well known Ally of Great Britain. AMI
both of them at the same time CLOSELY and
vigorously united IN a war with France
L mis- circumstance of itself was more thar
enough TO convince and satisfy Great Rri-
tain and her friends in this country. that
there was neither influence nor feay in
regard TO France, and moreover that our
government was &C uated by open, candid e
impatient motives for peace. Eut uot1yifb
standing these catering and PROMISING ans-
pieces the mission to Russia me. with few
friends IN the party.
National and individual cases are said n
hear 50 strong an analogy that the difFicuI..
ties of the first are commonly supnosed 80
be cleared MI, whenever any apt and dec;-
sive conclusion can be formed in the latter
he ruth, IT not the justice of this remark
must be admitted by every one who has hsd
any share IN political discussion for everv
ore who has, must very often have heard
II not nave made the comparison with viz,
Ut brGging the subject, =, il were IN a L,in5
OF focus, by placing it on an individual foot.
ing, & appealing to those generally rera;v
ed rules OF right and wrong which comnon-
ly prevail and decide the affairs of me-
NO" let US suppose tor a moment the case NJ
TWO individuals who have for q long -,
been at variance and have found il ,ae,o,
be to accommodate their differences tbro,,yb
the means OF negotiation, and thar at lsst
they break out into open and active hoeta;
tics One Of them accept a proposition fro,,
thira person who is the known and avsr
red friend OF the olher party to meat 81
ms house tor the purpose Of z7aki7p m
all dBerences. The other partv Win,
Assigning any reason refuses to meet and -
goca'e, but sends proposition thar he viii
meet at one Of TWO places which he an
p ints, at the same time DECLARING ,ba, T..
will not depart from the niaaina ~ by;or;-
hles W och he has hitherto claimed ,nd ,Ct
ed upon, md Tghfch perv B,a1i5e 81 t,;,,-
htes co1nfTeheHd cUcry thivr ePajs,t ,,5;r6
me other nary combiaincd Now il i4eyi
DENLY tair to conclude that the party 5,ras
ing to treat uader the mediation or tbe,r,;
mate friend Of the other was deg;ropq IS az
COMMUNICATION and peace, and il is equa i, @
ydent TO conclude that the party rsE,;-,.
was not And these conclusions srs 80
iecfiy agreeable to an avowed ma,;ro Of 49,.
British Cabinet " thai the party who avoids
egoclation is tie party 6ismclir,d 80
peace" This has been her tone and ~
anguag1 20 other nations. Butt NAV ~,
said that Great Britain wishes M ofhe-
powerto Interfere 10 her American /. ,sn,.'es
BE It So But let it be borne in NH
that 10 fact there IS no Interference. nnd'tbst
a mediator IN the words Of some author tlbc
describes title is mere thing v,itI
name" that he only invites he ,sr,;o,
I N