The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-12-10

vents on the continent of Europe. his males
eySgovernment had been unable to reinforce
tue british armies in Canada, and the United
otates had obtained a decided superiority IL,
'has quarter, is there any person who doubts
mat they would have awaited themselves of
their situation to obtain on the side of Canada
important cessions of territory, if not the entire
anandoInnstit ot that country by Great Brit
ana isthe American government to he al
owed TO Pursue, 50 tar as its means will ena-
oie II, z system OF acquisition and aggrandizc-.
'neht 10 the extent OF annexing entire prpvin-
ces TO their tlcIninions, & is his majesty to be
preciuded from aNring himself of his means,
so lar as they will enable him. to retain those
points which the yalor of British arms NAV
nave Piaceo IN iiis power, because they hap
pen TO De situated within the territories allot-
teu under former treaties to the government, Of
the United States!
oach principle at negotiation was never
aVoWed at any period antecedent to that Of
INC revolutionary government OF France.
II the pulley of the u. States had been es-
senlaily pacific, rs the American plenipoten-
oaiies assert Il ought to be, from their polit-
cal institutions, from the habits of their cti-
zenS' q from their physical situation, it might
i'1' nave beeh necessary TO propose the pre-
Isuuor'ary provisions now uncier discussion
nat, or late years at least, the American yo
vernnent have been influenced by a ,,ery diff.
ierent policy by spirit of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
not necessary TO their own security. hut in
creasii'S with the extent OF their empire, has
oeeh too Clearly manifested by their progress
I'VE occupant n Of the Indian Territories bv
ne acquisition OF Louisiana by the more re-
cent attempt to wrest by force of arms from
nation III anity, the two Floridas and. last
~ ny tne avo"ed intention permanently an
nering the Canadas to the u s.
II, then, the security of the British North
american dominions, requires any sacrifices
on tie part OF the United States, they must be
ascIioed to the declared policy of that govern
lneiit IN making the war not one of self de-
renee nor tor the redress of grievances. real
or pretended, but part of a system, of con
quest and itggrsndiZement
he british government in its present sifI-
alton, is bound In duty To entleavor to secure
Us North-Anericaa Gominions against those
al'enFts at conquest. which the american
government have avowed TO be a ,principIe
q their policy, and which as sucl, WI un-
aouDtcdiy be renewed, whenever an1 succeed
ing war between the two countries shall af-
tofd a prospect OF relieving them with sue
cess.
lie British Plenipotent;arie5 proposed that
the military possession of the lakes, from lax.
ontario To Lake Superior, sGoud be secured
10 S.brltaii, because the command of those
NN~' 'o"iu "AAoiu 70 the american govern
ment the means OF Commencing a war in She
| heart Of Canada, and because the command
OF them, on the part of Great Britain has
been shewn Py. experience 20 be attended
| with no insecurity to the L. s.
| when the relative strength of the two pow
! ers III North America is considered, it should
| be recollocted that the British donini,ns I'm
| thas quarter DO not contain population Of
I I've hundred thousand souls. whereas the ter
| flscGy oil the L. States contains population
more toan seven millions that the naval re-
sources OF the y. States are at hand FOR at
tack, and Chat the naval sources of G. Pri
tam are on the other side of the Atlantic.
The military possession of those lakes is
aot' therefore, necessary for the protection of
the u. S. "
The proposals for allowing the territories
| on the southern banks Of the lakes above mo-
| tioned to remain in possession of the govern
ment OF the q. States, provided no fortihca-
hons should be erected on the shores, and no
armament permitted on the waters, has BEEN
made Tor the purpose of manifsstine, that Sc
Surity and not acquisition of territor, is the
object OF the British Government, and that
they nave no desire to throw Obstacles in the
/ way OF any commerce which the people OF
the United States may be DESTROYS of carry
ing on upon the lakes in time Of prace.
ne Undersigned, with the anxious wish "a
rectty ali misunderstanding, have thus more
| idiiy explained t!ic grounds upon waici they
drought forward the propositions Contained in
the'r former note respecting me boundz,i, $
! OF tic British doniinons III North America.
ihey do'not wish toiDsst upon them beyo,.d
J what the circumstances may ftiriy reo'a;re.
! They are ready, aulicatly, 10 discuss the de
I tails OF them with view 20 the asoi,tifn of
! any notifications which the An erican pleni-
! lotentaries, or their government, may have
| to suggest, il they are not INCOMPATIBLE with
tile object itself.
With respect q the boundary of the dis
t'ict OF Maine, < tia: & the. Moth Western
frontier OF the y. ). t,.c undersigned were not
| prepared TO anticipate the objections contain
ed IN the nate of the American plenipotentin-
ries, =" thai they were Instructed TO treat for
| the revision o. theii boundary lines with tie
statement which they have subsequently,
made, that they hal no authority TO ccds any
part, oweTer Insignificant Of Ike territories
| OF the United States, although the PROPOSAL
| isit 4; open 70 them 20 demand an eonivo-
lent foT such cessior either in frontier or o.
| tierwisc.
The american plenipotendaries must be
| aware that the boundary OF the district Of
| Name has never been correctly agcertan,eJ :
! that tue one asserted at present b. the hr1s-
f,can government by which, the direct com
| municatlon between Halifax and Quebec be-
! comes interrupted, Wa@nct in contamination
! OF the British p!er,potentj;,ries who con:luJed
! the treaty OF 1855, and that Tho greater pm
| Of The territory ia frosrfs,,, ;- e~t,..t .