The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-04-13


In this point of view VIZ have CO. oper sted
with France; we have seized on passing
events and aaofied measures apple able TO
the circumstances Of the times aud adapted
20 the policy OF the country. Whatever
there ma, be erin inal or foreign in such
policy. Mr.. e. said he would readily assume
As to the stale rye Of French influence
again insinuated at this day, he could not be
expected to notice it !; he detested and con.
tenned it 1t was ridiculous it had no
thing to do with this or any other ques-
ton in THE mouse, or with the policy OF the
government. The object of the government
had been to control the maritime and COM
mercial POLICY of the enemy !: in this res
pect the war and the restrictive system were
iden;ihed-they were merely different
means ct asserting the same end. the noble
end OF the liberty OF the seas, free trade and
sail rs rights. Whether the one or the
ther should be pursued, or both, was a mat
ter OF election. to be decided by the exer-
else OF a sound discretion, No imputatinn
OF improper foreign influence can be sus.
tanned against the government for seizing
on the circumstances arising from the state
of either France or England to adapt our
measures accordingly. Even England re-
gulates her csnduct by that of France
Aod when nations regulate their policy BY
| the circumstances of their enemies. might
not we, whilst neutrals, regulate our CEN
duct according to the circumstances of the
lbellEerensst The restrictive system and
this war have common poicy-to main
tain cur rights and compel the enemy to
resp &C our Just claims. 1t was believed by
p Ntciaas on all sides that, owing to the
-ituatinn of the. world, the restrictive system
was one which had prior to the war, saw.
ed our commerce from foreign control and
subsection, which had prevented us from
beng IN tact recolonized. Suppose the po-
'icy of the gentleman had been pursued, &
we had f,rgo,ten Europe, and been indif
ferent to British eXactions and expressions.
What would have been the result Our
commerce would have been placed under
the direction of England i would have
b. en- carried on for her benefit she would
have kept on monopoizing & monopoIiziny
until not only our carrying trade, but our
direct trade and even our coasting trade
would have been destroyed. We had com
menced resistance by the restrictive system.
1t would have been wiser, MIR. G.. said. in
his opinion. If we had began with war, and if
ne had then been member Of this House
| he would have preferred that course. That
the two systems of war and restriction were
consistent with each other was all that he
commended for. We were now, he said, in
pursuit OF the good old policy to which we
nave been compelled to resort, of resisting
by war the maritime expressions Of Britain
which began with the rule of SO, and gail
ed strength II the power and ambition with
which: he administration of Chatham in
splred the councils of England. 1t had
continued growing until it had compelled
TINS Country 10 leave the sweets and ease
I neutrality tsencopnter the hazards and
ihardships of war What would be lost bv
giving up the restrictive system, Mr.. C.
said would be made UP by increased vieor
20 the war. We should still be able to CO.
cree the enemyy we could still act and act
more strongly on his provinces we could
commit oePredations on his Commerce By
our privateers-and the very circumstap
OF ar existing with Great Britain, toeeth
err with the operation of the double duties,
would stili retain, as to her, two-thirds of
the commercial restrictions which now ex-
ist. hope. fssid MIR. G. J the gentleman
VIII not assert tnat this House or the gov
eTnrnent has co-operated in the views of
France hope the gentleman believes ne
to be too honorable men for that, and that
we stand On American ground History
VIII view the Conduct of this govern nent in
that highland will record that we acted by
ourselves, unconnected and uncontrolled by
ANY foreign nation.
m an was very willing to part from, the res
trictive system. it was very natural that he
should feei for it something like the feeling
tor departed friend, and should desire TO
ms IKE it appear respectable when near its
end. He now rose to correct an innres
sion his former remarks appeared to have
made or the senilenan's mind. The preat
objection WHICH he had before offered to the
restrictive system was. that it was a mea-
sure which for its success depended I'm the
courre Of even's III foreign nations. He had
made no observation as to motives the oc
casion did not call for il but ne contended
that the system about to be abolished wac
a system Of false policy altogether-in other
words, that =" the good old fashioned policvo
was that from which we should never
have departed. We ought to have asserted
our rights by our own strength, & not. even
for the purpose Of effect;ng great OBJ; Ct
have resorted 10 Course OF measures wt;ch
must be imperative we ought to rely for
the maintenance of our rights and redress
Of our wrongs on our own power, and no,
adopt policy depending on others TO make
it eaoiert. OF late our policy had been g.
wagering, one day voting this system good.
another day bad, that our acts and statues
frowD at each other on record in the nost
positive spirit Of contradiction.
Mr.. W fgkt of Md. in p few -yc-ds ex
planned his ideas of the Embargo. He had
believed Ii 4 wise measure. and had sim
ported IL. But the circumstances of gu
rope had essentially changed, and win
then vsr srs-rds Of the sIlosssss. OF ,,,ch
changes 1t was right for the administrator
to- take advantage &c he believed the Elk.
ecutiye had ia recnmroe, d;p, re ,o,>.al a,