The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-12-29

"
mainly and justice. We must be better ac-
quanted with the internal state of the colony,
to be able to speak of concessions, which it
may be expedicnr to make in the system to Ge
established Tor the purpose Of protecting the
Ia'odrs OF the one class, the industry of the o.
Their, and the rights OF all
These things can only be the result of
connections with those who exercise authori-
ty, and who are the existing chiefs of the po-
puiation. The immediate eultivators of the
soil IN St. Domingo are not ignorant that the
former Kings of France were full of solicit
tuoe tor their fate; and it will be easy for
the delegates OF government to convince new
chiefs OF the beneticeht intentions of King,
the Legitimate successor of him whom they
idolzcd
There is ground TO hope, that from the
communications will proceed regulations cal
culated to put an end to all calami.ies, by
bridling all the passions, ard directing all in
terests according TO Justice and wisdom"
Alter thus giving some prospect of the DOS
sfoility OF repoSsessing St. Domingo, NJ Lame
calls the attention Of the Chamber to that ar
ucie in the Treaty of Peace, which provides
the means of7repairing the loss of population
III the colonies. This part OF his report is ex-
tremely interesting.
You are not ignorant" observes the re-
porter, =" of the clamours excited in a neigh
bourinS nation on the subject Of one clause,
which, Tor an opposite reason, has called forth
the complaints OF our colonists and maritime
towns. These ciamours & these complaints
must be disregarded. The two governments
have tahen this solemn treaty for a law, and
since France submits to it she is entitled to
look for the same respect from the other con-
tracing party.
tits very necessary, Gentlemen, to guard
against opening door to such discussions :;
for on this subject agreat previous question
always meets us, namely the faith Of treaties
and the national dignity.
A nation will no more submit to be die
tated to IN morals than in religion and, how
ever hne the plans of philanthropy may be,
1t will ALLEVIATE nations from the counsels
which 1t lavishes, should it endeavor to COM
mand them to be followed by the infracticn
OF treaties destined to prepare, with prudence,
the accomplishment of the wishes of human-
ty.
thus, gentlemen, it appea RS to us, that
we should not entertain any uneasiness on the
frank and full execution of a treaty OF peace,
winch restores to France in the place of her
conquests, part OF her colonies, and secures
TO her rank among maritime powers
we ara secured by the promise of the
soVereisns, with whom our long differences
nave been terminated and also Try their own
-fterssss. hey kno's, that it cannot be at
tempted without danger, to imprison a war
like people on a territory to which nature has
given three hundred leagues of coast they
Know that, IN the interests even of Europe
there must be conductors to the martial spi-
rit OF thai people, ailments for its activity, &
compeDsations for its losses. Thus secured
by the faith and the interest of the sovereigns
of Europe. our merchants and our naviga-
tors may undoubtedly continue with security
their maritime SDeculations -
The reporter had considered the question
OF delay demanded by the colonists for the
payments of their debts, but the comrp ss;ot
hadJ Judged proper to adjourn that exanina-
ton, till after the discussion should be held in
the Chamber Of Peers, Oil project of law re
lative to the same object, and presented to
that Chamber, in the name of the King, by
NJ. the Chancellor Of France.
M. Laine concludes his report BY the fol-
lowing resolution, proposed to the Chamber
in the name ofthe Commission:
" Considering that the mean. to be taken
tn arrive at the possession and pacifcation of
St. Domingo, rs well as at the establishment
81 an interior government analogous to cir
cumstances, essentially concern the executive
power:
" considering that the re-estabiishment of
St. Domingo, the object of the wishes of
France, is also the constant object of the So
'S'@NNS VA ihio NidlSSNN UidL IL Is IST tIle go
vermont 70 propose the subsidies which it
shall judge necessary for attaining that end :
Considering that NJ. the Chancellor of
France has already proposed to the Cham
Der OF Peers, on the delay in the payment OF
the debts of the colouistS of st. Domingo, a
plan of law on which the Chamber of Depu-
tics will soon be summoned 10 deliberate:
The Chamber transmits TO the Govern
ment the petitions which have been addressed
TO IT, the report of the Commission of petitions,
and the present report"
We cannot close this article without max
ing an observations 20 re-itsstire ma
NY persons who think they perceive in the vir-
ulent articles Of the London Journalists, the
opinion of the English government it is, that
1t IS impossible for government which SO
wellunderstands its interests 70 he blind to the
consequences which would infallibly result TO
its own colonies from the entre separation Of
St Domingo from France. a period would
sooner or later arrive when the spirit of in
dependence would pass from island TO island.
and deprive EuropeaN governments Of posses
sions which are so highly useful to them. Can
it be imagined that the Blacks of Jamaica are
less alive 20 the pleasures ofindependence than
those of st. Domingo Would>the COMPARE
son which they must be constantly making
between their own situation, and that of their
brethren the Dukes and Peers of Hayti, be
without danger to the repose Of the English