The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-03-15


can be tested, and that Oh which the oopo-
nents OF the government feel the strong
est. Let us give II an impartial considera-
ton. 1t will be- said by AN enemy of the adj
n,inistration, that we have not obtained any
one or the rights for which we have conten-
de6 that the Orders in Council were revo-
ked before the enemy had notice of the dec
larat'on OF war and that the imDressrnent
OF our seamen is passed over IN silence by
the Treaty of Peace.
II! were ambitious of party triumph,
would quote the language of the Federalists
@hen Admiral Warren made proposition
to our government for an armistice, after it
was known that the Orders in Council mad
been revoked. 1t was then said by one aud
all Of them, that the orders in council being
the only alledged cause of war, suspension
OF hostlites should Immediately take place
upon their revocation s, the improvement OF
seamen was thrown out Of the question by
them, because that grievance was not enume
rated In the declaration OF war, and Of course
Could not be considered as one of the essen
tial points of difference between the two
countries. This was their language when
they wanted to raise clamor against the adj
mlmstration tor rejecting Admiral Warren's
OTTER. They were then anxious co prove that
all the obstacles to peace had been removed,
and that the war was Continued without any
aso9oed cause. -No7s, when the Treaty is
ratified, and their policy requires that they
should contend that we have surrendered ev-
cry point in dispute, they multiply as much
as possible the Causes of THE war, and adopt,
among others, the very inpressment of sea-
men, which before they had rejected.
However strongly this argument may be
addressed to the modesfy of the federalists,
the friends Of the administration do not want
It's a'H. Truth and candor require us to adj
NIT, that the imprcssment of seameu was AN
important item in the catalogue of our sriev-
ances; and that the war was produced in
great degree BY that offensive practice The
enquiry then is, have we obtained any suffi-
cient assurance that these obnoxious princi-
pies will not be again asserted :
| answer without hesitation in the affirma-
tive.
First Both the Orders in Council and the
impressment OF our seamen. have been in fact
discontinued-the former by an express re-
vocation, and the latter by the pacliication OF
Europe. BY one o. those unexpected reyolu-
tons OF which history affords few examples,
the only motive which England could have for
enforcing the practice of impressment, has
ceased to exist. She will undoubtedly re-
duce her navy to peace establishment.
Secondly. We have the best assurance
that the claims III question will never be re-
vived This assurance is not founded upon
any St7fDtItion IN a treaty but upon the
fact which has been made Clearly 20 appear
to Our adversary, that we are no despicable
enemy and that we can make her feel the
effects OF our resentment in the most tender
points TO enter into detail on this sube t,
wonld Anticipate the remarks which ] have
reserved for subsequent number. IT will be
sufficient merely TO say that we have infct-
ed wound on her national pride which an
age will not heal---that we have p!undered
her commerce at her very doors--that our
sea-porto have been IN great measure; irlyul-
herabte 20 her attacks--.ana that the tiaest
armies OF which she could ever boast have
been fooled oy the undisciphned yeomanry of
our country. These are facts Of which she
had no conception and her delusOn has only
been cured by the war. Let any rejecting
man then say, whether England will be anx-
.one 70 provoke cts:cc nation, W sS,icii,
even IN Its infancy, gives such proof. of vigor,
and such an ezrnes, Of what it can achieve.
St'li twill be said that We have not COM
peiled Great-Brtain to renounce the ABSTRACT
right on which these illegal acts we're found
ed. ! ne answer TO this IS, we never set up
such ciain challenge the world TO pro-
ouce any ofilcial document where such a pre-
tension is advanced. Abstract opinions are
harmless, so long as they are confined to the
man which gives them birth. 1t is only when
they are embodied IN acts, that they become
an OBJECT OF general concern. have no doubt
that speeches may have been made by intIivi-
duais, and paragraphs of newspapers might
be quoted, which would warrant such con-
| clusion, but these are Of 10 moment, in an en-
qury into the acts the government.
Taxing. tncn, the opposition upon the ground
which they themselves would choose, think
1t may be demonstrated that our country has
| come out OF the war, not ONLY with her honor
| unlmpartd, but with the substantial attain
| ment of the ends for which she entered into
1t. l am persuaded that if the poison of
| party spirit did not minglc in all our opinions,
there would be but one sentiment of satisfac-
! ton at the terms of the peace. But il is un-
| fortunately too true, that there are many a
mong US, who would regard any treaty as
| disastrous which did not operate 50 the adj
vantages of their own political sect Peace,
| the great object Of their prayers, would have
no charms for them, if 1t had tendency to
Confirm their opponents in power. Jti hu-
| man nature. No man likes to be Convicted
| before the world OF being false prophet
| and those who rashly comIn tied Their char
acter tor sagaciry, upon the prediction tina.
" noHt Of ef those Tuto pofed for mar, 7vonLo
" GUe TO vote for trace" can never forgive
| those who have been Instrumental in the de
lection Of their empirical soothsayings. 1t j.
remarkable, that while the opposition iii thi.
| country are labouring to prove the peace dis.
| graceful TO ourselves, there seems to prevail
an opposite opinion throughout the British
doninions and while they treat with con