The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-03-15
ENQUIRER-OFFICE,
RICHMOND, TYa.1 March IS, 1878.
CIRCULAR.

The time for which I was elected to
represent you in Congress, having nearly ex-
pred, it is a duty / owe you and myself,
TO give q short account Of the manner in
which have discharged the important trust
Conftled TO me. 1-
Il Your representatives are your public ser
wants, appointed by your sovereign authority,
and accountable to you for their political
conduct it is therefore your right * duty to
enquire faithfully and diligently into th sir
public acts, that you may be prepared to
put down, by your disaPprobaton G frowns,
the unsaithful, and award the need of appro-
baton and confidence to the faithful represen-
tatNe.
IL was nv lot to be honored with your con-
fidence at the most awful and trying period
cfsur political history. War hid been de-
clared against the most powerful and vindic-
tive nation upon earth a considerable time
had elapsed without an attempt, on the part
of congress, TO raise men and money suttl-
Gent for its prosecution. Fire, sword, and
devastation, had visited our extensive fron-
tier our treasury was empty, and public
credit fast declining powerful faction both
in and out of congress, had arrayed them
selves against the measures of government,
and seemed to exult in all cur reverses, and
long for our final disgrace and downfall. At
this eventful moment embarked on the bois-
ferrous ocean of political scrutiny and respon
sibility it therefore became my duty TO be on
the alert to exert all the feeble powers pos
sessed TO save our common country from
Impending ruin, and bring the contest in
which we were engaged to speedy and ho-
norablc issue.
If had been doubtful of the original poll
cy of the war, I should have voted and acted
AS Ihave done. Our government had "pass-
ed the Rubicon ;" had gone too far to re-
tract there was no medium between dis
graceful submission, and bold, vigorous, and
successful perseverance.
/ was elected for the express purpose of
aiding in the prosecution of the war, by load
Ing you with taxes and public burdens this
was truly All unpleasant but indispensable
task imposed nI1nn me nv vour snffrages.
feel confident have complied with my duty
and your wishes
Ihad prepared for the press letter of
considerable length, giving an account of the
state OF our finances, army, navy, &c. &c. but
the joyful news of peace having arrived, de-
teImin:d to lay it by and give YOU short
address, better suited to the important
change.
The army will be Immediately disbanded,
and the public expenditures greatly reduced
Commerce will sumo its wonted course /;
our cities and towns Will swarm with mer-
chAndize our flying canvass will Written eve
ry sea, bearing the abundant productions of
our prolific soil to every cline. Our treasu-
~ viii he again repen shed, and the heavy
and alarming burden of taGes you have so pa
tiently and virtuously borne, will be rendered
unnecessary.
Permit me, fellow citizens, TO congratulate
you upon the happy and honorable termina-
ton of the war. We now occupy an homo
rable and dignifed attitude; we haye esta-
blshed national character we have solved
the Interesting problem, and proved to the
astonlshed world, that We are capable #
self-government that repu lican principles
and policy can unite and sustain great and
Inagnanimo,s people amidst the most awful
conflicts and difficulties we have shown
that we have the best materials for An army
and navy that the god of nature ever formed,
and that these materials can be hrou alt m
20 action. Our citizens have thrown off that
efsniiRacy acquired by luxury and case and
hceoTne animated by martial and Conquer
Ing spirit we have seen msn from their
plougi,s. shops, stores, and professions of va
rious kinds suddenly converted into soldiers,
rushing to the field of battle, advancing to
the mouth OF the roaring cannon, defying the
point of the bayonet, and with the intrepidity
and skill OF veterans, spre ding defeat and
death among the chosen ranks of the " com
querors OF the conquerors of Europe" The
brilliant achievements OF our little navy have
inspired every bosom with a wish for its gra-
dual augmentation. Our brave tars have
taught the naughty tyrant of the waves to
Dow their laundering mandates, aud have
won for themselves and their country, i'm
perisha lie laurels their acts of nautical
skill and valor will long comm End the admi-
raton and respect Of the world.
Ii is true. (ts might have been expected, :
these scenes of glory have been little check
cred, but take the whole history together, it
rejects tile highest honor on the American
character.
Ars3dt, the ministerial prints in England,
acknowledge they have been vanquisbed and
slisgr iced both upon sea and land, and the
impartial OF every country have been taught
20 adm re our justice ard respect our pow
err
But there is another point OF view in which
the termination Of the war is highly honora-
able TO our country. It will be recollectcd
that at the opening of the negotiations AZ
Client the British plenipotentiaries boldly
advanced with their q" cine gua non," dcman-
ding the surrender Of great pare of our ter.
ritory, conprehending near hundred thou.
sand OF onr Citizens but such ncgociators q.
Perry, Marlborough, Brown, Gaines, Scott
hacomb, and other kindred gallant spirits
addressed them in the language of thunder 8
lightning and their lordships came down, anc
stood while upon their mi fossidetis Blu
the Presidents message, Monroe's " Con
scription" Dallas's report, stating that tn,
resources Of the nation remained untouched, ,