The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-04-12

world. That event was marked by the SUBJ
version of every thing established and even
those who pretended to uphold the ancient
order OF things, were guilty of the grosse3t in
novations.
America was kept with difficulty from be-
ing drawn into the vortex. BY observing
what some called at that time, a cold neutra-
dfy Of conduct, she escaped the evil of being
made party to the contest, but in fact, gave
satisfaction to none ofthe bellgerent powers.
In the progress OF the war, the two great an
tagonists seemed to vie with each other in
acts OF outrage against all the neutrals, who
feH within their respective spheres. Ameri-
ca, from her geographical situation, became
the principal sufferer from the ambition of
the mistress of the ocean. New and I'M
heard OF pretenSions were advanced, which
encroached upon her undisputed rights. To
tneSe usurpations, she opposed for long
u'he nothing but the language of gentle re-
monstrance.
These were answered by new edicts more
Migrant than their predecessors. Still a.
tacned to peace frem principle and from in
terest, She forbore to assume a more energetic
language. At length that conduct which was
the dictate of prudence, was falsely attribu-
led to imbecility and fear. Our government
was regarded as too feeble to adopt any vi
gorous measure of resistance the peopIe as
by the pursuit of commercial gain. to feel the
conscious dignity of frsemen. That spirit
which animated our fathers to endure every
| privation, and brave every dai.ger for the
attainment of liberty, seemed not to have
descended to their degenerate sons. "Give
| them their woods and their liberty" (said Id.
Chatham, in speaking of the Americans of
Io) and they ask no more" Give them
| gold Tan English statesman of the present
slt1 q
their liberty ITSELF" Such an opinion might
naturally be expected to produce the most
| unfortunate consequences I; and the event
| exceeded the anticipation. Day after day,
| inroads were made on our rights, without
the shadow OF pretext. England pursued
systematic hostility against our commerce.
and plotted the dismemberment of our union.
France, under the pretext of retaliation. did
her part, with very inferior means. to annoy
ana lnsnlt ne The doctrine &c the scc :as:o-
ms was introduced with new CLOSES into the
code OF public law, and strained in its appli-
cation, tar beyond its true spirit.
| simultaneously with these acts of foreign
aggression, there wasa spirit of discord
working at horne, which ably seconded the
views OF the common enemy. A mixed
party composed of every shade of political
| opinion. from the renegade republican, to the
high-toned monarchist, armed with the for
n
cesSant cannonade against the government.
Every measure was traduced every at
tempt at vigorous resistance raised cry of
Partiality and oppression. If the govern
ment determined on an embargo, as the best
means OF ave"ting the war, these implacable
foes denounced it as cruel and oppressive to
the Citizens. and intended to favor the French
emperor When Erskine's arrangement
was made, they treated it with contempt, &
L "A 4 hqc
obtaines ar any time, but for the Irritating
course which Tad been pursued. when that
arrangement was afterwards unczpectly re-
Jected, they affirmed that nothing else could
have been expected that the terms were
too ignominious for the king OF Great Britain
to subscribe ; and OUR government were
roundly accused of szvindli2g in the procure
ment OF that agreement When Henry's
plot was brought to light, they abused the
administration for paving $4,000 dollars
Tor the secret, but treated the transaction
with the utmost levity, although subsequent
events have proved wonderful coincidence
between his views and the conduct or the
| Hartford convention. In 1906, they were
ciamorous Tor resistance to,the revival of
| what is Called the rule of SO {; in 1872. they
, thought the orders in council, blockades, and
mnpressment, were insufficient causes of war.
III we talked OF resisting both powers, the
| ioSd was IiuiCuieO, ana IL was called IN dcri-
sion " a triangular war" FIVE selected one
| power as our enemy, the cry of French in
fuence was again revived.
| Some, indeed, openly defended every act
! OF the British government and while we
| we're at war, bestowed the most extravagant
| panegyrics on every thing English. When
| the Allies entered Paris, which placed c.
Britain on the pinnacle Of power, their exuI
tation could be kept within no bounds. The
| paltry concerns of this dirty hemisphere were
| spurDed by these politicians of expanded
minds, and it was deemed Of no consequences
whether such Insignificant insects were crush
| ed, in comparison with the restoration of IT,
! climate princes, and the exaltation of the
] great "bulwark Of cur holy religion I'm
| short, thousand antics were PLAYED, which
l have no inclination to repeat, or even to
remember. The opposition seemed deter
mined By every means in their power, 70
thwart the measures of the government, to
| raise the confidence OF the enemy, & to pro-
| tract the difficulties of the country
pass by the disgraceful conduct OF the
| Eastern States, not because it is of slight i'm
portance, but because it is too recent to have
been forgotten, and because ! shall have oc
! caslon to speak of it more particularly here
after.
When all these facts are taken into serious
consideration, can any man wonder that G.
Britain should have entertained the opinion.
that the u. 5. were too much divided among