Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-02

considerable effect. The idea i substantially true,
ii 70 my mind ai!oids ain unanswcrable argu-
mcnt for Substituting, speedily as possible,
omcthing instead OF the embargo. The most de-
cisye reason in my loind for this substitution is
lhat which ! have. heretofore suggested 10 you.
The law will not b executed. l. will be resisted
unde' The organized "a cton Of state authority
Already, notwith Standing the decision o. the Dis
t:ic' Judge, on the consi,utionaity OF the exist
inc ws, The juiies will not convict FOR violation
against them. Constitutional objections will re :
with tenlolG force against the contemplate cd
additional laws, and you will soon find State
Judges undertaking to decide these questions in
their way. =
What AN engine in the hands of these people is a
system OF restriction which turns all The evil hu-
n.ogS Of your political body inward Gentlemen in
Congress have said they willing 10 .'ipD0se
the case ol iorciblc resistance 20 the laws, but that
il it should harpen, they would use the cautery
and the knife. Buff you continue, and aggravatc
these laws, you must suppose the or YOU will
impose them under an erroneous view OF the state
Of things. When Cesar was approaching with his
army from Gaul, POinpey refused to suppose The
case that lac would cross the Rubicon; and for tlns
refusing TO suppose the case, was utterly unpre-
pared TO resist him when he came. II Is easy to
talk Of using the cau;ery and the knife. more
easy than 10 use them in reality. Butitis the We
ry necessity OF using them, which would al al
most any hazard avoid
Let moi the administration Too much ila,tcr it
self with supper, from those whom il considers as
its friends Many CT these were friends of the
summer. irieni- as long as fivors were 10 be OBJ
tanned, and the popular gale blew with them
know that some Of the most eminent among them
are "avcrins to say the least. | know that some
81 them are men who connect with all public con.
siderations much calculated for Themselves. The
day when these will fail VIII h. precisely The day
OF 'rlai. Excuse me TO- saving thus much; il is
moi for he purpose OF creating disrust but state
the actual condition of things upon which all use
iul public council! must be founded.
feel the more anxious that the determination
TO renew the commercial enterprise should now
be taken by the government, because it will now
be voluntary act; because all the objects Cor
(which the embargo avowcd to be laid, have
been obtained. We have secured all the proper-
ty which was exposed, and we have iade such
use OF The measure in gotiaon was intended.
II persisted IL now J see not when tn government
can consistently abidon thcIeait,r As coercion,
elihcrupon France or England cannot believe
IN ats efficacy II affects their interests no doubt
but nations which sacrifice men by the hundred
thousand, AMI treasure by the hundred millions
IN war, tor nothing or worse than nothing pay
little attention 10 their real interests 1t is
said to have bceu the only or in the political
character OF John De Wit, that lac supposed
France and England would always act up
on measures according to their effect upon their in
terests. There can hc no greater error dian 10
proceed upon such calculations. Nine times out
OF ten you might more safely reverse the rule
ani conclude that il measure is clearly for The
interest OF the nation the government will reject it
am aware OF the powerful arguments which
are urged tor adhering firmly 10 the embargo
system, and am convinced il such should be the
hnal result it viii BE- decided with the best nten-
tons. My best wishes will be with YOU and a
disposition 10 make every allowance for tie diff
cuiies OF the choice, which | know 10 be Just and
necessary
With much respect, your friend, Sc.
JOHN g. ADAMS.
Hon, Washington