The Enquirer

The Federalists have reproached our administration with submission to France.- Chiming in with the insinuations of Mr. Canning, they have asserted that Mr. Jefferson durst not take any steps towards conciliation with England, without having previously consulted the wishes of France. It is hence that our messengers have always touched at France before they proceeded to England.-But how completely do recent facts dissipate this illusion!-The federal prints are now the first to inform us, that it was not until "after the arrival of the Osage," that the Order "given to the Council of Prizes, not to proceed on American cases" was rescinded. It seems that soon after her arrival, "a counter order was given," and three vessels were immediately condemned. For once then, gentlemen, have the honesty to confess, that Mr. Jefferson has taken a high and independent ground as to France ; that his propositions to the French government, if he has made any, have fallen short of their wishes-and that instead of soothing them by submission, he has resisted all their demands.

We should not now be astonished to see these gentlemen reversing their attacks, & instead of charging Mr. J. with a submissive acquiescence in the mandates of the French Emperor, reproaching him with the exhibition of a high and inflexible spirit. Nothing suits these gentlemen. They lay Mr. Jefferson on their bed of Procrustes-"If too long, he is lopt—if too short, he is stretched." Hitherto it has been the cry of French Influence-but it would not be astonishing, if ere long they were to apply the same remarks to our French, as they have done to our British relations--that the administration wanted that "moderate share of good temper and address," which might have secured us from the operation of French decrees.