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Editorial
May 24, 1808
The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Editorial defends the embargo policy over immediate war, noting it saved $23 million in American property from capture after the Chesapeake incident. Criticizes complainers as ungrateful and warns of Britain's war preparations, citing John Quincy Adams' letter on inevitable conflict.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
EN PASSANT:
AS THE WIND BLOWS.
Many are now complaining of the embargo, who, if war had been commenced on the 22d June last, would be poor as beggars, who are now rich and secure—for example: a gentleman of great experience and information in states, that on the 22d June, the date of the attack on the Chesapeake, the amount of American property eastward of the Cape of Good Hope, was 28 millions of dollars.
By preferring embargo to war, to the amount of 23,000,000 dollars has since arrived safe in port, and the remaining 5,000,000 is hourly expected.
In this single item of political economy, suppose only half of the 28 millions had been captured by the enemy! How many who are now basely vilifying their country, and aiding its enemy by their perfidy and ingratitude, would have had their families in utter want—we know several of them—and the time is coming, when their base ingratitude will render it necessary to make them known, because persons so lost to national honor and justice now, are bad enough to be traitors in war:
Citizens who calculate upon peace, we fear deceive themselves by their wishes, rather than by reason. We wish them to keep in mind the following circumstance, and to expect by the 20th June, information of the highest interest; during the last session of Congress, Mr. John Q. Adams, one of our Senators in Congress, wrote to governor Sullivan as follows:
"From the tenor of Mr. Pinkney's communication, there can be no doubt but Great-Britain is determined, at all hazards, upon a war with the United States: Mr Pinkney's opinion is that our only reliance must be upon our own energies"
The sanction of both houses of Parliament to the British orders of council—and the numerous troops thrown into the British colonies in our neighborhood; taken together with the insurrections which the British are stirring up in Vermont, in Maine, among the Indians, and in our seaports, too plainly point out what we are to expect.....Ib.
AS THE WIND BLOWS.
Many are now complaining of the embargo, who, if war had been commenced on the 22d June last, would be poor as beggars, who are now rich and secure—for example: a gentleman of great experience and information in states, that on the 22d June, the date of the attack on the Chesapeake, the amount of American property eastward of the Cape of Good Hope, was 28 millions of dollars.
By preferring embargo to war, to the amount of 23,000,000 dollars has since arrived safe in port, and the remaining 5,000,000 is hourly expected.
In this single item of political economy, suppose only half of the 28 millions had been captured by the enemy! How many who are now basely vilifying their country, and aiding its enemy by their perfidy and ingratitude, would have had their families in utter want—we know several of them—and the time is coming, when their base ingratitude will render it necessary to make them known, because persons so lost to national honor and justice now, are bad enough to be traitors in war:
Citizens who calculate upon peace, we fear deceive themselves by their wishes, rather than by reason. We wish them to keep in mind the following circumstance, and to expect by the 20th June, information of the highest interest; during the last session of Congress, Mr. John Q. Adams, one of our Senators in Congress, wrote to governor Sullivan as follows:
"From the tenor of Mr. Pinkney's communication, there can be no doubt but Great-Britain is determined, at all hazards, upon a war with the United States: Mr Pinkney's opinion is that our only reliance must be upon our own energies"
The sanction of both houses of Parliament to the British orders of council—and the numerous troops thrown into the British colonies in our neighborhood; taken together with the insurrections which the British are stirring up in Vermont, in Maine, among the Indians, and in our seaports, too plainly point out what we are to expect.....Ib.
What sub-type of article is it?
War Or Peace
Foreign Affairs
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Embargo
Chesapeake Attack
American Property
British War Intentions
John Quincy Adams
National Honor
Insurrections
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. John Q. Adams
Governor Sullivan
Mr. Pinkney
Great Britain
Congress
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Embargo Against British Aggression
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Embargo, Warning Of War, Critical Of Complainers
Key Figures
Mr. John Q. Adams
Governor Sullivan
Mr. Pinkney
Great Britain
Congress
Key Arguments
Embargo Saved 23 Million Dollars In American Property From Capture After Chesapeake Attack
War On 22d June Would Have Left Many Now Rich As Beggars
Complainers Vilify Country And Aid Enemy Through Ingratitude
Britain Determined On War Per Pinkney's Communication
British Orders In Council, Troops, And Insurrections Signal Impending Conflict
Reliance Must Be On Own Energies