Virginia Argus — Richmond, Va., 1810-02-23 00:00:00, page 1

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=■- I -UM .Ui
«* SProm the Albany JN. Y.) Register.
MR. SAMMONS'S SPEECH.
^From a Correspondent at Washington.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 1810.
“ I enclose you Mr. Sammons’s
Speech, but not in purity. It has lost
some of its original strength by mis
take in the printer, who left out one
sheet. Mr. Sammons is the strong
est Whig we have in Congress.
The preceding letter inclosed us the
the Baltimore Whig containing the
speech of Mr. Sammons, and we
have since received the Whig of
January 29th, in which the omissi-'
on alluded to is supplied, and which
wc have incorporated in its proper
place. We once move congratulate
the citizens of Montgomery county
oh the possession of a representa
tive in our National Councila.who
has the wisdom to discern^ aifdf the
spirit to defend their rigbfs at all
hazards.
Mr. Sanflftons.—I rise with some,
diffidence, to’.‘speak; but the course
this debate has taken, makes it my in
dispensible duty to my constituents,
to give mv opinion. A member from
New-York (Mr. Gardenier] has ap
pealed t-o the members from that state
in particular, how tbev could recon
• i _ :. ... .1. r_:_i "___1
acighlvors, if they voted tor thoie re
v solutions now under consideration,
and invited a discussion. Although
I have not been in the habit of speak,
Ing in public, being called on in this pub
lic mafcnejr, I shall proceed to give the
reasons on which my opinion is made!
up. When that is done, I shaft^m?
"form my colleague who mv friends,
relatives, and neighbors were in the
revolution. This I will not do to gra
tify the gentleman from New-York ;
but such of my constituents as may
read his speeches and other 9pecche*
for three weeks past of two or three
hours at a time, least they should think
I had made up my opinion on theirs.
No, Mr. Speaker, not on their opinion,
nor their lengthy speeches, but on
something more substantial, on the do
cuments of the correspondence be
tween our govern ment and Great Bri„
tain, communicated to this house by
the President—on this information &-)
lone 1 judge. The correspondence is
plain »* it speaks for itself; every citizen
can read St judge for himself, & will be
mojf likely to form a correct opinion,
thawfrom the most eloquent speeches
delivered in this home. It would
therefore be superfluous to make much
explanation. Sir, I approbate the
conduct of the President in the dismis-j
sal of Mr. Jackson, inasmuch as a
most violent and outrageous insult
was offered to the honor and dignity
of the nation by Mr. Jackson, YVhut,
sir! shall we let the President stand
alone? No; he stands as President
of the United btates, and in that capa
city he is to perform the executive cu
*y, agreeably to the constitution and
laws of our government, and ns such
the nation ought to suppoit him. I
Jiopc the time has not arrived when a
foreign minister with insolence shall
charge th i! executive with a falsehood.
That was the true meaning his lan
guage—*ancl when he w »s requested to
desiKt, Ik* again insitted on it as n mat
ter oi fact. If the President had
Received nay farther communication
he would forever have lost my confi
dence, and I believe tr.at of the na.iou.
1 wdl rupp' rc the executive in every
just and lawful act tr» protect ih? Cun
stit.ufun, laws and independence ol
our lif.fttl republican government, at
present as a representative, a :d at any
time ns a rnihcW man, as 1 have do te
before, foreign enemy or
v.ic tWuon, II we are patriotic
j Americans, we had rather pn-t will
jour lives than our liberty, which ha
|been sccpiiretl by the blood of thou
1 sands of our follow-citizens in the re
volution.
Our business here, is -'o look to our
selves and interest ; to protect it, no*
to destroy it.—hear much talk a*
bout the gr^at Napoleon and thV suc
cess cf the French. Our business with
them in Fejflity, extends no farther than
to ma:rttai?f'onr national rights against
their enri'oach merit?, and whetoever
that subject shall lie acted on, I
shall act on * the same principle as
I do in r l.-tion to Englvtd; le
us dO one thing first, or else I fear
we sh dl do worse than notbrng. Is it
our business, or can we direct the
French in »heir relations with other
nations? The great Napoleon, as he
has often been termed in this house,
is in the pow* r of the O id of armies,
as an ex cr hammer i.i the hand of a
workman. Thus far and no farther
shall lie go. S:rv:e bis numerous ar
mies failed on the Island of St. Do
mingo, I have thought that he was
not destined for conquest in this quar
ter ol the world, if su'*h an attempt
should be made. We hear much of
our weakness, and it is insinuated that
this country would become an eay*|
prey to France. If we consider the
distance between the two fcouinri.-s,
we shall he convinced France could
not carry on a war with pvo-pect of suc
cess, but say gentleman, the English na
vi- stands a bar in the way between us Sc
France. I sav, If we give up our na
tional rights and independence to this
bar, (the English navy,) we have no
ting worth contcndingfor. I.1 we con
tend for liberty and give it up *o En
gland, France could hot take from uh
what wc did not pos«ess.
As th'i3 resolution is a matter of
difference between this government
and England. I shall confine myself
more to that subject. We hear re
peated again and again in debate, the
great power of the British navy j and
m»»ch said <if our mobility. to opp we
them. I differ in opinion with gen
tlemen on this point* I consider the
British to be in a most terrible situa
tion.—It has been the opinion of po
litical writers, that England could im
Ifcng support her government without
allies agai&st h.r powerful enemies.
She is nearly if not altogether exclu
ded fropn her European allies. I be
lieve her foreign ministers have nearly
all returned home except this Jackson,
and I wish in my heart he tv as out ol
our jurisdiction ; he does no good
here, but may do much harm. This
great nation with her navy, has got
enough to do at home to blockade her
enemies* ports—let her withdraw the
remnant of her armies from Holland,
Spain and Portugal, and watch a most
inveterate enemy which w.uld take
the first opportunity to attn k her at
home. 1 iwse remarks on the situati
on of Eo/land have been ex orttd
from me against my wish ; we have
nothing to do with the afT;ir> of other
nations, exetpt where they interfere
with us. Let us talk plain-—I say,
gentlemen in opposition have advoca
ted the cause ot England and degru
ded their own governn?«nt. Tlv-gen
tleman from JNicw York has said that
England did not encroach on the rights
and independence of the United 3'atcs,
or words to that elf ct. 1 had taken
it down, but I have lost ray notes—it
is no matter ; I have the substance in
my head. Atpain he says, you are go
ing to pass censure on the minister ol
a great arid powerful wlti<>» » But,
sir, whatrl ;es he me in udirn Me snvr,
when shall Engl *nd and we come to
gether again ! Uses he mean under
Hie old colonial government? [Ati
Gardericr wished to explain._M .
Sammons in i ted on the rules or the
, hous", and v s permitted to g>ou.j
I Shall u young lawyer, said hr, who
, spoke or demined the house about eight
[ hours, knows nothing about tue revo
llutioir, by which our liberties were ac
iquifed, anJ not much .about many
jtni.igv he mays.yin thin house, eu,”
oarra** tlm proceedings of congress by
| speaking ot forms, punctilios and n»a
I ny other ferxs I'.e may collect from his
j law books ? I’ iqueite is cd no conse
j qn -’iic to th ; nation, sir—I wish to act
j.>n the principle o! the matter, not the
iforra—the substance, not the ah.utow.
I am sent here by freemen who expect
|to be ..card, and 1 will 9f cak as a lice
•nan. I conceive the two nations have
never been together since the declara
tion of independence. Are not the
English warring on us l^.* plundering
our property on the high ictus, and im
pressing our seamen ! Must the Bri*
t tisli orders in cpunr.it through their
courts of admiralty, be Grading on Us in
all cases in our lawful commerce \yiib
other r ations ? It is not three years
since that shgmeful act committed on
the f rigate Chesapeake, where the A
-ncrtcans received a deep wound, their
blood was spilt in a cMvardlv manner ,*
when they expected they had met with
friend '-, they had their matches burn
ing. This shameful act, said the Brit
ish government, was not authorised ;
although done by the immediate com
ma M of one of their admirals (Berk
lev)—that the government wo ild ma*;e
suitable reparation. Mark the result—
the prisoners* taken were forced into
their serv ee and there retained, and
the British minister who made an ar
rangement on terms accepted by our
government, they say* was unauthori
sed ; and so say the opposition to this !
resolution. In :he dismissal of Mr. |
Jackson the president did an honora
ble act. and I believe every one who
considers it impartially by common
sense and the independent rights of the
nation will say so—In the arrangi
ment with I\ir Krskiie the president
committed a f ault : It war. to put too
much faith in cither toe government
or it3 creature the minister, or ii both.
I forgive him, because he acted tile
honest part ; he however was not cm
tious enough for deception. O.ir
government have always acted on the
pc'mciplea of justice "and right w*hh
England and all other foreign uovern
•r.ems, whilst they only tried to “embar
rass justice and invade our national'
rights.
Much has been said about tire mnn
n -r of uegociating ; it seems to be an
opinion of some gendeqaon that for
ign ministers must h:iv* instructions
- - - c.., »v
Docs n->t reason tcarh us otherwise ?
It might then as well co »c direct Inm
tlu\t government to cun, « thee* a"e
our terms”—there would be non go.
mating. Is there any gentleman who,1
vviih :i moment’s reflection, will lie
lieve that the British minister at Co
penhagen showed to the Danish gov -1
e- n.nenthn instructions, and the intern-:
tion of his government to surprise :
them, though in perfect peace ? Do
not we know that the British dinlo-i
macy i* a very material pavt or branch !
of their government by which thsyj
have had i- in their power to do more
mischief and bring more contusion &l
destruction on other governments,
than all their fleets and arrni-*s could
accomplish, when, ii they had tohl the j
trmh where they were received at for-'
eign governments, they could have
done very lit.le ir. iichief ? Is it not!
stated in the Annual Register as a!
fact, ihat the people in Vendee, de-|
partment ol France, received supplies ■
of powder and money from England,'
by which a most bloody civil war was '
carried on with the fh?n republic ol !
France ? Would ihat and similar acts *
have hastened the downfall of the j
French republic, and established a!
monarchy in its stead were not British !
diplomacy employed in almost every
put of Europe, I a-A if they have
brought peace where they have been
received of late years ? Iluve we »nv
I reason to believe that they would act
[more favorably towadra uh that other
j nations, if they could divide us, or is
j we were weak enough to confide in
dudr fidelity? Since we have the ex
amples of other div ided nations before
us, let us umie under the gov
ernment ol our choice, take into con
sideration the real situation of our
country with a full determination not
to yield our national rights. England
»tr»il soon give up her contemptuous
[policy towards us—France will be
[vOtnpelied to respect u- as a nr. 01.
1 «e gentleman from N. York r.pcnfcs
frequently of Washington—tlure is no
nan holds Washington’s name iu high
er veneration than I <!o, and never
suffered any censure on iiis character
c> pa-s before me in silence ; but, as
J much :ts 1 r -sj.ect!;.. farm , my n«iibn
jal libcriy and Isv’ -pendetice i corv-.rd
|er ol much more » n;> rt.v.tce. I have
seen \Vrnhi.igton—he appeared to he
but a naan ; of li.s rood qualities r.n
^one doubts—he is r.o Alter
ibis death hr left us a legacy—he left
{>*■• Oree people, an usd-p^ndcnt nnti
i on, which I for my part am determined
/ to support, and those who will hot,
v should not talk about Washington's
I principles for a cover of deception,
r At ah tvrnt3, says the gentleman, wc
should avoid a wary for we don't know
we C0ldd get another Washint^ou.
Sir, wc the people in genera!, knew bt
t!c or nothing about Washington’s
name when the troubles with England
first began. Have we no man to rely
on ? Is there net one c f the old reyo
lulior.arychncacters appointed co a high
station ;r. the militarv establishment—
, »oe defender of fort Stan vix or Schny
lltr, a man of genuine patriotism and
Undoubted confidence ?
*• I most again enjoin the duty of the
nat On on th:s ! o .si. lx> congress
the people look for protection—let us
not disappoint them—let us not. eat
toe people’s bread and live in luxury on
their money. • Lit us do one thing firs:
—that i3 mv war =s a farmer, and I
see it applies to this business also.
There is n> man more fjr peace,than
t am ; hut is there any other way to
obtain it than to be prepared for war,
with a prospect to carry it on, united
and determined as Americans ? Upon
no other single pomt will Great-Britain
do us justice. The times call for en
ergy—a middle course will no longer
do, I say, with others, if this resold
tioa w.-a not before us I would be sa
tisfied for the present to go on wi h o
tiier necessary business. But we ore
acting on it. Shall we then tell the
nation and the world that wc are divi
ded from the executive. The Pre
sident ha3 acted, and cannot retract
without* disgrace to himself and his
cou ’.try. In the summer’s session a
great deal was done.—Yes, air; we
| then united like honest men ; things
i went smoothly ; every party was eager
: tu he foremost to act for the general
: interest; My heart rejoiced to see
;thc liberality of southern gentlemen
► voting for generous appropriations j
there was nothiug appeared for selfish
views ; a great deal ol jealousy appear
ed to be done away. Every gentleman
I conversed with, tho* of different po
htics, aaid the president doe? well,
makes >o duTercucc in nominating to
cftice, and is not a party man, but will!
act lor the good of all. I hope I shall'
not come too closely on rao.ives of acv J
par’y. The people were so t.iken ir.
with the opening oftrr.de, that no par
ty could have got a party of the peo
plv*. I approbate the conduct of the
preaiden1, in as much as he ha* not
once charged the British govern
ment with the act cf their minis’er
Jackson. They may makepeace, if they
are willing to come to terms cf justice.
The olive branch is held outto them.
What choice v/ili they make ? I be
lieve a had choice. Every singh act
of that government seems to be°to em
barrass other nations, but turns out
move ruinous to % icms<dves. Will
she then provoke us to a war by cor.tJ;
nual encroachments on our mtiornw
rights, with unabating contempt, mb
sooner to hasten her own d -StrucapQ ?
We have nothing else to expectJh'.n*
less, indeed, England finds us pair
ed tor war, ready to act, and jfktey*
mined to defend our rights. If ihe
spirit ol the nation \va» aWjLkcne.l
it is possible they would li&ilntc.
It is in vain to ask for^ favors
-but, tell that government, you
I must do us justice ; if not, w* w.ll no
longer submit. Is not their Conduct
a mere mockery of it? Doe«j-j>o; j
Jackson talk plain? I am conJL to j
oiscoss and receive proposals. Mph >
i can can doubt him ? lie Jfad n dm her I
| object but to entangle n ^mharra is,
without directions to e'4i treaty.
. ti.l t.’iey farther s-.w v. h r g >ij■ pn I
•here audio Europe. ’is u’me d|vt
! we should, attend to b »s,in ,?s t>‘
| the nation, and p:t»s Mvvolution.
V\ hy should more he lost unite* I
, ccssarily. ^ I
1 ih.ill r.ow give a #>
my friends, relative - J
were in the revolut vi
a kind ol people at :■»!
Whigs —near tnein wry i
of people called Tor.t .
man (tJ::r:ienierj nr.w
die to oj'imon ; at ttf*
1 allude his >i,i r jj
mtt I belong c !
i
that they
"M s
A
i. ,Jm„, ", —-j.-,---;!
Britain; she was all powerful, i
would crush them ; but we did not be- fl
beve him—wc did refeist; in doing I
which, this arm was rh.ittered, (hold? J
tng <u,t hi3 right ar . ) and to resist her fl
again, I am rerfdy to us-* the other. I fl
iia*. e been particular to make ndistinc- i
tion of two kinds of people, because 1
they differed in principle, it so hap- *
pened that the whigs talked about li
berty—a number of them collected to
raise a liberty poic. Col. John ton*
then superintendant of Indian hflYiir,*
a very lucrative office, Sir; John }oiui- j
son, and many others of their connec- I
tionf attended at the place in order to '
embarrass and stop the progress of li.. i
htrty. I he whigs that were C .lL*cte(i t
wrre fanners, and ^could nut argue j
with these great mm, but were deter- 1
min-dio take part with their own coun
ty, not a foreign government Col.
Johnson address-d tile meeting, and
requested or rather commanded them
to desist and give up their visionary
projects. This did not satisfy the
wnigs, and, the spirit of liberty
spurred them on, they tould no longer
remain silent. One of them madti
some reply on the right of the Ameri
cans to oppose certain acts and impo
sitions of the British g »vernment.
Col. Johnson continued his discourse.
tV hat, says he, would these colonies
do—would they dare to go to war
with so great and powerful a nation
33 Rn gland ? 1 hey have no navy, and
are in no situation to build two ship* of
the line. A few »*egiment? of regulars,
with the faithful subjects (meaning
the tories) will march through any
part of the colonics. Your seaport*
w.ll be totahy destroyed, and we will
send tha Indians and Canadians cn
your backs. It will soon be over with
you, and your rebd leaders will be
hanged. J h -y did not ppeak of a war
withEngland as more terrible than we
now hear it tpokep of, nor did they,
sav one word of-the justice and rights
of tlit; people. A war soon comrt»enc~>
ed when thc^m/d the Uridsh, theia*
- ral pitroiis^^^re•deluded many honest,
people to g.» frith them, who afterwards
imbrued their hands in the blood of
tour neighbors, rrom the<.omtnenc<;
nicnt to the close of the war, the iki
tish, with their Indian allies and tor/
friends, did carry on a most terrible,
inhuman, predatory war with fire and
sword. Enormous, barbarities were in
dicted on my friends nr.d neighbors,
desolating our frontiers without regard
to age, sex -gr condition, with almost
a total lossy’pf property. Those ol ui
whom the fbr'une of war pu in iiieir
power, wconfined itipriop*, there fa
Uoguijifi;in irons, oi \vhiejs'ont-jpi my
nearest relatives partook q sh;i*e. In
such people I can say that I am not
afraid to return, wh n 1 sufppt i.t the
priutipies they once coivcr»H*d *ior,—*
AWthc same time I as 5 u f? :uy col
*:t gue, that I have no congrtieraticn^u
gp'ir.g my vote on this re^iuti .m or
aly other question to acquire p-rpul..
rry from any political party or mdgh
yoi s.
f i he difference between this Country
and England is a gre it national
controversy of principles, which 1ms
nothing to do with our p.'.rty dilhi
ences. liefore the revolution, ail the
most humble pti i ms setting f.rih the
right ol the Americans, laid before
the feet of the throne, could ga^ no re*
dress byt were treayfl with contempt
'—in a similar manner as our prts -at
remonstrances are now ijentc ! ; but
patriotic Americans then only enquir
ed what was right, what das jir.t, v.d
on rf matter ofjkrft p rinciple they met
their e ncitfy ;ffid there waft r.o con si*
deration qbout lcr.a'of property, but li
berty or c!ed»h ; with ar.ns an.l the uu
dftunie I *pit i» of freemen we persever
erl. V^s, sir, in the record of oik r -
volution you r.itf find that the brave
men v.linfulhiwif Washington, could
iv- tracedtho WofM of t' Vi It* -I o< sr
thc'liv /.e4 ground**.try, h otev. r,.! A
t<»)l cu.uA thin to; their own y<>\. • .
rtu nt, ii .tf r,()l:I/li ' Was tii r. ina;*
ac T 0,1. i Ep, live lMcfvc s ? j\ vj ;;v, i; is
,f ‘i h>! us t;> defend, and there ii*i,a
t ight in im to give it up;o Kugl.niU nu
c’.er any 4->>ncrtdcratia.i or pr-.
wiiMr \ cv, If* the c-iltmn oaths
, rfsve ad taken * ■••.do re our Ci uj to *m -
|iK>rl ° constitution and law* */v ucc.
:outp 11 d t » defend ir. We hfivo
[nothing Snon England ns n gift, lot
• Pt cvu ner by arms to acknowledge our
ta'eptHtdefuc ; and wi ate h. Uu /