The enquirer — Richmond, Va., 1807-12-12 00:00:00, page 3

Mr. Rundoffih said, thift thisday h d"'*-*
cision on a point of order had taken place,
and been coniirmed by the House. Upon
looking back to the journals of a former Con
gress he hud found a precedent, where a
previous question had been taken, not only
on an amendment, but on an amendment to
an amendment. His object in rising at this
time was not to question the correctness of
the 0ec>ien of the chair, much less the mo
tives which induced that decision ; but itap
.peaifd to him that if this precedent had been
produced to the House previous to the con
firmation of the decision of the Speaker,
their vote would have been different. For
this reason, and to obviate difficulties which
daily .occurred, he should move that the.
clerk of the House be directed t<4 make a !
compilation from the journals for the use of
the House, of all decisions on points of order
which had taken place since the government j
■went into operation. Mr. R. introduced a :
resolution to that effect, which he wished to ;
lie on the table.
The House then adjourned till Monday!
morning. ' 1
THE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND, DECEMBER 1'J, 1807.
/ 7rginiii Legislature. ^
IIO US E OF D E I. E G A TE S,
Tuesday, December 8.
The following committees were appointed,
viz: - j
A committee for Courts of Justice,
of Propositions ix (Jrievances, |
of Privileges and Elections,
of Finance,
to examine the Clerk’s Office,
to examine the Executive ex- j
penriiture for the last year.
Tho Speaker laid before the home a letter
from the Govetmnr, accompanied bv sundry
document:; for the consideration of the Gene
ral Assembly; which letter and documents
were road and orcleiv l to >e printed.
A memorial was ['resented and read from
the Judges of the Court of Appeals, stating
certain inconveuieucies resulting from the
law relating to that Court, and praviug cer
tain alterations thereof bv the Legislature ; i
which was referred to the committee for
Courts of Justice. I
A petition w is presented and read fr >m
Jcrrnan Baker, of Cumberland comity,com
plaining of the undue election and return of
BhtkeB. Woodson, one of the Delegates re
turned to serve in this present General As
sembly for the said comity ; and praying that
the said Woodson’.; sent may be Vacated, and
the petitioner allowed to fake his place. Re
ferred to the committee of Privileges and
Elections.
A SKETCH.
On Thursday, Mr. CJhnls'.nM introduced the
Inflowing Resolutions into the H use o in cy.iita,
m ftli sever.il very appruphoc obscr. a iona ;
Afras/v.-./, 'I'ti,it the senators m Co n rcsj from
. ^ this «t..te ins instructed, and the. represents ives
there mi m requested to oaf their best endeavours
in pro Hiring the following amendments to the con
stitution of the United States, to wit;
Jst. .That tiie Judges of the Supreme, Dis
trict, and l ferior courts of the U. Sr ites
and their territories, in»v be removed from
oltice by tin* vote of the House of Hcpieser:
tatives laid, the Sciutead’ tlie United States in
Congress assembled :*vo-iii'ni.. of the n»em
beis present of each house concurring there
in. "'
2d. That the Senators in the Congress of the
U. States may he removed from oflice hv the
' >t -‘ «>t two-thirds of ail the members pivsc i.
oi t he.respective state legislatures, I y which
t '.k said JSciu.ioro have been or ui.lv be
Oui.lted.
Afr. Atirdaugh moved the postponement of
these.resolutions to the 31st of March.—He said
tli. t uie judges ought to be independent, ..s they
now are, ol K\e< olive patronage, o', the influence
of Congress, and wii -.t is oarticularly fatal to re
pubiics, of party spirit and faction. As the con
stltution now stands, they were above the frowns
oi' any body, they pursu ■ J the important oil’- . o:
interpreting the laws of their coir . hv their
ov/n nubia t.wl pidrm it ad ..re • ugto hr re.
:d .spirit of the laws. And what was tlie object of
tens motion ? This lx solution require , the same
number to remov a bulge .is the cor:.:luti.i:» de
mands in a ease oi inij.eachinent. IT. • only dif
ference in the two cases is, that a judge would
lieriCcforL'i hr l’cnimed by nu- o w iiiin or part v re
aentinent. for those very acts which cl • cl not Mootin'
to a suflieieVit Cause o. iwicocb.'i.ent. Of course
In. wo.dd be removed without a trial. Wind
would be the consequence of tliis si stem ? Sir :i|
t<i 1> -iii h be reduced in an ale. >iut * s'.iorof de
pendence ? When, said M-. M. an execute'c. of
t-! s i ■> litre nrocn s so completely toe confidence
' I ■ lies , .,
IniD idf h fi seen ; vIkv nc■ iLlic*• luiciits u6r even |
truth itself can protect Coturrcss from its un-1
lmu'ided influence , what res m e then has an 1
American citizen ; bit in tlie limines* >t the jti-i
dietary1—■■ , 3d re.-tolu oi was si'll move extra- !
ordinary, lie w r» I s-<1 to itiiiifc, that tlie pe
rio.l of a senato. s ;• . minim-nit was loo long;; j
but •<’-ltit.il vve te'-.-c: \ o’. <• eVtery principle « fj
comm in sense ? Sb. II ui.m who s put into of- J
**0‘, be liable to ex. ulsi’ni at the whim tnd'ca
price of every moo nil ? If tlie p riod of their !
office is too I »ng; I. it be re.bleed to shorter and i
stated period». li’it let Inin not be eterrudiv de- ]
P-u.hn. li.n i ib i fluctuating wave of party qirit. I
•\ i .t wnliii! be '.!:c* co ,*■. q.uiicc of this ii uovati-1
on ? R , seu.itor would . ", ev id cl aDy degree of i
opymiv in Ids st t on. Hi would be nmd>!e t ,
mature any of Ins pi ms with regularity or firm
ness. He oeeupie.i Ids post but for a moment.
I be new may behold him the victim of wuini and
c.qj.’.’cf..
At n ■ ... .
-■■•a. wuiii r * -.iii-i-ivci iinu tlie uhiHc ol p-.\v-'
«r was one of llit greatest evils tliul threatened
free governments. If Judges were to b invest- i
edwi'.b u!isolate ’tidcpetidcnce, \vc should have
angels* and r.ot men to preside on the bench. At
pi « m nt, the judges were superior to every thing.,
I He lion been taught that it was one of the sound-;
est maxims of repu! -heunism that the greater the
trust, the ^rc-itei' sn.-uld be the resjtonsibility.
Ihe doctrine 01 judie.ul independence had been
copied l. oin tlie Lr.tish const.tulion, but even un
der tliut government, h judge may he removed i»y
a bait nixjonLy o. both houses oi’ Parliament- is
the scowl of an cxc. iitiu so peculiarly dnngc
lous, a.j when itiu csecut'ivr power is in the hands
ot a inorrat cli ’ ami yet under ,he monarchy of
England, a .n . r m. y I <■ rein-., d by a b. .v ma
jor.ty. Is tne pviiR ,ple of tier right of amend
Du at t i he a m re nugatory pi ox neon of tile run
fct.tuf.on ? \» hi n ti., do, trine o» impeachment
p: ov - v , unavailing , when with all tin .ublletivs
ar.il kbyi:e.ties of l.,w an artful juilje sli.,1! be a
1 !c t > sin ; ' "Inii'^. il bei.ind the p.ine.pic tlflHhe
lo.s been g'ltLy o* no “ high c, mu s . itfl in «d •>
tn.fanoia shall no ether inode of,ic.-.pouMlvility
< oo,.cd * is Vie-vno othr disspiai.Hci.tifisbii’t
!■ gii i runes ,md im .ih ine;,ooi s ? in it ilo objecli
o to fi j'o[go, that he is sufH'r:>nnnxt. <■’?-—As to
tl obji'i t. « : iiig.'dbv thv. genii.-man last up,
,-t ‘Ri t.ng .‘•a’e-i :r>i4 <>i both houses, let tl,is rc
» \ it am be ..itciid. Let a b: re n.-jurity bv
i i ;> tent t « .. iMiiiovi.i. if tbs- n t U_r .le
• 1 », • i> it he siid, ti.vt U,.s dm nit>n v,-,i
'• !ii*tiU«-l (aonii ? lie li.ai hot.: i i;*rr.>\cA;;
I w -«.vu nrc-v-aV.v.i..„v,b i.a w-U-... |
▼
olr. anot < islppe>o\t**(li/» hearing'
«>«• wdcraf judintun* so ably and eloquently de
fended, as Ji had him. The question was bnpor
tai't, and a dificrcueo pf oj Liam w to have been
expi.Tti'd. Ji;;t in times of democracy he had
lieani the n*‘i vim ech■ >od, that voxp puli i*i vox iiei,
an<! _v ct arc the ju-JgCs compieailv independent of j
that voice. He thought it could he s\ llogistirallv !
pJO'cd, that their tenftre nl' office w..a. opposed!
to die principle of representation. Is it not a ,
fact, tliat there are now judges who are as oh- !
noxious to the people, ast'uy are hostile U>repuh
liestn principle* ? and yet these men could not he ’
dispossessed of their .power, except on their he-!
ingronvicieil of .onu art, which in common law j
wouid amount to a felony or inisdemeiui.ir._Have •
wc descended Go.!* t«> preside on the bench of
just.ee ? When judges once mount into oftice & I
they should be guilty of what lie would call mal- j
tea ayces, he tliought that there should be some I
power to remove them, without travelling through •
t ic ilia/e* ol technical law ? Must they previ- ]
oi.slv commit a liurqlary ? Is tliis an innovation j
whuh mav iiyure the people themselves> They ;
"*■! .'*• Patiently, because it is an act of their
•nil) vola:on—Hitt why attack this measqrc so
r a maturely ? Are there no precedents to be
found lor it in this or any other -country ? In the
Lugiiah constitutioii, that boasted monument of i
hum m invention, th it never-ending theme of fe- i
dend oulogium, the tenure of the judicial depart- I
ment is nnu'i -lighter than tlm - 'solution pixipos- !
e->. A bare majority ii sufficient to remove ; but
■”>' 1,1 » resolution, £-3ds arc required. Are wc
to pte.umie tout tile re will he such corruption in !
k-3«.sef Congress, as that they will remove with- i
0)11 adequate cause ? If the gentleman from Nor-'
ioU would examine the state constitutions, he
would find that at least in one half of them tins'
tenuu- prevails, a;ul yet it is not found productive'
or any deieio:ions conseiiiiences.
j>ir. smith (oi k ng A. Queen) did not intend |
to expatiate .u laige on this subject ; nor to offer 1
a n.siv, an. I scanty glance of its numerous features. !
Ho. ie only to express his astonishment ut the
■ Wu»t«.v ..s now pursued. His worthy friend
mmi Aotfulk had moved for an indefinite post
pone meat of the question. If a petition For a road
ora bridge he presented to this hor.se, it is not
1 it*, custom to oppose it on tiie threshold. Even
''['*■“■ "'**> oppose its objects, choose to refer it.
.’ i II then a proposition on winch this house can
1,0L dciilier tt too taucJi, be aton-r. rejected with
out a hearing ? Does the gentleman believe, tliat I
o.n- constiiuuon came so perfect from the hands of j
n . makers tliat it needs no amendment; or that i
it has struck its roots so deeply, as that we cannot
examine it, without shaking 'tiie xvhole edifice ?
i nai we must uniformly approach it with pious
a\»e aiuI treinhhug solicitude ?—Oil tiiese resold
tons, Mr. S. said, he would offer but one or two
gv iriMi 'viu-.i ks. As to the 1st resolution, he main
tain, d it to he a great maxim, belonging to re
pnbites, that tiie prim- pies of representation and
la so:>usd)ilily .should lie held sacred. It was his
opm.-jn, tiiai for those petty private vices, wide It
<4t>n:ii amount to -high crime or a misdemeanor,
bin which sully t ie (unity of the Ermine, a judge
sno old always lie held responsible. As to the 2*1
resolution ; Mr. S. trusted that the great princi
ple u: responsibility should also apply to tiie Se
ll1.Le of the U. S. He hoped with tiie immortal
author or the letteis of Curtins, that “ the ma
jesty of that assembly (would never be) polluted
b_. me via* feet «.f the swinish multitude.”
j./k. Smith (ot Wythe) did not expect that ti is
motion would he made, when a uisfe-nt tlay was
a:.out to i.c appointed for the discussion of the
qu -t:on. Was this fair and proper ? Was it the
iis-i. i and reguiaj course of proceeding ? The
gentleman does not see that bis own com sc
delta is ids purpose. If the se resolutions be this
day postponed, may not Olliers ot a s. mi tar spirit,
P« rlti.ps tiie resolution ot tiie gentleman from
lle.ir c < i Mr. r a>shee) be hereafter introduced ?
Ccrta'i.iy tins gre .t question should not he has
tiiy dismissed. fie would offer but a few to
il arks on each oi the resolutions.—i: follows from
toe present constitution, that a jtr.lge cannot he
ii.suussuil, however monstrous may behisopini
ons ; lor these do not amount to a* high crime or
-misdemeanor. It seemed to him, that a judge’s
ornmo.'.a may lie so hostile to the liberties'of Uiis
eounuv as la requite his remoral. ile may* inaiu
i.iiu, for instance, that the bloody code of the.
Common Li. w is in three in this country. He may
maintain ihuttue civil law is in force. He may
maintain that the treaty ot peace having been vio
ta'.cii i > vo.d, and tliat tiie part wnich recognizes
: n .s no longer any existence._
i he j udges contend, that they havlu right to cle- j
acts oi the Legislature to be uuconsti- ,
lUlioiiai, and therefore void. Sludl tins doctrine
be sc .ninth, tub, us? Is it better that two or
uu ee judges, or the Congress of the U. S. shall
-recidi u 1 tiie meaning of doubtful clauses in tiie
-oiist.tution :—I uey have decided, with respect
ui tne (-Attentive, that tiie presidential cabinet n.av
ii. broi.cn upon :,t their bidding, and that inferior
officers are to be Guide to tnem, tinougii the pro
ce;,s e! ni i.idnm.i,;, for an oLedience to the or
ders. ot their superiors, They hav e decided, that
.lie orders of the President -If tiie U. S. do not
justify tiie acts o; military officers acting ist con
Un-iiM.y'tiiciv.o, and theivby «wea)te*i tiie prutci
|';rs m •. •bird::;: .son. The purport of this re-,
s-liiti -ii i• i ii the - dges should lie removable
• u ~-o>ls o; both ol (Johgre :s. liiLii,r
i.oid, a nujijii y of boui houa. s or parliament ni.iy
H-.Lir.-»s tne throne for their removal ; said jc-t iii
tin.t country there crisis nut as much compliant
ag.uiist tiie judges ..s there does in our own._I
1 nr amendment proposed b, another State to
cmp'HJtrt/taJ rcji.leiit on Uie vote oi both houses vi.
to;efhr,ve Uj.idgc, Mr. S. disapproved, 'l tie Presi
d u s >ni !-i.o e n < power on me subject. He
o-i;;..t Uoi, u be si'nle to remove or p.o.ect a judge
no ;er;nv e,.v uns. mces. Tim grant of such apovv
c« would s.ibjerti judge to L.vccurivc influence,
l ie.: JXpi.‘sc,unlives iif me people ni Coiigre.su
ought uloUc ,o possess this power. As to the
second resolution ; has not every mail a ri, la
tni, power of ..tlo.ncy when he finds tiie
aut! -a -y Vo uc abused. U.igiit not a state go
vCft‘,,111 *il to possess the same i Shall a sciint ir
lie eiiou-ii to ii.ild h.s office lor G years although
tiie state go.ej'iin c it believes he is be Having
them during -c i.iue ? is ,t not more projic.
timt tne al.ite K^d>iu i c hl.o ii<i jkK/c u ri^iit to
ivittidr^w lii«n Uiv.:i fh^t a m. j n ly of the Senate
ci the L . .S. shouid U*ve jinwei* to c\4)el him ?
1 ;iey aiv u» cxc/ciu this verv jiriviltt£\* , t
tins moment. On,-, t'.ic I.eg sia.u.e oi Ohio to b.
• lisgruct-d i«>rye..isby » ic.i a refrrrsenutit . as
Mu. Smith, whom every candid man in t„c Li. S.!
hei.v vc.svo la a Union ?
Mr. Blake srid that iie should call for the Ayes
andNoeti on tin-; question.
Air. M o .iUHfja e.vp.v sed himself sorry to nee,
tin t «n n.is important question, lie wu* the only'
in it.rje. out stood on ti*at liuor to snpjiort the
< mi*.- *>i Truth ; hut he should not shrink from
his (inly.— .1 h.»d been said, that he liad aWernot
e»i to sli angle discussion. To six n cli. iges he'
siiould atwu; sic.n ,i deaf Eur,and should jai. no
so; i of a spect to them If this had not been a
question so peculiarly affecting the vitals oi our
UepuiiiiC, a:< to li.e.r heroine tile subject ot’uni
tta .1 (Iimiusjo'.i, be 5iiOu)d feel lio hcuilaoon iii
witod ..wir.g his motion. But be prcsuniedih.it
th. r w.u.Hr.m ill tin t House, who had no.
ala ad. made up his inxxl.—He had been cl.nry i
e;l W.lh suf (.e;t ng, liie supremacy of ihr judici
ary. Hcli. I uttered no sentiment ofthat hind,’
andth . is Mould I/ear him out in that conclu-:
sion. Thejudge* arc not sop-t rue. Tie judges
arc iv thing but tne interpret .lion oi t :ej.,w.
1M1 11 i.. \» rung, iv-; it he « orrected, hut d n >t
for to.:* r jl ill u-d; cc the ill'I, estoa S'ate of Sla.
v ’)• '■'■h" ' Ck'.U man has ii. ov g c; t pi ofeusinus
o' i ;vjbl.cauisni, anti lias quoted the cwlel/i'.iu d
in 4>( x />/;.« tret vex Jei. He too adniiid
ti; l o>. \)i ». 11 c had wdowed n through life,
•“* v- ‘;; iv aoa1.i4.1r.ed it, niig-ut God abandon
I uo ! hut he could not see why for ever, little
«.h~l •<yaui -ti f.VBi any (
*.i«* people should i>e-jorrver ciirr.i*mg..rl -
gettiienun in-a turned to Lu;,Iard. tip ko.« t r •
li-tvc tainted to jutjr country, (s’ d ?.>:. A u . < h
could operate mure fortunately (hr .-. ..s ' •: >.■,
can..e. I would tum to that coo , . o' i . e.»o
I would employ ite institutions as ev .1. loi 1I10
to imitate hut as so many beacoi • a dot*
gcr. Has not tin- gcntlcim.it found r e ;.:s
In former times, when lie saw the . •... L'cfich
Kitten ami corrupted ami di . •
with a prodigal hand ! But what .s si', v.j.i
ol Enj'umd now, w hen tlic tenure 01' .. judg’ *s
so much inoiv eligible ? Look . . . I ,«t ‘lo tears
of her judicial administration ! Have w ■ not Seen
her coiuis trampling upon patriot sm :.;.d yet..ms,
and grinding the feelings of the pe »;.:e - ii.a; ?
Iloea tlse gentleman wish lo reduce 01.r ow:i ;.i
dicisry to th:s situation 1—The g>_n>l •..ia,‘. ijom
Wythe (Mf. S.) lias said, tliat scvei... d av ..os
principle * may be recognised by ilia bou-l -n-i
lias t.vken us an instance the adoption of the bi >0
dy code ol the Common Law. Ho ; ,-k*, sh d
there he no redress ? There it a redress. Let
congress declare that it is not in force in Jus
country and the remedy at once ex's
1 he question was then taken 011 t a: postpone
ment till the Jlst of Match andlom. /vvcsj.j.
Noes 141.
u ■was tlien* referred to a comi uttcc of the
whole house on Monday the 21st jo..
Mr. ‘Smyth (of Wvthe) begged leave to call
tiie attention of the House to a subject o» im
portance. It appe .red to him that tiie int'c.r
mal war which already existed! etween this
country and O. B. most very sor,i ^become a
war .in form. We have been informed ov the
public prints that the British court have de
clared that if tiie non-importation act goes in
to operation, it will be considered by that
as*. a declaration of war on cur part
t lus information appears to be credited by
the members of C ongress. A gentleman lias
said on the floor of the house of Represen
tatives that the British nation has said to us,
“ y°u persist in this law, we consider it a dc
“ claration of war.” May we r ot therefore
(said Mr.S.) presume that the British cruis
ers on our coast have provisional instructions
to seize our vessels, if the law in question is
not repealed or suspended'1 Congress wi'l
not and ought not to do either. We may
therefore expect open war to commence im
mediately after Monday next. Under these
circumstances ought we to remain inactive,
and rely for the protection of this state en
tiiclv on the government of the U. S.or ought
we to add to the means Congress may pro
vide, others in our jxnver, togiveto this state
still greater security ? It appeared to him
that tiie state legislatures were at liberty, af
ter the general government have madc’such
provision for tiie defence of a state as might
seem leasonuble, to make farther provision
for the same object. The constitution of the
IT. S. says, “ no state shall without thecon
“ sent of Congress, keep troops, or ships of
“ ,war in time of peace." The practice of
this state agrees with the principles contend
ed, for. Several companies were formerly
raised, and kept in the pay of this state, for
tiie protection of the w estern frontier. The
general government bo"e such part of the ex
pence as seemed reasonable, and this state
defrayed the balance. It appeal's (Mr. S.
said) that the general government contem
plate to provide 60 gun-boats for the protec
tion of the harbour of Norfolk, and this mav
be a reasonable proportion of the me ins of
defence they are about to provide. Butjftliis
house think it insufficient, let us add to it so
as to make it ample. He moved tint the
house come to the following resolution.
Jiesolved, That a committee be appointed
to enquire whether any, and what provision
is necessary to be made for the defence of the
eastern frontier of this commonwealth, in ad
dition to the provision, for tint purpose’, made
by the government of the United States: &
that they be authorized to report bv bill or
otherwise.
1 ills resolution was agreed to, and was re
ferred to a select committee, composed of
Messrs. Smith (Wythe), Murdaugh, Ho’t
Haytop, Foushec, Riddick, B. Harrison (p]
George), Mercer and Semple.
'Phe legislature will proceed this day bv
joint ballot of both houses, to the election of
a privy counsellor of state, in the room of Lew
is IIar\ ie losq, deed, and of a brigadier-gen
eral, in the voom of Gen. White, whose're
signation was announced on Thursday.
LETTER THE SECOND.
To JOHN RANDOLPH., Esq.
MEMBER OF THE U. OF RE PE SL S t.l t/ VES.
Si k—It is not my intention to expatiate
on all the various sophisms, which have dis
graced the speeches you have pronounced,
or the anonymous essays that you have pub
lished, respecting our relation's with Giv.,1
Uritain. The value of the spoil would scarce
ly compensate for the labours of the chace.
All your speeches are amusing, but thee are
not sufficiently argumentative. T.icivis too
much wit, and too little wisdt m. There is
too much passion, and too liitle reason in
tliein. And permit me to observe, Sir, that
were they somewhat shorn of the flowers of
their eloquence, and gifted with more argu
ment, and less apology for your not havui/
more maturely deliberated on your t.ilqeo:,
they would present a much m ro im.tr«icuvJ
discussion for your hearer, and a much more
consistent and argumentative phci for the u
boursof a commentator.—But ft is not on 1 iy
own account alone, that 1 must wave the inves
tigation of all your opinions on this subject.
'She public are already disgusted with <i's
cussions, which breathed nothing but the
spirit of dec’amation and discord.
It is my intention, sir, to confine my re
marks to the present crisis of our aluirs, ai d
to show in what manner tit >t crisis mv
have been affected by the | olicy you have
embraced.—I shall attempt to lit'.noiu trate,
that your style of observatioi s vv,: . calcula
ted to raise the tone of Gr< it Britain, ;>n.I
to dispirit the energies of ycur own country.
—That your conduct was calculated to pro
duce the same effect, by exciting nn idea aiid
expectation of division—Sc tlrai the present
crisis of our affairs is not fairly to be attribu
ted to the conduct pursued by congress and
the administration.
My hrst remarks relate to the rtule in
which you have spoken of the comparative
resources of Great Britain at d tne U. otues ;
or, what constitutes the 1st j oint in yttur cele
brated speech of the 5th of AI irch 11:<J6 ; “ bur
ability to contend with Great UritdM Gr the
question in dispute.”
A disinterested patriot, sir, would never
consent to depreciate the rcsoi’jtiufi and re
sources of his own country. '1 he heroism
which dwells in his own he sum woalu never
suffer him to cowfcr at theme nnces or submit
to the usurpations of any nation mi the uni
verse. He would reluctantly ixt'icvc that the
spirits of his own countrjmen were not i.s
firm and unyielding as those of the enemy
If they were fcooped up within a small and
scanty soil, he would proudly ret •>'iect tin
example of the mountaineers of S vii/,erla». .,
whose union and valor haw supp.ie.: tUc pmec
*~r iv.’ii 1 '*f*' I* *;>rv r i r; Von*';* •mhI ri'hig i
iiitthm, vf,.o hi-1 >j .; t pirrioud.- ittEfhi .uux: j
*,'*■ ’T1* r v' *v Vlt l the c'U.oii <h.i.n:t in
fl.» v iad-g en deuce,' he v .Kild notciuMlcscCnd
t'» i L'lietit tb< t their: w .r.s wcicdimiuislicii
1 / their | rosperity ; that, their valor '.viis chill
ed bv tlu 1 icssiiijj^iwhiclutl ad procured them. •
or that trieir attachment to liberty would I
ever su ter them to crouch beneath.the new !
outrage j of their ancient t> rants.
He wt ild net attempt, as • i have done,
sir, to I’.i pint the energies of his ow n <v.*un
try, b- |rawing h contemptuous picture of
her ft s Lrces. Whatever are his real sen
tiinems^a pious sou would sometime s hesitate
for one iiiomem, ere he rudelv and unui ces-J
surly < f poses the weakness and frailties of I
Ins pui\.p.t. i I.- would not labour, us \ t>u litre j
dune, t pi ' c me spirit of ins country uk n, bv :
a most exaggerated picture c»f the resources!
<■ 1 the efcetny. He would disd .in, l:ir, to u- I
nimale the eager avarice of Great-Britain,!
hv.exhdiitingtiic means and resolution of the
people of the United States t > the contempt
of Europe. But if warseemed ini vitabie, he
would have roused ail the energies and re
.s'.orces ot !iis count!*)’ to resist nie* common
enemy. If the war was to he only nv< rie<l 1
by negociation, he would scarcely" have at- !
tempted to jjcrsuacle the er.cv.iv, that we
vyc e v. cak enough .to submit to any diploma- !
tic concessions, rather than to defy tliethnn- !
tiers of her power.
not JMigpncla siitnc:cnt stock of mini
stcrs already, that you sir, must enlist vour
iclt among th itrespectablenumber? Were
you rpprchensive that her supply of mi.-rra
bie sophisms was nearly exhausted, that
vou must sea l fresh cargo across the . uiaii
tic? Did you blush to see the Himsiness of
the pretences, wi.h which she covers her en
croachments upon our commerce, that yon
have thus attempted to strengthen their tex
ture by the tinsel declamations cf t our elo
quence i Depend upon it, sir. the people of
this country are much less indebted u* your
exertions than the venal ministers of Great
Britain, ltistptiicm, and to them only, that
voum.ist apply, for your reward. You must
expect to reap your laurels in some other so’ !, !
than in the honest and patriotic bosoms of I
your countrymen. You must seek them in
the praises and puians of British writers ami
corrupt ministers. And indeed it must he
confessed, you have already gleaned a very
plentiful harvest, from the fulsome praises
ot the author of “ War in Disguise,” which
according to your own words, “ .s said to have
been written under the eye of the British
prime minister.” F.njoy this recompcnce, sir,
without any uneasiness, for I pvesu.ne tltat
there is none of your fellow-citizens who will
en vy you the iull possession of them.
It is ifU]K>ssible for you to dispute the truth
of these statements. They are indelibly re
corded in the speeches that you have deliver
ed before Congress on the ath eceiii of March
lh'U6. It is impossible perhaps to extract a
clear and luminous argufuent from the “ ct tide
and desultory observations,” which you then
delivered ; but I defy even your ingenuity to
conceal the general spirit which pervades
them or the force of some particular expres
sions.
i oa wiii not neiiy, that you have attempt
e:l to spirit up Great Britain against the U. S
hy ridiculously persuading her that we had
already submitted to the insults and aggre.isi
ons ot Spain * You have declared, that “G.
Britain will say the American people have
gn at cause of dissatisfaction with Spain ; that
she will see that we have not repelled the
Spanish outrages, nor mu,;* ant addition to
our array, and navy, nor even classed the mi
Ltia,” And you contemptuously ad; whether
' “ at cr ahrinicing from the Spanish jack-all,
(we can) presume to bully the Briti.m lion.”
i bo delighted are you in lavishing abuses a
! gainst rhe administration of your country,
that you do not hesitate to consider cue ut
i tempt to purchase a territory, when it cannot
be obtained by t xchange, as a “shrinking from
j the Spanish jack-alh’’ You do not even iicsi
I tate to pronounce this language in the face of
i the woild, as if you were anxious to invite
.the ferocity o: tlie British lion by curious!y
. describing the cowardice of his prey.
, Have you not, Sir, too much exaggerated
the powers of this ferocious monster ? Your
imagination seems to have been so much
struck with awe and wonder at the novelty of
the spectacle, that you have not approached
near enough to measure tlie length of hi*
fangs or the dimensions of his limbs. Your
argument on this point is distinguished by the
! mi X contempt line sophisms. You presup
! pose in all your speeches, that a* the war
originates in some contested isgat of the sea,
so the tea must be the only theatre of its c.\
t c is ions. \ ou say ; "1 tviil never concent to
go to war, for tliat which I can net protect. I
! deem it no sacrifice o: dignity to suv to t!ie
[ Leviathan ot the dec])—we are unable to
.contend with you on your own element, hut
it you come within our actual limits, we will
shed the iuat drop fit blood in iis <ic cnce. ’—
I *‘YV imt? ,*>ii ill this gicat Mam noth c*f the
! American forest leave his native element
and plunge into tlie water in a mad contest
with die shark? Let him lie ware, that Ids
pn»n iscis is not bitten oil in the engagement.”
“ Gentlemen-say, will'you not protect your
violated rights?' 1 i wity take to wa
ter, nlr.it yo.i can neUlU’i* lira. ■. .rswim :
And ihcn moulding on thi3 visionary cloud
whir!) j o , have cui.ecied, you hurled all the
maritime thunder* of Gicat-Brivain against
all the resources of this country. You threat
ened Congress with u perlc. t War of ex
termination. You instilling y declare that
“the moinent slie lets slip uic dogs of war,
sin- sweeps (us) at a •»!<».', from the ocean.”
You stem toiiavu forgotten, Sir, that your
c uintry nlso po»;*e sed some little power, and
that Great Britain had a few vulner ih»fe
poir.is in her crop,re. You completely mis
take t’ne extent of the British navy or the
i «Aure of the British trade, when you assert
th >t tlie latter would no longer furnish any
| booty to our numerous private; rs, on account
1 of the convoys that it would rcce'ne from the
| lornier. You display die most profound ig
norance of j olitical (economy, when you
threaten us with an inundation of British
manufactures during the war, through the
oircuitou-i trade of iv.st ilia ov Sit. Thomas’s,
is it tl»* immense cxpeiiccs of smuggling and
insurance wmiV not comparative!/ reduce
iheir coiisump'ioii aimo . to nothing. Hut
wliHt s‘i.1 more surprises me, is, that you
should have shut your eyes against the udvun
tages h nciptit ing the Bviiisii territories on
tlrsC'intiritct.
ion hooted at tuc idea of conquering Cana
da and Nov a-Scotia. " It it you li*' e not only a
prospect of gathering p i >v., (say you taunt
ingly to C'n'ijjiv^s) ami wti it ■ corns to the gen
tleman from Massachusetts, much tieu.er,
profit, by pviv alter ing. but you will be ahlr to
•nttkr a eanyr » <f i\,nnda and .. >i a-Scotia.
Indetd ? t In n, mr, tee nhall cuich a 'i'ar
<Vr. 1 confess, however. 1 have no desire to
»<:e tiit tnomtors amt tteprcM-ntotivcs of the
Canadian French, nrthctcrien and refugees
** iNoVa m.tiiig Ou tills ilti rur tiiulef
• f'rrttottst*. * Y. - ** uu even to' »ve for*
f0.'-5' ' t.'ccp.ov. io.-, might- j1;n . bee a
i »**'t wuu a view to them incovpjya
ioi* into olir ». htt.ii of govenment, but as
’j.eeyes to.be n ■ ■ Most i future paeiti
.art-41 uiiti^ we iiuu oi;tu nc;l ample redress
ior n.ir wrongs.”
Yy lien re comes it, Sir, that ’bis plain sug
gestion of pvi;;. should ' > lm;; 1»H' c escaped
, our not ce t Are *\e to att»*ipui.e it to the imr
|)etu<.:,i’.y ••! your temper, whi- ii seldom takes
a ceinpvcliensive view of auv subject, or to
yoor anxiety at tli t moment to represent G.
L»i itain as e'ery thing, and your country as 'J
nothing ? \\ liy this paloable inconsistence J
on the "Wiliest stroke of fieljcv ? In the win- 1
uto| i, C'i (*. \ ■ t r: iiculed tlie idea oi'seix- 4
M g Canada and Kcm-So*H:h. In 1807, yoa 1
do.cud the veiy sur.ie measure., because io fl
umcurcs‘‘pledges to U retained against a 1
fatme pacification ' In lf-05—d, \chi laugh,
at the idea of conquering Canada and Movn
Scctia. And now you are not only for coii
qm-i mg these pi-winces, bnt von are for mak- ‘
inga descent on the inland of .I.-mtahvi. You
Si»-, u no have i« en sotremblinglv al»vc to the
dangers of the British titter ; vou, wht>
have been exhort; g” iris great Mammoth
m tire American • orest” never, to “ leave
his native element u»d plunge Into the water
m u neitl cont-fit with the Shark ;” you are
t ie ver- persoq, who are now precipitating
him into the very jaw s „f his enemy. It has
comp eutiv escaped vour memory, that 20 or
. 0 'hips uf t »e hnc generally encomDP.ss nil
deiernl that valuable island.' Have you also
tin) dismissed your apprehension, that his
pr< hose is may be bitten off in tha engage
ment r
..•.'hen you arc si compleatly inconsistent
" 1 yonrsi-lf, it can scare!,• be exjiccted that
vcu should be consistent with the interests
of-our country. Nor is it. sir, a very bold
Supposition, that thep litiriin, who lias been
t ins ir.cr nsistent with hiniseil'in one instance,
yi.ikl sometimes depart from his old vvhig
gis i principles. Profit by this example, sir.
i lie next time when you are disposed to call
.iu- 'oi l best and eldest iriends of this coun
try either apostates or impostors,, I beseech
v ou not to forget ttiu occasional v ariations ot
on’ own political needle. ,
I oi niit me, sir, to remind von of another
mstmee oi this strange inconsistency in your
jv-c.mgs and policy. The world will not short
ly forget the contemptuous style, in which,
diirwgtne winter of 1 f~03>-G you spoke of the
niOTcenar'- principles of the mercantile class.
. v as sufficiently obvious, th it you then con
Mccred merchants as destitute of public
siu’-it. and bv no means entitled to lift their
voices m opposition t > the standing interests
ji-t our respectable yeomanry. Vi hr idea was
. n t perhaps destitute of truth : for it is a me
■ lu.holy fact.^ that whilst lhe'connpt voice of
the towns uniformly reaches the government,
because it is.so susceptible of concentration,
> ie purer spirit of the country is scarcely c
vm-collected, bee'.use it is so much lost bv
<.ihumoii. \\ hence conies it to pass, that
yj'“f iangtiage on tills subject is s.» curiously
cl'.cinged * Now you are heard to declare, that
t ie merchants are no: more entitled to atten
tmn than the farmers—but not ie*a.—But, sir,
the key or this mysterious cypher is now iu
the hands of every one. When you looked
‘ij'on the fmere mtflo interest as conflict
mg with your favorite principles of non
resistance to. Great Britain, you abjured
•and abused it. But now, sir, when the
merchants of Philadelphia are presenting
i msgracefci memorial to congress for ve
• i < .ding the Non-Importation act, your secret
1 •Ctlon ^or ,^t'r °^>ject robs v.our temper
ot all its asperity against the petitioners.
impossible for my ingenuity, hir, tore
concile these glaring ir.consibtencies with
an-., fixed standard ot political principle or
witii an« exclusive, undivided regard to th©
sound interests of vour country: J
PHOCION.
, h Acr —-The last night’s mail brings Lon
don ami Liverpool dates to the 19th Oct. via.
vdiarlcstnn in these is the King’s proclama
mution ‘ For recal ling and prohibiting seamen
Iron serving foreign princes and states.’
i he first paragraph is the preamble.
I he 2nd reqiures ‘ natural bc.m subjects’’,
j m foreign service, to return ‘ to tlieir bound
en duty aiul allegience.’
lie ord authorises all commissioned ves
st-.s to stop and seize upon such seamen as,
arc omp'o. e;l in it foreign merchant vessel.
i he 4th requires B. ships of war to de
mi.ukI such seamen, if they are employed in
Mrcigri ships of war; and in case of refusal,
application is to lie made to the government;
to wmeh such foreign ship belongs, tor re
dress.
I he Jth vacates the right of naturalization
m other States, and declares that all rhose,
who condone in service in contempt of this
proclamation, are liable to be proceeded a
gainst for such contempt.
i’he 6th declares all such subjects as vo
! luntarily enter on board of foreign ships of
i war to lie guilty of l: igh frranotr. '
oi i)4*i »tv vn^t cunt)
byprm.tea.de. KOBERT GORDON,
| . JAMES CURRIE.
I Richmond Dcr. ip, [2t-3
1 O EN 1 LE ? f SL.lVJiS.—15y virtue of a deed
*<J of tins' cttriiUil to tli** subscriber, by Wil
b'un Laurence, iu Ins I if,' tune, and admitted to
record in the General Court, at the June term,
1B»M, to secure the payment <>!' a sum of money
! the . n n.< titioncd, due to W.lliain Fenwick, will
positively V sold, r.t Louisa court-house, on the
11th day of Jan tary next, being Louisa court day,
seventeen valuable S/..IVJ'.. S’.—Ant eng them are
•tevr,"al home S. rvani s, a very good Ssiot maker,
It-'Jfttlarly bred to the business, a good Seamstress
and a good Hostler.—\t.sn, six Beds and Fur
niture, four Horses, thirty II >g*,i.ndtwenty head
of Cattle.— iJv the consent of Mr. Fenwick, at
tli * ye»|uest of the Adm'r. of the dec'd. a credit
of *i\ mouth* will be. given to the purchasers of
th< Negroes, upon tfcieir i xecuth g bonds to tho
odMC-'iber w tii good vicuri'.y, and like wise giving
him a L ed d'tru .t on the Negro or Negroes pur
chased, and on real property lose* ure tiie puns
tilal payment of the money when it lie comes due ;
tin' other property will be soid for ready money.
The subscriber will convey bis title as trustee,
which !ij believes Vo be indisputable.
DAViD BUI.T.OCK.
December 12. [lawtds-3
Hr UK STtiCKHOJ.DERS'vi tlu Bvxk of
A- Virginia aic hereby noiifli *1, tn..t *J*i Gt
wrrtl A/.;G . f>i’ tin- purpose of electing Direc
tor* of tin- Bank fii.l tli*! idlvnil department* for
' e ensi.Irjf rear, wiU i>.* belli on Monday U14
fill u;.y ol January next.
JOHN BROCKENBROUGH.
TVc. 12. fl..w3w0
i'EKS—fXjR SAI.k7ut\ 'very rea
1 tmahle tern a : About jou wt. of BUR
(ti'.Olj, ar.ilSodof BHKV JU.i; The i.iniiTypf
on a Mi* .t dit IlNt^t ta mm w.i» lately printed,