The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-03-11


The rclolutiop ought not To be confirmed in
toan improper Interference with executive pre-
rosaise, for II will not fntan that interpreta,-
on. II is the cunilitutionai right aud the daily
praetice OF the Senate to adyifs the executive 10
adopt fpecihc meafures, ~ well as to cali for
information on diplomatic and legislative fii,-
lects. What is the object of the reioluticn? II
- that this branch of the legislature Ihali fiare
III the refPonEbility of employing means to ex-
ecate the meafnrs propofed. This Is nagnani-
NOUS, asst n voluntary on the part Of the Ss-
nate, for in adopting the reioution, we attach
nigh degree of refponiibiny to- ourfrlvss in tie
effects to be produced. - ',a
The object of the re:oiusion ftems to be fur
thef Iliuffrated on two grounds =
/. That the Proficient demand the reitossti.
on OF the property OF their citizens, captured
and condemned on the pretext of its beiu.
employed IN trade with the enemies of Great
Britain, prohibited in time of peace and upon
the decentralization of iuch American citizens,
FOR their ioiies and damages fuftaned by theie
captures and condemnatons." What is there
m TINS part of the reioluton 70 objectionable to
honorable gentlemen ? Is it the reRoration of
the captured property of our citizens? No!
Is 1t the decentralization of our citizens, for
their iollcs and damages iuitaincd blythe Cap.
tues OF which we complain. 1t cannot he.
10 what then ars exceptions taken! Two
non. gentiersc1 have given the aufwer "The
reioiution, if adopted, will be an encroachment
upon the executive branch of the government"
Ih's j fhail deny until conviction of the impro-
prety ofentering into any refolution which ex-
preies TO one branch of the government the
views and detires Of another. The freedom of
communication, hetwee the Iegiflstive and ex-
ecutive branches of government, is fanctioned
by the law and uCagc of all nations that are
tree. The reioution does not aifume the bold
neis or mandate, but the delicate form of a
fequet. Having ohviated this objection, I
contend that the ieas are the high road of the
world, and that all nations have right to ute
u. ihat we as neutral nation have right TO
trade with all, who are free to trade with us.
except with a hockaded port, and in ARTICLES
consrahand of war. England has iInpoIed
new reitr'etion beyond the cafes of C. ontrabaud
and blockade. In her courts of admiralty. fbe
has taken lawlets difintton between trade
IN war and trade in peace; and that trade
not permitted in peace is unlawful in war,
pronounce 1t an injurious regulation upon our
commerce, and what truft our government
VIII rot iuhmt TO, as it is repugnant to the
law OF nations and grois violation of neutral
rights.
Ofthis new and odions principle, the Pref
dent of the US. has iufly complained, and
with the Senate TO unite in hearing .eRimonv a.
gainft It--aud while we do this, let us refort to
inc means OF renunerating our injured citizens.
ihey nave been robbed and plundered on the
high ieas, while falling under the American f1ag
and engaged in lawful trade. i feel INDIGNANT
at this outrage, and cannot iiIently and delihr
rateiy fee our flag infIlted, our feamen inpreff.
ca, our citizens ruined, and our trade deffroy-
ell. But, 1t has been iaid, that if we adopt the
reiolution 1t will reffrict the Prefdent TO the
hrong attitude of demanding tine reftitutiou of
our property taken by Britlh crufers, and con.
formations. Be it 70 1; he will not farely tre,t
with them but ON the ground Of reftitution. We
nave treated England as the mott favoured ma
tion' IN all our commercial and diplomatic re.
gniations, HE has requited US with the impof.
ton or Inhdious duties, with predatory fpoliati-
ons at lea, and illegal COMBINATIONS on land.
Our nation will he avengsd-and the ereatcft
objection which feel to the refoutious is, thar
they 10 not go far enough. | would make
pr"vIhonal declaration of war, TO be carried in
10 eHect WIN vIgor, not only aglinft England
out againt Spain, and any other power who
Under circumstances 70 aggravated, refufe TO
redreis our wrongs. Sir, l mu(t honeftIy con-
fe's, that deprecatc the flames and ravages of
war'tha;l ihonld lamentth neceffi,y of involving
.ne NATION as much as any man; but, fir, with
u avoided on honor able terms for rather than
lee the honor and the rights Of my country vio-
1900 '''NS ''iouSU TlNtTS OF DBODu and
light till doomsday in their defence. The e..
cond ground of illufration appears in the lat
ter part of the refoIuton, and in the following
words, ;" To enter into fucb arrangements with
the brItiih government on this and all other diff
terences fulfilling between the two nations
(and particularly refpeeting the impeachment of
american feamen) as may be confident with
the honor and interefs of the United States.
ana manIfsit their earuef deiire to obtain for
themielves and their citizens, by an an,icable
negoc,ation, that iuftice to which they are en-
titled" Until this refoution came into debate.
battered mYfelf that the fenate would have
adopted 1t uuanimouny. The obie4 of the
reio'ution is 10 very important that could not
imagine one honorable member of the fenate
would be found refufng to fupport it.
SIR, permit me TO ak. can true American,
be indifferent to the depredations COMMITTEES
on our neutral rights, and does not the impreG.
mcTetot our feamen deferve the attention Of
the fehate Every member muft ayow it. In
what then do we differ Merely in the pbra-
Zoology ofthe refDution. did hope for una.
nImlty m the fenate as we'll upon the form as
the f1bftance ofths refoution. In this, how
ever, | am disappointed, and az ] casnot IRE.
vent 1t, will fit down and regret it.