Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1806-03-14
[1ur. Gregg's Speech conclusea.l

II has been said also that che. price Of our
exports is to be greatly affected by this
measure. The article. of cotton has been
particularly mentioned. Why, SIR, the re-
solution does net say awerd about exports.
II is entirely silent as to them. They are
left at liberty to go to those markets where
s ahey have heretofore found purchasers, or
60 search for new ones as it may suit their
convenience. The adoption of the msa.
: sure may produce amomentary daminution
! sfprice, and this inconvenience will be
promoted by the representations OF design
ing spectators, who are continually roam.
ing about the country to take advantage OF
she ignorant and unweary. Bus when the
.Hrst impression is removed, our prodactl-
ons being either necessaries OF life or ma.
SERIALS for manufactures will be in demand,
an sought for, and purchased at a price
GO respondent to chat demand. But, sir,
ey n admitting that we were to sustain a
temporary inconvenience from small re-
,-duction in the price ofthe produce OF our
Arms, are We 20 put few cents differ.
snce In the price of pound of cotton, or
: tobacco or barrelof -four, or quintal of
fish in competition with the honor and ge-
neral interest of oar country! Is there a
member of this house, is there a man IN
she community that would submit to see
his neighbor dragged into ignoble bondage,
merely because it would produce slight
shock in the market for hisproduce Such
an idea would, believe, besuniyersally
~spurned &C.
Bus, Mr.. Chairman, the strongest OBJ.
icstion have heard mentioned is, that it
we do pass non-importation act, 1t cannot
be executed, an6 either we shall be laugh.
ed at by Great Britain, or it will afford
prefexs to he, minister, whose decision is
well known, to let loose his cruisers, and
sweep the ocean. This is the language US.
ed in Britain. Their writer's ackaswlcdge
that a non.importation ACT would be to
them serious calamity, but.comfor, them
saelves with the reflection that it couldnos
Ebe executed. Now ask, what reason can
sbe assigned why it could not be as well ex.
,ecuted now as it was in former times
Are we SO abiect, so degenerate as TO sub.
unit to such national indiguity, rather han
forego the pleasure resulting from amin.
diligence in British Injuries But it NAV
give offence 10 the British minister who
will sweep the ocean with his cruiZers.
This, TO be sure, is. a sweeping objection,
hut how viii j, apply? What right has the
British minister se take offence at any re.
Sulations We may see proper 10 adopt We
have moral, and we havea constitutional
right 90 manage our commercial concerns>
in cur swn way, provided we don's in
fringe, ior violate the rights OF other natl.
ops. This sacred trust has been commit.
ted 10 Us by the people OF this country, aud
trust we win never feel disposed 70 resign
it to any foreign minister.
But admitting that great man with al.
his decision, should Ietloose his1crulzefs,
what will he, gain? Ia he not more at cur
; mercy than we are at his If he attempts
10 make general sroeep, self.defsnce will
iustify reprisals. The debts owing to Bri-
fish subjects, the immense property owned
by them in this country, will Of course be
laid hold OF. will, perhaps. be told here,
that by the treaty of 1894 sequestration Of
debts ia prohibited. True; but if one of
the contracting parties violates the contract,
the other is released from his obligation
If Britain violates nine articles OF the trea-
nv, she cannot consider us bound by the
zenith. Besides, her provinces are quite
contiguous and open to Us, and by secur.
sng them, we would make ourselves mas
aers Of the fur trade, from which shs de.
xives such important advantages. Even
on the ocean doubt whether she would
be a gamer in the contest. And this is
not mere theory. During the last wal, our
privateers captured more of their vessels
shan they took of ours with all their navy.