Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-12-30
FROM THE ENQUIRER.
INTERESTING DEBATE
IN the Virginia House If Delegated.


Wednesduy, December II.
Mr.. t. h. Robertson presented the fol-
lowing resolution, accompanied by few
remarks:
"ReSofved, That the Legislature of Vir-
Binfd continue 10 vfe4v 4viththe Mrhcst Gti-
f'robation, the firm, iust and liberal j,ohcy,
qUhich charect,rises the conduct oftke eo-
pernmenf cfthe Unftrd Siatce fozyards TO-
reign nations
Mr.. MILLER (ofPowhatah.) III feel N.Y.
self, sir, OH the present question, reduced
20 most delicate situation. had suppos-
ed that the resolution, which we adopted
yesterday, would have been amply sufiici-
ent for the mover of dis resolution. find
however, that gentlemen are no. yet con-
tented with the declarations which this
house has made and that they are anxi-
GUS to hurry it into measures, which had
hoped o,ir present situation would have
withheld.
Sir, it is not my intention to refuse nv
Warmest appreciation 10 the general acts
OF this government. Generally speaking,
! believe the present administration to be
as perfect ana as useful as any adnlinistra-
ton could possibly be. But, sir, this is not
the question before the house. WHY did
not gentlemen boldly come out with their
views! Why did they not declare that the
present resolution is not meant to apply to
the measures of the government. generally
Considered; but that few particular acts
were particularly implied, though not c.. !.
pressly designated by this resolution? Sir.
this is the real object OF the measure: tits
intended TO enlist cur appreciation OH the
side of those measures, which were speci-
iically adopted towards Spain and Great
Britain.
On these points, sir, am not prepared
to say that the government has acted Wise
ly; And why Because there arc ONLY two
means, by Which the wisdom of any mea.
sure can be tested and neither ofthcse is
IN our possession on the present occasion.
| We must either have the grounds Of any
particular measure fairly laid open before
! US; or It's consequences must have appear
ed, before we can decide whether II was
or was not a wise measure. But, sir, how
can | vote for this resolution, when on both
these points, do not possess the necessary
knowledge! have no means of informant
on, but through the public prints. have
10 intimacy with those great men who
guide the affairs of our government.
have not all the documents before me re-
qu:si.c &c form an opinion; and these mea.
su es cannot yet be judged of by their eff.
fccts. How then is it possible for me 70
say, that with respect to these points, the
best and wisest course has been pursued?
have an additional objection, sir. r.
this resolution. ] do not deem IL rep.,hI;.
can TO be bringing forward these addresse,
to our Executive Magistrate. Some zen.
ticmen have however commended that there
is an inconsistency between NV practice
during the last winter and INV profession,
during the present. But our affairs wer,
then in a very different crisis and callct
for very different measures. The pfesi
Gest had solcmnly declared, that Spain bat
|, violated our territory that she had pirat
ed upon our commerce and that Great
Britain had intcrpolated new PRINCIPLES in
ito the laws Of nations. The public senti
r lment at that moment called for an avowa
: lof our opinionsj and the bost interests 0