Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1806-03-06
Senate of the United States.
Thursday. February IS.
BRITISH AGGREssloNs.
kdate on the second resslHtion reported BY
aseiect committee, as given in our last.
(ConcludsG)

'sSsuate a. that late hour but the OBJ.
seseryasious of the gentleman who had just
sses down induced him TO beg their ID
Adulgence for fsw moments the
-pentleman 10 The course OF his observations
seems TO have made two proportions as
the ground of his objection, wig, that the
resolution now under consideration con-
-&ains a censure upon the President as not
having done his duty in negotiating and
~thas BY passing il We regoing to sacrifice
the honor and Interest of the u. S. and
ats citizens.
Mr.. President, I would ask in what maa-
ner we should do either. How shall We
~censurs the President? He has negotiated
until there appears no prospect of obtaining
that jussice TO which we are entitled; and
Nhe has new submitted the matter to Con-
gross to pursue such measures as ahah aP-
pear tothem prudent.
And what are We abous 10 do! Sir, NC
have already unanimously passed one reso.
luton, IN which We say that the capture
sgand.condemuaron of the vessels and car
gees of our ciuzens ia an unprovoked vio-
la,ion of our independence, and an agrees
saion upon the property OF our citizens.
And if that declaration is correct what sre
we TO dofurther? Are we upon the strength
eeof that declaration TO sit down aud told
7our hands together, and expect Britain rot
do Us justice? Or are We TO declare war;
Sir, are we prepared at this momeat to de.
ss@clare war? Wilt be wise! Will it be pru-
: dent without oRe effort to avoid it, with all
Its horrors of blood & destruction? Are the
people now prepared to meet it without our
making one more attempt TO negotiate!
VIII they say We have acted wiseiy be.
-lieve pot; Sir, We are one component part,
~of Coagress, who have the sole ,pawer of
declaring war; and by this resolution we
are gazing to say to Britain; not by our
selves for We are not by the constitution
authorised to speak to foreign nations in
~fhis way but we are about to request the
President, in our bshalf.s1 in our name. &
In ,he name ofthe whole people of the y. s.,
TO say to Britain you have injured us by
.sour unproyoked aggressions, and We de.
mand satisfaction we can bear these Ia.
ssults no longer; therefore make the com
pensation for past injuries, and do us JUS
tiee 10 future, and we are willing still TO be
friends. Wherein does this censue the
president! S He has pursued negotiation
all he finds it uaavailing. We now ask OF
him TO make one last effort in our behalf
before We appeal TO the last resort of war;
end trust that We shall arm him with pow.
-er that will gre energy to his last negoci.
alton. And wherein are we going TO sa-
ocri6ce the honor of the United States, or
fhe interest of the citizens? Does it saeri )
g6ce our honor TO eBdeavor to settle our.
differences in an amicahle way rather than
ysofy to arms and deluge the earth with.
sbiood? VIII it6x astigma uPoa US in The,
eyes of any rational men or nations! be-.
sslieve not. And how are We going to sacri-
= 6cc the interests Of our citizens? Do we
do it by demanding justice for them OF
Britain Isbelieye that they themselves VIII
enos view is in that light, when they see IL
: followed by the third resolution which l.
sahope will be passed. Aad indeed had IL
: not have been for the expectations of that,
Sresolution being carried into efeer, in such:
VA manner as 10 give energy to this, /.
should have withheld my vote from the
-frss. But under the futt expectation tha.
the third resolution viii pass, aud as do
not believe it contains any esnsure upon.
the president, and as I.believe it will do.
ihonortS the United States, and will havu a
tendency TO secure reputation to eur citi.,
szsns, ] shall oheerfally give it my vote.
Mr.. SMITH, (of Ohio Mr.. President.
although the resolution on your table eau
mot impose a new obligation on the chief
magistrate of this conntry in its present,
form, yet frem its coincidence with the
letter and spirit of his message at the O.
psning of the present session from its
presumpiiye influence at home, and its