The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-03-21
Ma. J.. RANDOLPH. I am extremely a.


ieet, have very little right to addrefs YOU, for
in truth, l have not yet feen the documents
from the Treafury, which were called for fome
time ago to direa the Judgment of this Houfe'
IN the decifon OF the queltion row before you
and, indeed, after what ! have this day heard. i
no longer require that document or any other
document-indeed 1 do not know that ever
ihouid have required ito vote on the refolu.
tion ofthe gentleman from Pennsylvania. If
had entertained any doubts, they would have
been removed by the fyle in which the friends
Of the reiolution have this morning difcufled it.
Yam perfectly aware, that on entering upon
this iahjeet, we go into it manscled hand
castesf, and tongue tied. Gentlemen know that
our lips are fealcd on fubjeets of momento,,s TO-
reign relations; which are indi(Toluhly linked
with the prefent queition, and which would
ierve TO throw great light ON If in every ref
peel relevant to it. Twill, however, endeavour
to hohble over the fnbjea, as well as my fet-
tered limbs and paltied tongue viii enable me
TO do il.
] am not furprifed to hear this refolution diff.
cutied by its friends as war meafure. They
lay ut Is true) that lis not war meafure !;
but they defend it on principles which would
juttity none but war meafurcs, and feem pleafed
with the idea that it may prove the forerunner
OF war. If war is neceiIary-if we have reach.
ed this point, let US have war. But while
have life, will never content to thefe incipi-
ene war rneafures, which, in their commence
ment breathe nothing but peace, though they
plunge US at Taft into war. It has been well
obterved by the gentleman from Pennfylyania
behind me lMr. ]. Clay) that the fituatiou of
this nation in 1898, was in every refpea differ
ent from that which it finds itfelf in 1906. Let
me afk, too, the Gtriation Of England is not
hnce materially changed? Gentlemen, who,
itwould appear from their language, have not
got beyond the horn-book Of politics, talk of
our ability to cope with the Britifh navy, and
tell us Of the war of our revolutions. What
was the iituatioh of Great Britain then :! She
was then coatending for the empire ofthe Bri-
9Th channel, barely able to maintain a doubt.
ful equality with her enemies, over whom fhe
never gained the fuperiority until Rodney's VIC
tory ofthe 18TH of April. What is her prcfent
htpation The combined fleets of France,
spain and Holland are difipated :-they no
longer exit. I am not furprifed to hear men
advocate thefe wild opinions, to fee them goa;l-
ed on by fpirit of mercantile avarice, train
ing thelrfeeble itrength to excite the nation TO
war, when they have reached this Mage of infa-
tuation, that we are an over match for G. Bri-
tain on the ocean. 1t is mere waite of time to
reaion with fuch perfons. They do not de-
ferve any thing like ferrous refutatiop. The
proper arguments for fuch ftatefmen are trait
wailteoat, dark room, water cruel, and de.
pletion.
1t has always appeared to ne that there are
three points to be conlidered, and maturely
sonhdered-before we canbe prepared to vote
toe the retolution <ofthe gentleman from Penn
iyivania. Fhf: Our ability to contend with
Great Britain for the queaion in difpute: Sc
randy: The policy offnch a conteft and
2birdly-in cafe both thefe f1all be fettled af-
hrmatiyely, the manner in which we can, with
the greatef eheSt, re-aft upon and annoy our
sdycrfary.
Now the gentleman from MafIachufetts (Mr.
Crownh!hield) has ietted at a Jingle fweep, to
ue one ofhis fayorite cxprviIions, not only that
we are capable of contending with O. Britain
on the OCEAN, but that we are Actually her fu-
=, g. WfiSIICS d5en tho gentleman deduce
this inference! Becaule, truly, a. that time
whSn 9. Britain was not miftrefs ofthe ocean,
when North was her prime miniffer and
Sandwich the firft lord of her admiralty, when
the was governed by accounting -houfe adn,iuif.
tratiou. privateers of this country trefpaiIed
on her commerce. So, too, did the CRITTERS of
Dunk'Ik at that day SuHrein held the maj
terry of the Indian feas. But what is the
cafe now Do gentlemen remember the can
tare OF CORVALLIS on land becaufe De Giraffe
maintained the dominion of the ocean? To
my mind no petition is more clear, than that if
we go to war with Great Britain, CharisftoB
and Bofon3 the CheEapeake and the HudE,n
will be invefed with Britth fqua,irons. Will
you call on the count de Giraffe to relieve them,
or mall we apply TO admiral Gravirfa, or admi-
raj Villeneuve 10 raife the blockade. But you
have not only aprofpeet ofgathering glory, and
what fesms to the gentleman from Mafiachu-
fests, much dearer, profit, by privateering, but
you will be able to make.a conqueit of Canada
& Noya.Scotia. Indeed a--Then, Sir, we fhall
catch Tartar. Iconfefs, however, have no
deiireto fee the Senators and Representatives
of the Canadian French, or of the tories and re-
fngees Of Nova Scotia, fitting on this floor, or
That of the other Houfe--to fee them becoming
members OF the union, and participating equal
W IN Our political rights. And on what other
principle would the gentleman from Malta.
chuietts be for Incorporating thofe provinces
with mss Or on what other principle could
II be done under the contribution If the gen.
tlenan has 10 other bounty TO offer us for 90
ing 80 war, than the incorporation of Canada
and Nova Scotia with the u. States, am for
remaining dtpeace.
: What isthc queaion in difpute The car
rying trade. What part ofiti The fair, the
none't, and the nfeful trade that is engaged in
carrying our own productions to foreign mar
kets, and bringing back INTERPRETATIONS il, ex-
change No, Sir.--it is that Carrying trade
which covers enemy. property, and carries the
coffee, ne fugar, and other WeR-India pro.
10 Ahn rNrxN taar.