The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-04-29
HOUSE OF REpREsENTATIvEs.
Monday, Mare6 10.
DEBATE on Mr.. GsksG's Refointion.
GcoNTINuED.7


Mr.. CLARK. A fenfe of duty, prevailing
over perfonai inclination, compels me, Mr..
Chairman, to offer a few remarks on the fubiect
under confederation. The meafure now under
diicutlion appears to me to involve the beft in
teretts of our country, the PROPERTY, the hap
pinefs and the liberties of America trembe be.
fore 1t. In the hands of the refoution are con-
tanned the illues of life and death, and it would
be criminal in me not to throw in my mite to
retcue orr common country from the impend-
ing danger. The courfe which fl,all take will
differ in icme degree from that purified by thofe
who have fpoken in oppofition to the refouti-
on. ! !hall not attempt to draw any marked
determination between the varying interefs of
the country, or invidious difinetions between
the agricultural and commercial interefts.
think they are 70 efentially united. that one
cannotfall 10 the ground without tumbling the o.
therhead-long into ruins. Iihall con6der the fub-
ject relatively to its general policy, and whether,
on the principles of that general policy or con-
dtional compact, as has been contended by
gentlemen, we are bound to adopt the refoIu-
ton. IL | fiall fucceed in convincing a Jingle
gentleman now in favor of the refolution, that
we are not bound by the contribution, and that
it will be impoltic to adopt it, fhaIl con(ider
this amonef the happieft events of my life.
The great objects of our federal engagement
in forming the compact under which we now
live, were 10 eftabilh juitice, infure domefic
tranquility, and provide for the common de-
fence and general welfare of fociety Under this
contribution gentlemen call upon us, under the
Pretext of promoting the general welfare, to A.
dept refolution which manifefly goes to the
promotion of minor intereft. This compact, in
providing for the general welfare, mutt mean
that of the whole, or at any rate, of the larger
portion OF the community; it was never de-
hgned to promote subordinate intereft at the
iacrihce- of the general profperity. Are we
then bound by the constitutional compact TO a.
dept this refoluton 7 think not. Thus
much as to the con1itutionaty of the queftjon.
mutt coulider this refolution as war mea-
ture, and viewing the policy and prefent Gtua-
ton OF G. Britain, againlt which it is pointed,
have no heiitation to fay, that in my opinion,
1t will produce instantaneous war. A maritime
war, for fuch an one fhe will wage, will not add
one item to her prefent expenfes neither will
1t embarrais her meafures on the continent (. 1t
can have no fuch effect. She has eight hundred
fhiPs on the ocean, flufhed with victory and con-
qnett, and part of her navy is at this mo-
ment triumphantly failing almoft in fight of
your ihores, ready at any moment to feize,
mould that courfe appear expedient to her, all
our vefiels navigating the ocean. IT cannot af.
feet her continental operations. The war lle
will wage will he altogether maritime--Iier ma
Wy cannot be efiential againf her continental e.
neGiea in Europe. Already have their fleets
been annihilated. The victories off Trafalgar
and in the Weft-Indies, have cleared the ocean
of almoft every fail, and there remains no en-
ployment for her navy but to depredate your
commerce; and fhe will do it, you may rely
upon 1t. Thote are but indifferently acquaint-
ed with O. Britain and the genius of the firf
M Gun 81
hands will not be made ufe of. Gentlemen tell
you this is not contemplated as permanent
fyttem OF commercial arrangement, but a tenn
porary expedient, which by its pregure is to
bring our rival to fenfe of duty, and make
her do juftice. But this temporary meaflre
will have on Britain all the effect of war. De-
clare war to-mor ow, and it can only affect her
trade. Can you believe that fle will, with all
her advantages, remain quiet !? IT'S not her
character ihe will not do it. ! fhould think
contemptuouny of her f fhe fhould. Will fhe
iuifer you TO take war meafures and not retail
ate! VIII The be more afraid of you with your
four thouiand troops, difperfed over the whole
weitern country, and your thirteen armed vef-
teIs rotting in the Eaitern Branch, than of that
power whole conquerng arm has extended the
limits ofhis fway beyond former compsrifon, St
whole ambition is bounded only by the habita-
bic world.
What was the conduct Of that government A.
bout the year 1901, when an armed neutrality
was formed by a coalition of the Northern pow
ers! This meafure was comparatively pacific /;
but did not the gallant Mellon enforce an aban-
ment of this meafure with cannon at Copenbs-
gen Will lhe not do 70 to you II is her
intereR, and will fhe not be governed by it
She has no other rule of action. Are we not
then correct in confGering this war meafiire !
And ought not gentlemen to abandon the vain
tlluiion they have conceivedS 1t is however
laid, that ihe will not be willing 10 increafe the
number Of her enemies. But is lhe not well an
priied, from the genius ofthe American people,
that nothingi more dehred by them than peace;
and that the moment ibe does you iu1ice, Won
will be bound to feize it aud that fhe NAV
therefore calculate on making peace when nIe
pleaies. Win flie not, therefore, ufe all her
power to bring as firlt to terms, and then If fhe
fah, come 10 terms berfelfwhenever fse pleafes.
So much with REGARD fo fhis 40 a u,ar -,