The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-12-17

they did not possess this right, how was the
n ton to be undeceived it once it should be
pl'nged into error. Suppose amotion bro't
forward in that House for a declaration of
war against Britain, would it not be compe-
tent to the people to present memorials and
circumstances for or against it And could
any man pretend to say that the national
welfare AND dignity would be less involved in
sch case, than in a proposition to repeal
that thing of shreds and patches, the non-im-
portation law, which to this hour had never
been put into operation. The consideration
of a memorial is one thing, compliance is an
other. The suggestion of the gentleman
from S. G. (NIr ID. II. Williams) was unan-
swserable. If the petition is unreasonable,
ii it requires whatit would be impolitic and
undignifedin them 20 grant, let its weakness
be exposed in a well drawn, mastery report
which might receive the sanction of the house.
Would not this be more dignifed in reality,
as well as more satisfactory to all parties
than to slap the doors i'll the petitioner S faces
affecting the airs of AsiatiC monarchs, refus-
ing to listen to the prayers of their subjects,
for subjects he must be allowed to call them,
if the House persisted to treat them as such.
On the eve of a foreign war, they were
treading in the footsteps of the British minis
try at the commencement of our revolutiona-
~ StIuSSie, ana OF inc war Will IauSS
which was suspended by the truce of Amiens,
turning a deaf ear to the prayers of their
own people. The British parliament would
not listen 10 petitions against the war. The
commanding eloquence OF Mr.. Fox himself
could not obtain hearing--he was obliged
to quit the House Of Commons. What fol-
lowed ?-On the verge OF the grave, he was
called, by the unanimous voice Of his coun-
try, to repair, if possible, those mischiefs "a
gainst which he had vainly protested, and
which he had fruitlesslv laborcd to avert.
MIR. r. denied far as his understanding
enabled him to comprehend it's drift, that
there was any thing in the petition de-cgato-
ry to the dignity of the House. "They mean
not to intimate wish for disclosures incom-
patibie with the due reserve OF government,
but candidly to present to It's view their diff
Culties and embarrassments." They also told
the House, " that although in the event war,
as individuals, they must be deeply affected,
they haze nor a SyfSh that considerations u
friUate interest Shouid induce sacrifice u
national honor and iHdcheHdence." What
more could they say9 And what didthe gem
tleman consider as the basis of the national
dignity and honorf The ncn-importaticn act,
thing at this time so contemplate, that
were a proposition pa6e for its repeal he
would hardly give himself the trouble to vote
for or against it lid the non-importation
law constitute all their preparation for war
with @. Britain ? 1t was idle to attach any
Importance to it. But make what they could
OF it, less than the constitution, the citizens
had right topetition for its repeal, or mo-
ditication, and Congress, if they did THEIR
duty, would take their case into Considerayi-
ON. A gentleman had told them that if such
q proposition were made by a member ofthat
House he would not consider il. Would he
not! Would he say, eve have such confidence
III cur numbers and so little reliance on or
understandings, that VIC will not discuss the
point with you, but trust to our vOtcs'' Ii
was a matter Of course to consider any pro-
position; negative it, if the House chose, and
then they were done with it. If they were
ashc most solcmnly believed, to have 2 " ar
with q. Britain, 1t bcfSyed them at the out
set to concliiate those by whom it was to be
carried on-the whole body Of the American
peOple-not to do the merchants Ito adopt
the language of his friend from MARYLAND
Mr.. X. Nelson) more justice than the land
holder or mechanic, bat not Tess. Let us not
(said Mr.. R.) if we must have war, set out
On the principles with which Mr. Pitt and
his majority began their war with France
principles of prescription to all enquiry
Let hottie example of their arrogance and
its humiliation be lost upon us.
Mr.. rites said the gentleman last up had
made one observation which he supposed re-
ferred to him, as TO the considcrat on of a
motion for repeating the non-importation act.
Mr.. L. saidhc had used the word refer, and
not consider; IT was true, if such a motion
we're offered 20 consider the non-inportation
act, he would have refused his assent to re-
fer that motion.
Oe6ate to be Continued }
IleCo-,tor