Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-13

POSITION 20 me RESOLUTION from khc
| House Of Delegates, erpre3ainy their
authorization Of thc administrator ofthe
General Government.
SeperGi gentlemen hzUing stiokcn, EEr.
Daniel addressed the chair to the folio wing
effect:
Mn. CHA.RMAE-I concur most hear
| tily with all thc gentlemen, who nave spo-
ken, iii the expression of regret that
this subject has in any manner been
brought into debate here. What, sir, is
the real object of rhc resolution sent up from
the House OF Delegates What good is it
calculated to effect! What occasion is 1t
that demands us 10 withdraw our attention
from those subjc, Is OF legislation whiC pro-
Perly belnog to as, and bcstowit n, re8olues
upon the affairs of the United States Has
the government of the United States seized
upon the rights OF the people, or violated
that little remnant of state sovereignty
which is reserved by the constitution Is
there any dreadful calamity impending
which threatens the destruction OF the adj
miniStration and the ruin of all our sacred
institutions Gentlemen avow none ofrhcse
lthings-and yet they tell you, that none
but great, important and periious occasions
can justify this resolving Interference on
The part OF the General Assembly. What
then Is the yre6f occa8i0n which jusTiics
this resolution WHY truly, sir, in the last
Congress there were some republicans,
few, indeed, as to number, but great for
their talents and the services winch they
had rendered 10 their country, who had in
dependence enough to oppose one or two
measures which, 7vc are toL2, were recon-
mended by the President, but which their
Judgment could not approve. This rs the
great, the periiOus affair, ON account of
which we are called upon to denounce those
men. Gentlemen in this House deny such
intention. But, sir, look to the resolution.
( Docs it approve the general course of the
/ government No. Toes it not cautiously
| g nd Il general appreciation of the admi-
! aiStration which all Of us could have gwen.
while it selects as peculiarly worthy Of
eulogiu1 the only measures of the govern
ment which were opposed by few repu5-
hClIs Gan ny person believe that this
subject would thus have been obtruIcd up
on us, if those measures had ocen opposed
Iby none but fcdcraliSts! No. II 'Dcttcr
! proof wanting to establish the fact, that
/ this resolution is designed as a Censnrc CT the
minority OF last Congress for opposing what
Is said to have been the wish OF the admi-
nistration III relation TO particular mca-
su"es. refer YOU tn the sentiments with
winch the introduction of the result was
prcfaced and to the declarations OF u
number of gentlemen who support this
measure lin the House of DeleCates) where
in they openly avow the design Of casting
q ccnsure outhe minority, and express their
,egret that language u NireCt rcproba-iOn
/ is not used. VINO then can doubt the effect
which this resolution is calculated to give
| IL gentlemen disavc.' the design OF censure,
| nuSt believe them.
But, sir, what means the declaration
whichis made in this House by;alnost every
! gentleman which is also used, as / know,
I by a number ofthe House of Delegates, and
I believe, a majority, if called on, would
express the same sentiment of regret, that
! such a resolution is moved; Is it All evidence
, that the adopt, of the resolution will pro
duce good / can. OF count the patr otism
of gentlemen at a rate so low, as to believe
that they would enter with such sioth and
reluctance into the discussion Of any mea-
sure, the adoption Of which would in
I their judg lent, promote the public good.
( This circumstance gives to my mind IN ir-
I rcsistable evidence t gentlemen either
! doubt the truth of the sentiments stated III
/ the resolution, or that they apprchend an
| impropricty in adopting it, for some other
reason. If they doubt the truth Of the re-
solution, they certainly ought not to vote
! for 1t and what other IMPROPERLY in it's
adoption is there so palpablc as that it goes
( to censure men, who, with a zeal and inde-
Ipendence that should always attend every
/ faithful representative of the people, oppo-
/ sed those measures which their judgment
could not approve ?.
But gentlemen say, they act under Il nc
ccssity which is forced upon them-thc re-
solution is sent up, and VIC must vote. J,
sir, acknowledge the authority Of no such
forcc-I resist it. ! will not sing praises
when my heart and my tongue are not at
tuned 90 the subject. IN the language of
truth, such as is used in the proposed SUBJ
stitutc, viii declare thatI am not inform
cd as to the particular measures referred Co,
and wait a decision until better informant
on is obtained Have not gentlemen who sup.
port this resolution been called on for this
information What is their reply2 Does il
afford the information sought Not by anv
means. But they say, ave hare Uirfu0us
Presidenf end 7Uise administration i'm
whom they have confidence, and being put
under the necessity Of voting, they will SUP.
port the administration. Who is It that
will not Does it follow that representa-.
tive who refused TO vote for the passage g.
two laws which were enacted by maiorit,
Of Congress, is opposed TO the admiuistrati
on ? or that gentlemen here, who doub
whether hose tOO laws we're tho best thai