The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-12-10

A
tune Of their application, and the o5servati-
chs which they had made, he thought ex-
| tremely improper. The petition contained
tnsinuations mat the Executive had taken toe
high ground, and demanded things that were
improper; he therefore thought the memo
rial was not entitled TO that countenance from
the House which it would appear 30 receive
by a reference to Il committee os the whole.
tie differed in opinion with the gentleman
from virginia just set down, who thought this
memorial should rouse their feelings; he
thought 1T should stand en- its own merits
The subject was in hands Of committee,
'aho would soon make a report, and they
might then display their feelings. When the
law IN question was passed, he thoouht some
steps were necessary to be taken to convince
the British government that they would not
calmly put up with all their injuries, but
would resent them. He had believed this
law would have that effect, and that Com
gress ought to pass it I; and having taken this
ground he would not retreat-tfis was no
t'Ine.for retreating; he would rather advance.
Inc petitioners had chosen very uI.fortu-
nate time for their PRAYER, when a negocia-
zion was actually pending. What would be
the eject of q reference fthe memorial
1t would strengthen the measures cf the Hli-
fish government; they would suppose that
the House repen:ed of its conduct. This
would be the efcCtas respected Great Britain.
What would be the effect as respected our
own government 1t would as necessary
consequence weaken their hands. lie was
willing to treat the petitioners with respect,
as he did not know whether they were Bri-
fish agents or American citizens lot he
trusted the motion for reference 60 It COM
mittee of the whole would not prevail as he
could see no one reason for ii.
Mr. II CHM ca id hat rho petitiD-, -,
ed generally by ship holders, men OF respec-
liability; ard with respect to the insinuation,
that it was the offspring of British party,
there was signed to that memorial the name
OF man, who could no more be supposed
British partizan, than could her greatest e.
nemy; but he would not now enter into an en-
quiry into the character OF these men. The
gentleman from Massachusetts first up, (Mr.
tCrcwninshield) had made long harrangue
on the state of the nation, and said that no
difficulties arose under this law. The Gus
tom-house of Philadelphia, in answer to an
enquiry by Reputation from body OF mer-
chants, declined giving an opinion as to the
operation Of some of its provsio. Every
person knew how the bill originated; when
the gentleman from MARYLAND who was not
now on the floor (Mr. Nicholscn) brought for
ward the resolution, it WAS general as all the
resolutions were, and merely declared the
principle; when it was agreed to and refer
redto committee to bring in a bill, instead
OF going into the necessary details, they took
the mere words of the resolution. AS to some
observations from the gentleman from Ten
nesSee (Mr. Rhea) one OF which was that the
law did not cmbarrass the merchants, he
should only observe that it appeared to be
the privilege of a member OF Congress to
speak on every subject that occurred, whe-
Their he knew any thing about it or not. He
should say no more, bat that his feelings had
been excessively wounded by the observation
of the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr
SMILEY when he knew that the mcmorialists
whose all was now at stake, were honest men
though of different politics from himself.
Mr.. NSchIaS said it was urged by the me-
morialists as one reason in favor of their
prayer, that the law needed amendment
another was, their fear of irritating c. B.
He wished to God the United States might
remain at peace with every nation on earth
but hoped they would only accept Of it upon
honorable terms. He did believe, that while
acts of hostility were committed, while the
armed vessels of Great-Britain still floated
III the waters of the United States, in def
ancc OF an introductory proclamation, it
would never be determined by the represcn-
tatives OF the great body Of the American
people, that it became them to take any
iiiSlS'iiCo VI C'piIilleLNC' ilt CNCGUllNS n1U
sentno supplication; lie hoped it had made a
demand: that must be complied with, or
they must appeal to arms, or make Il total
sacrifice of the national character. He ielt
no disposition to reject the memorial, but he
would not vote for its reference to any con-
niittee; and would submit it 10 h;s frie.id
from Virginia (Ar. Basget) whether it would
not be aGiil1 more for the interest OF their
Country, to suspend their time In making.
preparations for events, thin in discussing
such question as this memorial involved,
and whether his purpose would not be equal
ly answered by discussion Of what had for
its object the defence OF Che country.
Mr. ELi0f said, if it were true that there
did exist in our country British party, it
was subject which ought to excite no incon-
siderable alarm but nc had seen no reasons
for an apprehension Of this kind. If there
were in the country British party possess
sing talents, property and Influence, how un-
fortunate was our situation! IT, said Mr. T..
after the oJtrages which have been commit
ted, BY violations onour rights, and iursdic-
ton, there be party ready to advocate that
cause, we are unfortunate: If there be a Bri-
fish party, l hope it is the only foreign party
in the country. But how was the question Of
q British or any other party before themS A
petition had been presented to the House, &
a motion made for its reference to a commit
tee, to give it the only course which petit
on ever took. Was there any reason why