Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-27

said, when he should have been opposed to
such resolution. That time was when
the executive was endcavoring to gam n
formation calculated to throw light on the
plot; but that time had passed by. All
those engaged in it must by this time be-
completely. enlisted and embarked in Ito
and nothing which the executive shall now
disclose could cxtricate them from beng
: secured and punished as they deserved. If
a resolution were laid on the table for an
enquiry into the nature of the plot, as that
might place the man concernc q in K 81 tleip
guard, he should be opposed 10 it. But WAS
1t not known to every gentleman, that the
| plan was so far matured that the informa-
| tion could not reach the conspiratorS mt line
1 to prevent its execution. Suppose the exc
ecutive shall state to us, that certain indi-
viduals were implicated Can that cnab c
! them to elude punishment No, theT arc
| fully embarked, and nothing rema MS iur US
TO do, but TO take such measures as the Case
requires. Another advantage would result
from the resolution Suppose the executive
to have taken every necessary measure,
and believe, said Mr. b. that they hive
TO defeat these projects, what will be the
consequence Will not this information
tend to tranquilizc the mind of every man
in the country. Mr.. Burwel said he re-
peated, that it was because he had conf,
dence in the executive magistrate because
he wished for true and full information on
the subject, because the disclosure Of pep
sons implicated could do no misch eff, and
'ecause an Official statement would tram
quilize the public mind, that he was in fa-
vor Of the resolution. For his part, he was
ready to say that if the executive gave inc
formation that required an augmentation of
lHN rod g., Il, IL
necessary means for defending the country,
under the impression that IT was the duty
of every member to protect the Union from
internal injury or foreign danger.
Mr.. MASTERS--Ml Speaker. From
the best Information have been able TO OBJ
, tain, the conspiracy is yet progressing with
increased ardOr aud zeal.
If there was no Conspiracy existing, ard
not conspirator in tho United States, be-.
! lieve it high time to pursue more energetic
measures for the safey, security and honor
of this nation, and at least be prepared to
act. Has not the cove rnment pf SPAN re-
fused to ratity her scicIan treaty, and Tor
| several years manifested hostile inteutions
! towards the American nat on, and actually
Dut her troops in motion to invade cur ter
| ri,ory? Has she not refused to recall her
! minister, who hiss repeatedly insuited tho
!
| ed bv the executive? Does she rot cunti-
nue. To procrsstinate and delay the pends-
ing negotiation, probably with view to
! see the result Of our negotiation with G..
| Britain, and stimulated by France to view
that negotiation with jealous eye, as tho
there were secret Instructions to operate to
| her disadvantage, or SOME other pretenco
for aggression ?
! When the committee reported the bill to
authOrise the president to accept of volun-
[ teerS, ! must confess | was astonished, be-,
Cause the report contained TO clause for
raising regular troops. ! therefore called
on the committee, TO know if that was the
only measure contemplated bv the commit
tee. If it was, thought it very inefficient
| in the present state of affairs, both Internal
and external ] obtained no direct answer,
but was informed it was only report in
part.
! wish to get the necessary information
from the executive, and to pursue active
and efficient measures, and not drink of tho.
cup of national degradation.
Mr.. SMILE. We have had such Pig
ture drawn Of cur situation, that am wiz
ling to go any proper length. But ana
surprised TO hear such representation
made, as would lead us to believe we were
on the eve Off war. IF tins representation
be founded, it APP ears that certain per-
SONS have been pcrpetually intriguing, and
have only waited for an opportunity to strike
the most deadly blow. For one, howcver,
shall be indispdsed, as ALWAYS have been
indisposed, to 90 into measures Oft wariike
character, without the most sufficient rea-
sons. Indeed my opinion is, that while the
country is in state Of safety, We never
should commit it TO the horrors and hazards
Of war. On either side We have nothing
bit newspaper information with regard to
the representation that has been drawn
we know, however from Different source,
that a negotiation has been for come time
depending with Spain that that negcca-
ton is not terminated; and that the troops
ut Spain, as well rs our own, are on the
frontier; and the commanders Of those
troops have made an agreement not to dis.
turb each other until they shall have re-
ceivcd special instructions. Does this look
like being on the eve o. war with Spain
Surely not. And if not, why this extrdor.
binary anxiety, on this occ sion l do not
Ike the resolution, for this rcason--it be-
speaks want Of confidence in tho cxeCu-
tive. Congress have thc power to declare
war, and to provide the means for carry
ing it on-wben provided, it IS the constitute
tioual duty Of the executive to conduct it.
Now, have We not already provided, arc
. We NOT providing all the means that have