Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-12-08

4
lbarr2ssments
In common with their fellow-citizens
your MemofIalists entertain the strongest
sense OF the necessity of supporting tie no.
nor and Independence OF their country.
They ieel that the national interests inse-
parably connected with such support, and
although in The event of war, as ntiyiduals
they must be deeply affected, they have not
WISH that considerations OF private inter-
est should induce a sacrifice of national
honor and independence.
But from the wisdom and patriotism of
the National Legislature they conceive the
Expectation well founded tnat the CONNER
c'ai interests of the u States, with which
the common welfare is in3eparably connec-
ted, Will not he committed bv an unY;eld-
Tug adherence TO doubtful or unset ed prin-
cipes. Iney therefore with confidence
submit their hopes that while essential
rights, to which, as an independent nation,
we are lndispulably entitled, VIII he main
tanned TO the last extremity, matters OF
seeming interest, but of less importance
WIZ be referred TO more propitiols and
less hazardous moment for adjustment.
Under these impressions, your Memori-
ailSts deem 1t an indispensable duty to them
selves and to their llow-citizens OF the
landed and other interests, most respect
fully to suggest to Congress that the act
(at present IN suspension) entitled an set
10 prohibit the importation OF certain
goods, wares aud merchandise, passed the
18th day uf April, 1906" should It 20 INTO
operation, viii not tend to promote the de-
sirable results CT national PREPARATION ana
amcable adjustment of our differences with
IGreat-BriSa.h. IL effect that your Memo
riai'sts consider the said act, in-its appl:-
Cation to this couatry as extremely em6ar-
rass ns, aud lii its operation ON the govern
ment and people OF Great-Bvitain as Irrita-
ting and ineihci cnt-Tuat the repeal O! the
sad act wound be productive Of beEcac:a.
effects, II DIS much as Ii would relieve CNr
own Citizens from embarrassment, demon
| strate disposition TO treat or terms OF IL
beraiity, andbe considered as pledge of
candour and magnaninl!Iy i'm the conduct
| or the negotiation. While in the event of
failure TO proaucs far and honorable ac-
| commodation, the evils o! war, which must
| severely and equally affect the farmer,
| merchant and mechanic, would be borne
! with less regret, asbeing rendered newt
soe.
Ia submitting their opinions to the Natl
onai Legislature, your Memorial,sts have
not, tGey conceive, Overlooked the de. CO
| cy of the su ject to which they relate
and they have an%Iousiy endeavOred, in
representing the objects of this Memorial,
10 connect the national honor and interest
| with their individual claims and privile-
ges.
Relying on The exercise OF wise, Just
and d,gnIf,ed policy, your MemoriaijAs res
! pectfnllY refer the matters herein stated
| To tse consideration ana decIsion of Con-
gress.
! The memorial having been read, Mr..
| J. CLAY moved that it be referred 10 The
IcommItyee of Commerce and Manufac-
lures.
Mr. Rowan did not feel himself compe-
tent to judge on this subject; but would
barely suggest To the consideration OF the
House, whether al;er the attack on the
chesapeake petition of this nature should
be referred. lie himself had dIsdppyoved
iof the act OF which this petition prayed d
!, repeal; but 1t had been passed, and since
It's passage the memorable a.S.ir of thC
. chesapeake had toSen place and it haC
been SAID by the BRUSH government ,ha
IT this act were suffered to 20 into opera
ton it would be considered as dec!itrati
/ On OF war Under these circumstances III
could not as an American vote for refer
ence oi a memorial on this subject. Hac
. he hecn entitled 10 q vote previous To tn,
affair Of the Chesapeake, he should have
voted for repeal o. the law; bu. now n
J. was opposed to considering the subject a
al: they were ret now in a situation {
barley. Aud he hoped, whatever Nigh
~ hereafter be done, that the House wou
i not now enter into q consideration OF TIN
u subject In ris'rg 20 express this op nior
ne was actuated by the same sentimen,
, hat would guide him IN common life
Inc had committed an injury, in fair word
TlGe would retract 1t; but If threat wcr
y fused, he would not. This nad cause
. sensation IN the cabinet of England, AN
= whatever might be the Consequence, the
= must now make proper stand even
eterencc o, this memorial would be dt
II graduation other dignity.
=, Mr. J CLAY said, that whatever wei
&, his sentiments rs to the proprety Of III
II measure ~ question, yet as the memoirs
y was ccuched IN moderate terms, and draw
TO ~ with ability, he thought 1t would not I
~ inconsistent with the dignity Of Congre
M to refer II; they did not grant the pray,
p of the memorial by referring it, IL WI
81 proposed TO be rcicrltd TO the cOmmitut
I'd apo nted to consider all subjects relatil
Co commerce, and nothing could certain
On be more ,mportau. in relation to commerce
OF than the existence Of the act prohibit,
Id the importation OF certain goods, wares al
h. merchandise. He bclicv, q tHatc,ery m,
ny lin the community who hSt considered q
n ldCt iu question, had found q deficient ~