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


rem chat she would violate neutral rights
without pretence; she. had outraged
Denmark who never injured her, and hat
not attempted 10 justify 1T to the world bul
on the mere ground OF necessity. Ho
thought Congress ought ut this moment 10
arm the nat,cn, and be preparel'to meet
the event. He could not sit stiil and bear
such Language as the petitioners had useL
they were alarmed at the extent of our de-
nands. What were they? 1t was not in
the power of the House TO say but from
the known character and conduct of the
Executive, they had no right to infer but
that they were reasonable aud just. He
felt a confidence in the EXecut We and lSad
no wish preniaturely to know whatthose de
mands were. These were the ideas which
occurred TO him at this moment; he could,
therefore, see no good which could, result
from a reference of the petition.
Mr. MILNoR said that all the arguments
of the gentleman from Massachusetts went
20 shew that reference of the memorial
wal al involve an inquiry into the eXpcL ency
ofrepeal ne the law. Ii he thought the refe-
renee of the petition rested Oh that qucsti-
on, he should entertain the same opinion as
had been expressed by that gentleman !;
bat he had yet heard nothing which could
convince him of the impropriety of refer
ring this memorial. Ii would be no more
than proper respect to the petitions TO
give il 4 preference as TAR as he had heard
the names of the subscribers to the memo
rial read he knew them to be men of con-
sideration he was not personally acquani
ted with them, but knew them by cha
racter. They had addressed the House in
respectful Language, aud had requested
them 10 consider the proprieIy OF repeal
ing q CERTAIN law. What imprcpriety was
there III this ! The gentleman from Mas
saChpseus had admitted that it was ques.
tiCn winch required consideration, whe-
ther the law should go into operation OF
be rcpeaivd; & from the observations he haC
uttered, it appeared to Lehis desire enter
into more violent measures than those COZ.
temp aIed by that law. MINI had never tho
that law judicious, or that a partial prehi
bition OF inpoi tation would have good eff
feet on urforelg n relations, but that it woulC
merely tend to Irritate; and, he would ra
ther have seen law passed To prohibit al
importation, than one of Sc futile nature
Ii the situation OF the country was such "A.
to require strong measures, that law woult
NOT he such as ought TO be adopted. He
th"ught strong measures were required
THAI they had been sleeping at their posts
that from the present aspect of our po,iti
cal differences with Great Britain. the,
should have taken measures fer defence
and not have remained SO long idle. Til,
memorial had been caused by the uncer
tain language of the law, as his coleagu,
had informed the House, by VIII Oh somt
persons had suffered considerable losses
some had considered it as safe, and SOM
As unsafe 10 import certain articles. HI
hoped the memorial would be referred t
committee, who need not report till TN,
probable issue OF events were ascertained
Ii II were qaestiOn whether that Law
should be repealed or not, rs had been ad
mitted by the gentleman from Massachu
sets, surely there would be no improprie
~ in the petition going to that Committe
whose duly 1t would be to consider OF tn
PropTiety of the repeal.
(De6ate 10 be Continued