Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-12-11

that the secretary OF war had informed the
Icommittee of agsressions, that the sum OF
$50 or 100000 dollars would be stuff cient
tor the expenditure OF one year, except in
case OF immediate war, when larger su III
would be necessary; and this reason had
induced the committee to wish that the
blank should nos now be filed.
MrQUINcY said, if ne had understood
tue chairman of the committee CORRECTLY,
there was some reason against publishing
the paper just alluded to; if so he did not
wish to trouble the House; but if it were
not, he hoped it would be read.
Eir BLoUNT said he had before stated
that the secretary of war had not been for
merly called upon for information, but had
communicated it verbally. Having done
so, the committee asked him TO make a
statement in general terms, as they did not
wish the enemy to know what particular
species OF fertilization might be contem-
plated. IF it should lie thought that the
tIonse should have information from the
department of war, Mr. b. hoped the Sc
cretary would be called upon to furnish il,
mat he might give it more formally than
was contained in this paper. The COM
miJtee had adopted the course Of verbal
communication, because il had been pur-
sued by similar committee ut for
iner session the statement contained in
tins paper was very informal, and he ho
ped 1t would not be printed in that state.
Mr COOK was opposed 10 filling the blank
at this time from want of information. He
wished to see statement OF the sums that
woGli be necessary TO pus every part of
the y. 3 in SUCH a state of defence as that
embraced by the resolution. If gentlemen
III.
their fingers. they would find that the sum
Of 10000 dollars was by no means sufi-
Gent. As he thought it probable they
might receive more information before It
was necessary to fill the blank in the bill,
he hoped the SUM would be agreed to at
this time.
Mr. MAsTERs. 7 am happy that this
subject is before the committee OF the
whole House, which has been too often and
| too long neglected. Tho I moved that the
| blank DE filed With the sum of ffteen hun
dred thousand dollars, vet think that sum
TOO s'nuii to fortify, efficiently, oar exten-
ded sea coast; hut suprose It is as much
as can Be economically and advantageous
ly expended in one year
believe the policy this nation azS pur-
sued Ought 70 he sbandoned. I do not
mean to criminatc the administration.
believe the governments and those who have
administered il, have dealt Justly with ali
nations, accepting n1tionalius'ice in retnrn;
am convinced that nationsl justice and ma
t'onal friendship are idle as the wind that
blows, and that there is no such thing as
national Justice 20 be expected IN times
like these. We must depend on our own
strength, and not on national Justice. Our
government have calculated on preserving
peace BY pursuing 4 fair and impartial
neutrality. and that those difficulties which
might arise between us and any Of the Fu-
ronean powers, might be amicaby settled
and adjusted by friendly negotiation. Il
/ we turn cur attention 20 the conduct of the
! European powers, the stronger iowa dsthe
weaker, It will prove iucontestibly that
national Justice is ~ an end. What has
| been the national justice ofFrance towards
| Holland, Prussia, all the petty states OF
Germany, Italy, aad in short all the pow
ers Of the continent! 1t is conquest, do
minjan, and tearing up by the roots every
reStige Of civil liberty, and annihilating
The uacional rights Of hose powers.
| The national justice of G.. Britain in In
liza has extirpatcd every prince aud nation
IN that quarter; and what has been her
national justice towards Denmark Fjsto-
ry docs not give IN account of such base
conduct as the attack on Copenhagen. A.
rHerjca herself has not kept a more fair
and impartial neutrality than Denmark,
such Is the national justice between the ra-
lions Of Europe Notw ,thstanding the go
lvcrnment of this nation has with honest
sincerity, dealt Justly towards all nations
who will seek in vain to find a single act oil
aggression on our part, let US see what
Kind of national justice we have received
in return. Spain has violated her faith
refused indemnity for spoliatious commit.
Ted on our commerce, actually invaded OH
territory by an armed force, and hermi.
mister countenanced in insulting our go.
lvernmcn; and country.
IL we turn to France we shall find she
has, under the curtain, pricked up SPAR
Ito commit uTwarrantablc aggressiOns, am
lhcr privateCTsmen have now aud then suns
I.Te Dcum on board of some OF our most va
liable merchant ships and condemned
lthrm.
If we turn to G.. Britain, we shall 6nt
her return Of national justice and friend
ship is ny attacking one Of our armed vessel
end shedding the blood of or countrymcn
will not dwcll on this subject Of the fri
Icate Chesapeake, so well Known can
not speak or reject on the subject witnou
Indignation. She has almost ruined ou
: commerce in the Mediterranean seas sh,
has captured our vessels bcund to ANTWERP
in French Flanders, and 20 the ports il
. Holland, France and Spain; she has block
AIDED our ports, pressed our seamcn, VIC