Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-12-24
Senate Of the United States.
r.M,. G;lss,s Sbeecb csnsinuea. J

,.atrhful and anxious for the preserystlon
Of the persons and property OF al our lsl-
low-citizens. but particularly OF ths mer-
chants, whose property IS most exPosea -
danger, and Of the seamen whose persons
are also most exposed, recommended me
EMBARGO for the protection OF both; It has
saved and protected both. Let us now
.pn,ose for a moment, that the president,
possessed of this information, bad not ap-
nr;;ssd tire merchants and seamen OF their
danoer. and had recommended no measure
for their safety and protectlen, Wouia nc
not in that case have nlerited and received
The renroaches which the ignorance or IN
.erafitsde OF merchants and others have so
un;ustiy heaped upon him, for his judiciouls
.nd anxious attentions to their interests II
IS admitted by al, that the embargo laws 5
have saved this enormous amount OF pro
rerty. and this number OF seamen, which,
without them, would have forcihiy gone mo ,
the hands Of our enemies, to PamPeT tnelf
arrogance, stimulate their injustice, and III,
crease their means Of annoyance.
I should suppose Mr.. President, this say
;,oworth some notice. But SIR, we are
,oId that instead of protecting CT scamen
i has driven them out OF the country, aEc
;ato foreign service. Ibelieye, Sir, that this
fact is greatly exaggerated. But sir, suppose
for a moment that it is SO, the government
has done all, IN this respect, i was bound to
do. II placed these seanen in tbs bcsoms
ofthe;r friends and families, IN STATE OF
r. IS .la 4, a3ts7ssi.,
and ernigrate from their country, It was an
act of choice. not Of necessity. But what
would have been the unhappy destiny Of
these brave tars, if they had been permitted
TO have been carried into captivity. and sent
adrift onunfriendiy and unhospitable shores!
s N'hv, sir, in that case they would have had
no choice necessity would have driven
them into hard and iignominicrs service,
20 fsht she battles Of the authors OF their
dreadful salanities against a nation with
!. which their countyeRas at peace. And is
the bold and generous American tar TO De
told that lie IS to disTespcct the admlnistra-
tionfor It's anxious and ehectual attentions
10 his Interests For relieving him from
a dreadful captivity Even underth hard
ships he does suffer, and which / sincerely
regret, every generous feeling of his noble
heart would repel the base attempt with in
sd;enation. But, sir, the American searaen
have not deserted their country foreign
seanen may and probably have gone into
foreign service; and, for one, am g!ad OF
it, hope they will never return and | am
willing TO pass a law in favor OF the true
hearted American seamen, that these to
REIGN scan.en never should return. / would
even prohibit them from being employed in
merchant vessels. The American seamen
have found employment in the country; and
whenever the proper season shall arrive for
EMPLOYING them on their element, you will
find them, like true birds of passage, hover
ing in crowds upon your shores.
Whilstconsidering this part ofthe subject,
cannot help expressing my regret that at
the time of passing our embargo laws pro-
portion of our seamen was not taken into
the public service because, in my judgment
the nation required their services, and it !
would have been some alienation to their
hardships, which the measure peculiarly
imposed upon them as a class of citizens,
by affecting their immediate occupation
and the other classes, as well as the public
treasury, were able to contribute to their al J
deviation; and am willing to do the Same
thing at this time. Indeed, its omission is
the only regret have felt at the measures
of the last Congress. like the character
~ like the open frankness and the gene
rous feelings of the honest American tar
and, whenever in my power, ] am ready to
give him my protsStioa and support. One