Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-12-09

!" VIC h'S"u'n III FRANCE 70 enforce the
Berlin decree and in the British procla.
nation relative 10 her sea,nen. Wna,s.sr
m y have been said to h,. coma v. ,b~
orders IN council were not known IN this
country at the time the embargo was laid.
They had, IN fact, never been mentioned.
Mr. Randolph concluded by expressing
the satisfaction he enjoyed in The con,
seriousness OF having had no hand in bring.
iog the country into its present critical
posture, and that he would not EXCHANGE
his feelings in that respect for any con-
sidera'ion whatever.
Mr.. Troup. am happy, sir. that RI.
gentleman from Virginia and myself
agree as to one thing-the pressure of
the embargo on the southern states
1t is a tact that they have not suffered
less than other parts of the un;,n
But whilst differing on this point win
the gentleman from Massachuset,s
{ Mr.. Quincy regret extremely tba1
| must differ on another point with nv
friend from Virginia (Mr. Randolph
do not conceive that the embar-
go has reduced us to state of d.
graduation, nor is it an act of suh
mission. Whatever may have been
the object of the executive in recon-
mending it, it was supported By me as
a measure of security and of coerci.
on. 1t IS not sacrifice of rights. but
resistance. Commerce, sir, is the
life-blood of England. Upon that rests
her riches, her prosperity and her
grandeur. The gentleman from Mas
sachusetts says we have retired from
the ocean, and abandoned trade to G..
Britain. But what trade did we leave
her? To what regions does her ma
vigation extend? Merely from port
to port other own dominions. France.
by her DEGREES, had shut her out from
the continent of Europe, and deprived
her OF commerce TO the value OF
100000, 900: and our embargo has
robbed her of fifty millions of dollars
worth more. What trade have we to
enjoy Take off the embargo to NOR
row, and you have not open to you
vent for more than 100000 of dol
lars. And for this paltry sum shall
we surrender our rights? 1t is said
the people of the southern states are
enemies to commerce. Sir, this idea
is founded in pitiful, contemRtible
Jealousy. How can it be supposed
those are enemies to commerce who
raise seventy millions weight of cot
ton annually for expectation? | will
venture to say that Georgia is willing
to risk as much as any portion of the
union in vindication of commerce; and
when the attack was made upon the
chesapeake, believe, sir, she was
ready to go somewhat further than o.
theirs. Compare the depreciation of
price In the two great staples of the
eastern and southern sections of the IL
Mon. The ordinary price of cotton
is from eighteen to twenty dollars, the I
embargo price is from ten to twelve
the customary price of rice is from
five to six dollars per cwt. the embar-
go price is from two to three. Two !
very different views have been given +
of the temper of the eastern people
one gentleman had told us Of the uni
versal prevalence of disposition not
TO endure the measure, whilst another
wi more likelihood has stated the
existence of a more rational senti-
men. Indeed, sir, fear no violent
host lities from tae auti-embargoists
They are actuated by too base a passi-
on to he formidable to the government
--th ~ are actuated by the basest Of
all passions and one brave, liberal
yeoman of Massachusetts, would drive
half dozen such fellows into the o.
cean. What singular inconsistency,
sir, is manifested on this occasion.
Two years ago these same men would K
have gone TO war for the carrying
trade now it is too triAing to merit e.
ven their resentment or attention: they
would then have gone to war for the
colonial trade but now they are con-
tented to beg little commerce from
England--they would open your ports
TO her and shut them TO France. AS
the committee says, sir, you must, in
present circumstances, have a war
with both, or an embargo. The case
has been utisrepresented to the people,
and avarice and credulity have been
made the Instruments of political ar