Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-11-22
Gou1re9S.
.YoUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,
Tuesday, November Is.
EMBARGO.

EMBARGO.
Mr.. Sawyer begged leave 10 add one
more resolution TO those already before the
house On the subject of the: Embargo.
" Resolved, That it is expedient for the
United States toopen communication and
trade with the West Indies generally"
Mr.. >. said, he thought the present re-
solution would be found, when they were
NIL taken up ami examined by the house,
the least liable to exceptions of any. For
he could not go so far with trade as to vote
for the resolutions Of the gentleman from
Vermont in favor of an indiscriminate re-
peal OF the whoe embargo system neither
could lie go so far against it as 10 supper,
those of the gentlemen from Virginia FIR
tot tai n-intercourse. He thought our best
policy might be found in a medium b.twcen
he two. In the first place, The orders OF
council, which were, he supposed, prin-
cipal cause for those latter resolutions. do
not affect our West-India trade: and un-
less that trade came under the Cause which
very properly influenced the gentleman in
his intention OF suppressips our foreign
trade, he could not see the necess w Of its
being incladed in its effects. He would
mention one fact, OF SERIOUS Importance,
which was, the very great amount of
revenue which we derived fromjthat quar-
ter. BY recurring to the report of the
Secretary of the Treasury If Novem
Der last, it would be found that almost one
half our revenue arose from that trade.
He here read the report, enumerated the
different articles, with their relative a.
mount, the aggregate of which was, ST.
e03, 1875 Whether it would be prud ent
or Wise IN Us TO give up this large sum, to
dry up this genial cu,'rent, at a time when
1T was so much required to support the bo-
dy polite under It's accommodating ills, was
certainly aserious question. To these Con-
sderations OF general nature, which he
trusted would have some weight with the
house, he added another particular reason,
which had very great weight with him for
introducing tins resolution The district
he had the honor to represent, was enra
gcd exclusively in ths trade. Their sta .
lplc article, viz. lumber, was calculated for
no other market. Vast piles of that arti.
Gle had been accomplishing in The hands oil
our merchants, III payment OF their accounts
as IN ordinary cases, under a suppos ton
that some opportunity might offer of ma kim
| their usual shipments, 10y which means :.
tone would they be enabcd to comply with
their engagements. Ifthis opportunity were
now denied them, inevitable ruin must a.
vertake a considerable portion, and inf
mite injury the whole of them, as their Gre
ditOrs would see no motives Tor farther n.
diligence, would fall upon them, and the
hard earnings of m active lite would be
wrested from them for comparatively in
considerable claims. Tbs would induce
the merchant TO heap upon his customers a
share of the evils wa,ch he fei himself
he therefore felt some soiIcitude for the
fate Of his resolution.
The resolution was referred 10 the com
mittee Of the whole to whom several reso.
buttons on the same subject have been re-
ferred.
Mr.. Clopton, from the committee of re
vlsal AMI diminished business, made a re-
port in part, which was ordered to be prin
ted.
On motion of Mr. Fisk, the house came
to the following resolution -
Resolved, That "A committee be apnoin,
ed to enquire into the expediency OF Tier
ing the time and place oil hold:n,, the cir
cut and district courts OF the United States
IN the district Of Vermont, and report bv
Dill or otherwise.
CAPT. Pixies EXPEDITION.
On motion OF Mir. Montgomery, the house
adopted the following resolution
SEkeSoiVGd, hat Committee be appoint
ed to enquire whe,he any, and i auy.
@ha5 compensation ought to be made 10
Capt. Il. Va Pike and his compani1ns 70
ihelr services IN exploring The Missouri
and other rivers, &c. and that they have
leave to report by bill or herwisc.
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENTS
Ona motion of Mr.. Poindexcr. tne hause
agreed to the following resolution. Dropo-
sed by him:
Resolved, That committee he appoint
ed 10 enquire INTO the expcdiency of re
pealing Sd much Of the ordinance for the
government Of the territories of the Uni.
ied States, AS auihorises the Governors Of
the territories respectively TO prorogue and
dissolve the General Assemblies.
oeYera' Pet','ons OF private nature
were presented and referred.
THURSDAY, Nov. II.
EMBARGO