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


the prohibition Of expectation be not resiss-
tnce. in what respect can the suspension oil
importation be resistance
! listened TO the gentleman from Massa-
chusetts the other day with pain, because
he drew lines of distinction tina. ought not
20 be traced. His calculations VITA res
pect to the unequal pre- sure of the e'obar-
go, know to be erroneous. / do not mean
to deny that the measure is more oppress-
i've in some parts of the union tn M in o.
theirs bu, / will not enter into particulars,
although protest against his estimate IN
TOTO. and deny that the custom house
books or treasury reports, form true data
for calculations of the exports from the re-
spective states. But while deprecate the
existence of the embargo, trust there eX-
lists, and thai there always will exist dispo-
sition to enforce the laws of the general go
vernment. l will be one among the first,
sir, to resist a contrary doctrine. If the
laws cannot be enforced, to what purpose
are we confederated people and why have
we organized a nation 4 government ? I
will not believe that the citizens of any por-
tion of this country will rise in resistance
to the laws of the land until the fact has
actually occurred and in this point of view
iregret the Introduction of the report and
resolutions, as they lead to suggestions of a
different nature. When the case does &C.
cur, l would apply the proper remedy; /
would have recourse, sir, to the knife and
the cautery. Yet, on this account, do not
the less deprecate the embargo. 1t is a
measure runous 20 the country. In one
point of view, however, I regard it with
pleasure. 1t is a test of the patriotism and
virtue of this people. The submission of
! those VINO think worse of it than even do,
can only be regarded as proof of their will
iingness to support government-to support
1t, when that government has obviously mis-
taken their best interests. Compare the
evils OF the embargo with those of the ex-
else law ;put them in the balance and weigh
them. What is the result of each One
produced open rebellion, and rendered it
necessary to call in military authority to
support it. The f,ther OF his Country was
obl'ged to stretch forth his hand to chas-
tise his undutiful children. In the other in
stance, whatever may have been the eva
SONS OF the law, there is an ostensible sub
mission TO its provisions. The forbearance
| OF the people in the one case is not TO be
}put in competition with their conduct in the
other.
| Reviewing the policy pursued for some
time back, and which is still persevered in,
/ have been led TO inquire into the causes
(which produced the present form of govern
ment. The principal difficulty which ex.
listed under the old plan of confederation,
was the want of powers for the establish.
ment OF general and uniform commercial
regulations. The first proposition was, to
invest the old congress with authority to
Impose an ad valorem duty. The meeting
held at Annapolis, was intend principal
ny for commercial purposes: The conse-
lfattn g
winch grew out Of those propositions, was,
that we had risen TO height which no man
had expected. And now are we without
notice, withont warming, to be deprived of
all the benefits which we have heretofore
enjoyed from our wise political institutions,
and prepare Tor Chinese policy Il NAV
be r. collected, sir, wat excitement was
occasioned by imposing discriminating du-
ties upon foreign vessels; the southern peo-
I pie conceived 1t tax upon them for the be-
neht or the eastern navigation aud when
the non importation act was passed, it was
considered by the eastern section og the II.
Mon as an imposition upon them for the ad.
vantage of the southern states Could it
have been thought, sir, that there would
have been a combination between the north
and the south 10 cur up the prosperity of
The productions of our soil and of navigati.
on too Where heretofore there has been
a competition, that they should unite to de- :
stroy both, is singular. The gentleman
| from Massachusetts has spoken ieelingly
believe his representations true. hold
up my hand, sir, against the measure
l believe II may be more severe in one part
! ofthe country than in another. What is
the situation OF the tobacco planters live
IN the very centre of a tobacco country, and
can speak with accuracy. What is the
consequence of this Chinese policy Cot
on deprecated, FISH on hand unsaleable.
Aud what is the fact with regard 20 tobac.
co! There are now two crops OH nand, and
gentlemen acquainted with the culture of
taat article know the time is fast approach
ing when we must prepare for the third
crop have no disposition 70 enter into
high colored picture of the suffering of
the country; I SEE too much OF II in The
part from which come. It's doporable
that is enough.
Perhaps it may be said, that whatever
! oblecto4i there may be to the two first re-
solutions, there can be none 70 the final one
/ What is 1t Twin brother to the first. wiz
! you refer it TO a committee to draft a bill
DO you mean 70 dispose of the first i'm the
same way, or will you engraft it in your sta
ute book And at the same time prepare
no measure Of aggre ssion upon the enemy
! IL man is insalted beyond the power Of
Iioroearance, he prepares for delence. He
] IL