Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-10-07
Cen. S. then took an extensive view


of the embargo, too much at large for
MS to copy here. Britain, (said he) if
she ruled her actions by public, recor-
ded laws, we could understand her
conduct as well as herself, and guard
against them but she acts when it suits
her by orders from her king and .privy
council, and often wi bout notification
.--but by instructions to her admirals
and commanders, she pounces upon
the property of the neutral, like hawk
upon an unwary bird---and seizure is
the FIRST intination of prohibition or
danger! OF this nature was the or
ders in council of January 1907, which
forbade neutrals to trade from one
port TO another port of France or her
ailies---under this order above fifty or
sixty American ships were captured
by British cruizers. Then followed
the ever memorable orders of council
of November 1907, declaring all A
merican (neutral) vessels good prize,
if bound to or from France, any Of her
ports or allies :. France retaliated, and
said that an American vessel bound to
or from the British islaad, or which
should submit to be board ID bva Bri.
fish armed ship, should be good prize.
Then as Mr.. M'Kim told you, was
our commerce placed in double jeo-
pardy. But the sagacity OF a Jefferson
foresaw the coming storm he recon-
mended safety, and zoe are safe. We
resorted to an embargo, as we had
done before, to preserve our ships,
property and seamen from the grippe of
Europeanp lunderers. But am told,
this embargo is terrible measure, and
quite intoIerable. l was one of those
who drafted thepresent law; and it is
yerbatim the same with that passed in
1894, excepting that the act Of '94 was
laid for thirty DAYS, and this is indie
mite. The act of 1894 was continu.
for thirty days more ; and apower was
conferred on the President to continue
or revoke It at his will and pleasure
and he might have prolonged it for
fifteen DAYS after the commencement
of the next session of Congress
There gentlemen, there was power
for you but that Congress threw the
responsibility upon the President 80
the present Congress have, with more
magnanimity, taken it upon them
selves. -.-They speak this language to
their Constituencies II we have beha.
we'd illv, let US bear the blame; if we
have acted rightly, give ms the credi;."
do most nneqsiivooaly demand my
share OF the blame---for have voted
for the emharao!-- of all the acts
of my life, 4 think il the most patriotic
act. Some OF thew gentlemen WHO
rail against the present embargo, sent
deputation to the Congress in Phila-
delphia in 1894, requesting them TO
prolong tie embargo until England
should grant us Justice. But that
Congress was federal and the embar-
go was taken off at the end of sixty
days only !---setting dread, perni-
cious example of fckleness at home
land speaking this language most i'm
pressively TO foreign nations. +" The A
mericans are money-loving, money-
seeking, money-makin avaricious
people, who cannot bear any policy
which touches their pccket---touch
them on that tender part, and they will
yield to what YOU Will This opini-
on foreign nations have imbibed OF us,
from the policy and measures offede-
raj times.
am disappointed at not finding Mr.
Winder here for Ireally was curious
to hear what an ingenious LAWYER could
say against the embargo. / am told,
he talks of war at times as a substitute.
IF he talked of war with Britain---I
fear he would lose or offend many of
his present friends and he proposed
war against France, know not where
Frenchman could be met. If 1 were
an admiral, could not meet their
fleets at sea for most of them are ga
thered into their ports but your ships
and carpoes, if put ahoat would afford
rich spoils to their privateers. And a
gainst both France and England,
presume, he would not wage war at
once. But, why speak of England
It has been hardly asserted, that her
orders in council are not enforced---
and that no tribute is exacted under