Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1808-01-22

authorities in laying an embargo
We fell f1tteredb by the confidence which
they reposed in u patriotism and self
denial, and we hereby beg leave to as
sure the General Government, that this
step meets our warm appreciation.
Resolved unanimously, That the &C.
neral Assembly penetrated with a most
aGectionate regard for the welfare of our
Common country, and viewing with in
dignation the insults and injuries which
have been offered to Us, hereby solemn!
ly pledge the whole energies ofthis COM
monwealth to the support of such mea-
sures as may be adapted to produce an
honorable peace, or avenge the injured
| honor OF these states.
ResoIVcd, That the Governor Of this
state be requested to transmit forthwith
to the President Of the u. States a copy
OF this resolution.
MIR. MoIand moved that the report lay
upon the table, that gentlemen might
have an opportunity of examining it.
After some desultory remarks from
different members,
Mr.. Tucker hoped that these Resolu-
tons would be laid upon the table, that
the members might have time to delibe-
rate upon the subject. There was a ma
terial difference between the resolutions
FIRST offered, and those which were nov
before the House. The former were
general in their nature ; but these were
specific in one respect: They expressed
an appreciation Of the embargo, which
had lately been imposed. How then was
it possible for gentlemen, who may have
been able to pronounce on the first reso-
l~utions, to come 70 an immediate deci-
| sion ON those before the House! MI. T.
was willing to confess that he had nei.
ther the head nor the mind, as some
gentlemen had expressed the mselves, OF
kdetermenlng at once upon the subject.
The emoargo was AN energetic and most
important Measure. Congress had been
engaged, God knows how long, in Sc
cret session celebrating ON this subject.
They had documents laid before them,
which were not yet before this House.
How then could gentlemen pretend to
decide upon this measure, and without
having the documents before them ?
Could the members of this Legislator c
pronounce the opinion Of their constitu-
ents on the consequences of a measure,
which had not been matured, at the
time Of their eleetions9 Could gentlemen
possibly say, whatthe people Themselves
might think OF this measure: Or should
they venture to say, That a systemby which
the farmer is tossing 4 s per barrel on
his -four and the planter one half the
worth Of his tobacco, was in many res
pect the best calculated for the protection
ufthis country:
Mr.. dScher wouldbe sorry that these
Resolutions should be laid upon the Ia
hle.~ The Legislature had POSSESSED
time enough to determine upon them.
Though Congress haddecided upon the
adoption Of the embargo in closed doors,
yet It was fair to infer from the large
majority which had voted for il, that it
was fortified BY the strongest reasons.
This was a crisis which peculiarly re-
CURED adignlied expression Of the ma
tional sentiment. On the other side OF
the water, the Resolutions which had
been adopted BY the people ofthis coun.
Try, had been treated as the empty efFu.
sions OF mobs. Was it not time for the
Legislature to rem9e this idle suppo.i.
ton BY giving to these sentiments the
formal saneuon-ot their appreciation !
Did not the times call upon them to ex.
press their full determination to supper,
the rights Of their country? g.
Mr.. Waiker hadnot expected an unani.
NOUS vote on this occasion. He knew
that there was a party in this Ho use who
were decided in their opposition to the
best Interests Of their country, and apo.
Their party who were wavering in theiI
politics. He did not wish the supportal
such men. Did not the motion TO lay
these resolutions upon the table imply !
disapprobation of them? Gentlemen
+ had declared themselves in favor Of ths