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

nave QOuOtcu TIC POItCt VI kniS SprClhc
measure, and I thought it perhaps i'm
proper and adopted at an improper time.
But l express little more than my doubts
on the subject. These are the opinions
Of a man who feels no other interest than
for his country's welfare and independ.
enee.
MIR. Smith observed that after so many
excellent speeches which had been deli
veted, he had but a few observations to
offer. He rose only to explain some of
his remarks, which had been misunder.
stood by hN friend from Frederick. He
was sorry that gentleman should think
tia, he ever intended to denouuce him,
for any Of the opinions which he had ex-
pressed. He had never entertained the
idea which that gentleman had ascribed
to him, that the measures Of governments
were too sacred to be the fit subjects for
investigation. As citizens, IS mem.
bcrs of a deliberative body, they could
not be too vigilant in their observations
nor could they tot zealously attempt to
examine the measures adopted by the
government. This was his idea ; that
they were not now sitting a. the legisla.
ture of the u. s. they were not laying an
embargo: they were o enumerating
all the grievances which they had sus-
tanned from G.. Britain. They were
merely called on to pronounce their ser.
timents on a measure, which had been
already adopted by the U. S. and which
had been so frequently canvassed in this
state for the last eighteen months. They
were not now called upon to discuss this
measure again, but merely to szPtsss
their previous sentiments. He had>al-
ways thought the conduct of one branch
Of this Legislature during the last winter
to be censmable, in having so elaborate.
ly discussed the specific measures adopt
ed by Congress. Mr.. S. obseiv we'd that
It never was his temper or disposition to
hurl denUneiations at any man. He was
too deeply conscious Of his own imbeeil-
lities to pursue that course. But he
should ever think himself at liberty to
denounce those measures which, he deem.
ed e%nexpedient and to approve those
which were proper The grhtlem an from
Frederick had taken a very wide latitude
in his objections to the embargo. IL
was not his intention to- fellow him thro'
all ofthsm. But he should say that Willis
the embargo opens an ample door for
it provides ample means
for the prevention Of future controver.
sizes. Mr.. S. hoped 1hat this House
would not suppose Tie address to CON.
tain particle Of party spirit. 1t call.
on them merely to rise in the defence
OF their common country. Aud he hop
ed that not one member would be found,
oppose it.
Mr.. Barbour observed that IT wa. ho-
nourable to every man, to express his,
sentiments with independence. And.
should never dream of denounciuc a.
ny man, merely because that man did
come within his sphere Of Opinions.
He believed that difference of opinion
was absolutely necessar, to elicit truth. :,
and last of all he should ever have ,ho',
OF denouncing and su.pecting the mo-
tIves OF the gentleman from Frederick
! nat gentlem nan had declared mt ~
would have called Congress together,
after the attack On the Chesapeake. But
policy Of the administration displays
that superior wisdom, which uniformly
sharae.erises their proceedings. The
feelings OF America were then an;,...d
We were ready at once to unshesthe the
sword and plunge into the ealamitie. Of
war;. The policy Of the administration.
watts best We viii inhibir the n
trance OF her armed vessels into our
ports: We viii send OF dispatches to
enquire whether this outrag: was coun-
tenahced ey the British governmeu..-.
rernaPs It was an Unauthorized act
Shall two nations be plunged into a war
Tor the misbehayiour of such officers"
But when the government founath the
AN