Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-06-13

laid to the charge OF the administration,
but to the injustice ofthe nations of the
old world, particularly the British ma
ton. Our principal injuries arose from
that nation, as France could not en-
force her DEGREES. The embargo was
a measure Of coercion, and would have
its effect on the pretended Sovereign
of the highway ofnations II seriously
affected her West-lndia Islands, aud
her manufacturers, and already the
groans Of her subjects we're heard in
her capital. we should endeavour to
bear this measure it was certainly
preferable to war ; but If the disease
could not be cured in this way, we
must eventually try other means.
Mr.. adams Of Portland. The Reso-
buttons, Sir, now under consideration,
/ embracing subjects Of vast moment,
not only as respects the country at
large, but particularly the section CT the
Union where reside, l cannot, in JUS
tice TO my own feelings, and to the opin-
ion Of my immediate constituents, be
satisfied with giving silent vote on
this occasion.
shall pay no attention to the charg-
es which are preferred against the adj
vocate Of these resolutions-snch as
that they are introduced with views, in
}mical 70 our goyernment-with an
intention 70 embarrass and oppose the
administration. Suffice it, in answer
to this 20 say, with regard TO myself,
that believe the. Federal Constitution
to be the best form of government ev-
er instituted, and that the powers dele
gated TO Congress when exercised by
T7tse and AoHeSt men, are sufficient to
preserve our national prosperity L. the
latest period Of zine.
am willing, Sir, farther TO state,
t...rt am not il favour Of tie interfe-
renee of the state Legislatures, il ami
madvertlng Oh the acts Of the general
government, except grea: and ext,aor-
binary reasons demand il, and when
the country is placed in some new and
alarming situation. That the present
time is such, l believe there i. not a
gentleman in this House, WHO will de-
ny 10 be the fact.
At the close Of the year 1907, Con-
Gress thought proper to pass an act,
laying general and unlimited cmbar-
80. This measure met with strong
opposition, both ia point Of cxpedien-
cy and principle. have ever been OPP
posed to this step, on both Of these
grounds.
II is undoubtedly well recollectcd,
that during the last session Of the Leg
islature Of this Commonwealth, certain
Resolutions were introduced into this
House, approving of all the measures
OF the present administration, in the
management OF our foreign concerns,
but more especially and emphatically
Of this.--Belieying that the vote Oh
those resolutions was not fair and
correct expression ofthe sentiments Of
tire people Of Massachusetts,, / rejoice
that the people have, In recent in
stance, adopted means to correct that
procedure 10 them I think it is due
to support the Resolutions which | am
happy to see introduced on your Hon.
or's table.
1t is fact, sir, that at this nomeht
our ships are rotting at our wharves,
our produce perishing on our hands,
and our seamen are driven to more
hospitable shores, for the means of sup
port. But gentlemen ask, what we
want? what substitute we would have
for the embargo This is our answer.
We want a maritime protection for
our commerce we ask for adherence
TO that policy which grows out of the
nature of things, which has been test
ed by experience Of ages as alone capa-
bic of affording an honorable and eff
Gent security. We ask for such
gradual creation of naval protection
as Is warranted by the resources of the
country. But gentlemen are pleased
to ask, if we wish for navy equal to
some of the European Powers--No,