Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-12-02

ged gentlemen to rscollect that he
took the administration upon its own
grounds--upon the presumption that
't had dealt iuppartially between Great
Britain and France-Great Britain at
Temps TO prohibit all commerce with
France, aud therein had two Objects ;;
LIST. to produce discomfort among the
people of continental Europe and
2ndly, to destroy neutral commerce.
What effect has the embargo? IL is
in direct cooperation with the Bri-
ltish. Great Britain thereby enjoys
the very commerce which YOU have
thus abandoned. Bonaparte, too, is
very happy at our proceedings. The
interests of these United States had
been laid at the footstool of the Bril-
tish monarchy, and five were colonies
we coald not do more. Upon the
principle that the present policy of this
country is an abandonment of our
commercial rights, the question hung
heavy upon his palate /; but viewing
it in the light in which he had ex-
planned it, he would take it as the har-
oinger OF new day; as the beginning
OF new measure.
Mr. Quincy said he would have
closed here, il there was not at vari-
ance between toe report and the reso-
luton. The report specifically sane
tons the continuance of he embargo.
Whenever he touched that subject it
seemed as if he stood upon magical
ground-and knew not how to ex-
press his wonder. When he came
from massachusetts,, the sentiment of
repeal was universal not so much
indeed, that it would be repealed, as
that it had already been removed.
And, in addition, another sentimen.
was universally prevalent, among men
various political sentiments, which
was, that it cold not be continued.
f.! arrive here Csaid Mr.. Quincv,) and
hear the lamentations of the great in
chanter.-I feel the spell-the scene
opens-and I am called upon to for
get all my previous recollections--to
deny my senses and am informed that
the embargo may be continued, & thar
for an indefinite time: some assert
Tor period of six months, some for
o..e wear and one gentleman from
North Carolina AYERS that he would
rather have an embargo for three
wears than go to war. A gentleman
from Virginia had uttered sentiment
expressive of his wish that the embar.
go might never be taken off till the
orders and DEGREES were revoked.
Sir, is this house mad? Are gentle.
men touched with that species OF In.
sanity which we are told precedes de
slructionf Mr.. Quincy dwelt upon
the clio e dependence which the n.
=. states had upon the ocean, and o.
the terrible consequences which NIGH
result from the continuance of an un.
limited embargo. He adverted t.
some observations made by one Of HI:
colleagues when the doors were clos.
ed, wherein the gentleman had SAID
ne had travelled through New En-.
gland but had not found that the EN-
barge had produced such tragical eff
fccts as he had the honor to state
His honorable colleague had travelled
in reality from Hudson to Stock.
6ridge-from Boston to Berkshire
Iperhaps--he had gone from inn TO inn
and Found West India articles high
and home productions at reduced
price, SO that the thing was pretty wei
equalizedi But has he travelled or
our sea board! Has he visited oul
2ities generally. Has he seen oul
ships rottlDg, stores abandoned, indus.
try Paraiyzcd Hope, (said Mr.. O.,
has fed from these places. He dwel
upon the misfortunes of the mer.
chants, the ruin of the mechanics ant
observed that his powers were made,
quate truly to describe the scene. He
said other gentlemen might take their
own responsibility he should take
his the embargo could not be enfor-
ced for a material period of time Ion.
ger he meant nothing like insurrecti.
on, but adverted to very different
state of things. He believed there
was an authority superior TO that oil
congress controul of nature and
the constitution. III this BODY (said
Ihe) should decide that the atmoaphere
should not exist, that water should