The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-05
DOMESTIC.
EXTRACTS TO THE EDITOR OF rnEAu
Washimgton, Wednesdsv, Dec. IS, 1897.

| communicated confidential message to con-
gress, recommending the embargo. The sub
ject was imWedatcly taken into considcra-
ton with closed doors, when Mr. RaudoLIh
OF Virginia, moved that an embargo be laid
on all shipping, the property of citizens Of the
United States, now IN port, or which shall
hereafter arrive, and other motions were
made By different gentlemen, and little orno
opposition was made to an embargo OH that
| day, from amy quarter but the house was
engaged some time In discussing whether the
embargo should be laid by resolution or bill
1t was stated by Mr.. Crowninshield of Mas
sachusetts, that he was prepared with re-
! solution tor laying an embargo upon oil reg
| SETS III the u. States and going INTO ali the
details, with proviso that nothing in the re-
solution should be construed to prevent the
departure OF any foreign ship or vessel, eli
ther III ballast, or with the goods, wares and
merchandise, on board of such foreign ship oi.
vessel, Gfter icing notified Of tAe- res9E4Ef-
on meaning TO allow such vessels to go away
when they pleased, but interdicting fhenr
from taking on board any near goods. This
| resolution, find, was similar in substance TO
bill then under discussion in the senate and
it appears to be similar also TO that passed in
1894, except the proviso, which was not con-
tanned i'll the resolution of ga
Livery member seemed impressed with
the recession OF laying an embargo, and do
not recolcct any gentleman speak ing against
1t; they differed only as to the form OF get
ting at the object; the house was relieved
from this dilemma about O'Clock, by receiy
ing bill from the senate exactly in the form
OF the resolution offered by MIR Crownin-
shield.
g Mr.. Randolph offered a new section to
the bill, obllging registered vessels, to give
bond when going from one port to another in
the United States, to IRELAND their careocs in
this country. The house adjourned at la
ter H2ur than usual, without coming to any
decision.
g On Friday the subject took an entire new
direction. 1t was then discovered that the
embargo would operate more seperely on G.
Britain, and less f'Jur1ousiy on France, and
the different nations connected with her
Having made this notable discovery (Which
by the bye, had no real existence the en-
barge Was opposed by some of IT'S former ad-
vocates who now said it was dictated by
.Nafo(eon the !grCat--that it would ruin US
that it would strike vitality at Great Britain
that 1T was war measure--that it was indeed
an engine OF destruction to ourselves, and
marvellous to relate, that it was calculated
to throw the nation into the scale Of France.
Ill oppositlontoa power whoSc n0vV alone Afe-
Uented or being s7gGLiowed ah! Il nQyy
7Ohich stood as tie only barrier between as
aud universal dominion, aimed at us by the
SiIlJCiOi VI FRANCE
These arguments were rebuttcd, and
their tailacy exposed by many members
The contradictory conduct of the minority.
too, was considered as most extraordinary il
was observed, that gentlemen whowere warm
III favor OF the measure on FRIDAY, became
on Saturday, as ardent against it. 1t was pro-
we'd that 1t was measure of defence, and of
the hrst law Of nature, that of self-preserva-
uon-that 1t was nat dictated by France that
/ Il MS Orln lt.gur e.,
tWould be more injurious not to accomplish
| it-that it was worse to all the belIigereut
nations that it must he Considered as a pre-
cautlonafy step to SHUc our 8edHpen, shih8 &
| froferty, from the fangS of foreign cruisers,
! 1t VIII be unnecessary to go into further par
tcnlars, as 1t seXpected the subject, in some
form or other, viii be noticed in the house.
when the members viii explain the ground
of their votes publicly Mr.. Biackiedge from
North-Caroliaa, offered an amendment on
Saturday, which, if it had been agreed to,
world have given our whole trade to the Bri-
ASH shipping, measure more grating to
our feelings, or more ruinous TO our legitimate
! trace, coutdneverbe propo, ed. We adjourn
ed at late hour that evening, without COM
ing to a final decision on the question.
On Monday the opposition went ovcrthe
same field OF argument-the federal mem
| oers were vociferous, called for more pa
Pers and accused the majority of bending the
proud neck of the nation, to the imperious
mandates of Bonaparte.
mir BlacSledge' motion, varied in form.
| but not in substance, was disagreed to bv a
large vote. The floor was occupied nearly
II hours; for it was deemed to be of great
consequence to take the question on that even
ing as it was understood in congress, that
the Brihsh minister had said, that lie k1e7p
7oe 7oere discussing tie e,rhedicncy If an
embdrgo, that he had known it several dolls.
and had sent Of his diahafchc8 giving notice
OF it mo doubt to the British consuls in the
! scaports)
"Ihe question was taken on the bill at II
O'Clock at night, and carried 50 to ~, and
| adjourned Immediately, after a most fatie1iinc
sitting of IL hours. The majority lost votes
/ Of fcnt!emcn favorable to the measure. bv
fatigue and sickness, among them was Mr.
Macon the former speaker, who was decid-
edly in favour of the embargo, and support
cd 1t by an able speech; ne was toomuch in
disposed to stay out at so late an hour
The bill, as amended, went to the senate
onFuesday morning, and was returned in A.
boat an hour, that body having agreed TO all
the amendments of the other house. and If re-.
) ceived the signature of the President about
noon, and the house Immediately after took
oil the Injunction Of secrecy on all the prc-