The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-06

~ 10.
wisdom Of tl,e Government msy vet srd NESTS
I" avoathe necessity of elee,nns between these
great public cdarnities. II, however, this severe
necessity exists in regard to Great Britain, they
are lee. by the Message to presume it results, in
great measure il not intir,t& from the determi-
nation OF the Executive to adhere to the procla-
nation of JUL, 1907, interdicting all British ships
OF war from the waters of the U. States; which
has been, and as we infer forr, the message, is
still deemed by the British government u mea-
sure so inhospitable and offensive, if not hostile
m its character, as 10 from an iasuperable obsta
Gle to amicable adjustment. Upon this delicate
and important subject the Committee are far
from asserting, that the attack on the irigate
Chesapeake did not justify the original issuing
OF this proclamation, and enforcing il so long as
me injury might be presumed to have the sane
ton II the British government. But rs this vio-
'auon OF neutral rights w@s promptly and expli-
city disavowed by the Sovereign Of The ag.,res-
sor, before the Inconsistencies of the measures
otour government could he known as the right
to search our national ships was expressly dis
claimed, AND special envoy tleputcd for the pro-
fesse,i object OF making to government full.
| satisfactory, and public reparation on the Single
condition OF previous revocation of this proci:,-
nation your Committee are consi. aned to de
clare their opinions, tliat such revocation, un-
| der such circumstances, would not have involv-
ed any dishonorab,e concession, nor an abandon
ment OF amy just right or pretention, but would
have been full, reasonable and macnanimous
pledge of the sincerely os the American Cov't to
Restore the accustomed! relations ofpesce and ami
| ty between the two countries. The course muss
have compelled the B. Envoy to have offered that
ample and honorable rcparation, which would
have been deemedby our owu nation and by the
world, an adequate atonement for the outrage ;
oriHye Justified, in the event of its refusal, not
only the renewal or the proclamation, but the a.
nf he sfi
| hostile description
But even on tile presumption that the course
adopted by the government, in refusing 70 revoke
tne reclamation rs a preliminary to ali as ,ust-
ment oil that controversy be sanctioned by the IL
sages of nations, and Tie Justice OF our claims :
your committee still ofopinion that a punciil-
nous a.h-.-:11 - Grpsurna,ic forms and prece-
dent should not be maintained at the RISK OF war,
| by nation whose genius and policy are pacific i;
and which while Justly Jealous of the national no.
nor AND independence, looks principally to the
substantial security OF the blessings, and regards
as Insignificant those petty contentious which ORR
ginating i'll courtly pride and vanity, frequently
terminate in bloody wars. And they therefore
think that this Proclamation ought not, in the
present situation of Europe and this country, to
remain as the only, or even as the Principal bar
rier to the restoration of our amicable relations
with the British Nation.
| Your Committee therefore ask leave to report
TIC ioiioWmS Resolutions
| Resofuea, That the Senators of this Common
| wealth i'll Congress BE- instructed, and the Re-
representatives. tlereofrequested to their most
strenuous exertions to procure an immediate re-
peal OF the various laws imposing an Embargo on
the ships and vessels of the United States IS
the only equal and effectual means of afiording
permanent relief to the citizens of this Common
wealth from the aggravated evils which they
| now experience.
| Resolved, That although thisI. legislature would
cheartully support the government in the prose-
cutlon OF 4 just and necessary war, yet they can
not perceive the necessity intimated in the Mes
sage ofthe President to Congress, of continuing
the Embargo, or resorting to (; that it is not
the policy of the United States to engage in =
controversy with any nation, upon points ofde-
piomatic usage, or equivocal right, provided sub
stantia reparstion for injuries can be obtained (;
and that the revocation of the Proclamation in
terdicting the British ships of war from our wa
tiers ought in the opinion Of the Legislature to
be deemed an inadmissable preliminary which
should obstruct the adjustment of the controver-
| ~ between the u. States and G.. Britain
the House Of Representatives., Nor. Is, 1903,
| Read and corrected-Sent up for concur
renee.
TIMOTHY BIGEI.OW, Speaker
| IN Senate Nov. 16, 1903.
Read and concurred. II. C. OTIS, President.
| The Resolutions were carried in the House
yeas $50 nays 147. Majority 80. They are
noVv with the Governor, and the Legislature
meet this day to receive them with his signature
or objections. The court rises to day.
ANSWER