Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-26

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
AFFAIRS OF AMERICA

go a - w N u
la The House of Lords on the 18Th of
february, while the orders of Council were
IN consideration, Lord Auckland said, do
noble lords recollect the nature and extent
ct he connection of this country with A.
m@rica! Have they well weighed The i'm
rHense advantages we derive from that in
tercourse! Do they bear in their minds the
amount of the imports by America from
this kingdom Have they seriously cnn
sIdefed what the consequences of run
ture with America must be to SO many
descriptions OF persons in this country :
Have they examined why the last We a.
mas brought such an accession to our ex
ports, and have they not discovered that
the main source from which that increase
oil commerce has sprung, was the coudi.
ton in which America stood between the
two belllgerens, and the facilities VIII cb
IL AFFORDED TO enrich us by enriching A
merica. lfnoble lords have seriously Iurn.
cd All these considerations in their mind.
and yet feel NOT the impoIicy of these or
ders IN council, their mind, must be very
differently organised from his.
Noble lords, he observed, would also.
please 10 take into their consideration the
endless embarrassments ia which peu,rals.
but particularly Americans must be inyoI.
we'd, by the crossing provisions and enact
ments OF these orders, They varied &c.
cordng to the nature of the careoes, and
The place for which they were destined -
Whatever may be the nature of their car
goes or the course of their destination.
thsy must all come first to England, and
DC subject TO duty in this country, be fore
they proceed to any other destination.
The certificates Of origin were also liable
10 the most serious objections in short.
the orders of council appeared to him to
De contrary TO every law to be as irrecon-
c'I@ble with policy as with justice.
Lord Erskine obserYed-Should we he
involved IN rupture with America, VITA,
mIsiortunes must there not arise from
u was already acknowledged on both sides
of the house, nat oar inteccouTse with ali
America was main source of our COM
merciai prosperity. Shall we ourselves
dry 1t up. Shall we be instrumental in
Impoyerishing America, the whole OF hose
wealth flowed into this country! Shall
our violence compel her 10 turn Der
Thoughts to the creation Of a navy and
manufactures, contrary 10 the wise advice
81 Washington, and thereby FIX her atten~
tIoD on what may afterwards be turned 10
our dcstrueiionl Why not rather lend
America the protection of our navy, and
enable her TO accumulate The wealth which
viii soon How back to enrich ourselves.
Government had it still in its power 10
perform spontaneous a6t, and iecall what
ever measure had been adopted inimical
to the interests Of America. He implored
them TO do so, he felt all the value Of our
friendly intercourse with the u. Slaies,-
10 cultivate and improve that connection,
should be our anxious study and incsssant
care.
Lord CTenEille again said, - There could not
De rational hope entertained that America
wouo submit 70 this measure, He thoueht
rupture With America would be one Of the most
ruinous external calamities that could befaI This
country, and was ready 20 make any elT5.t 10 ore
Vent y. II they had then 70 discus the propri
ely ct the measures that had been taken. he was
sure they would never sanction them v,,th ,bei,
appreciation. Blu his msesty's servants had Ia
Ken the whole responsibility upon thcmselves. and
done away the elaboration Of parliament. Thev
mad now nothIng to do bur to tread hack Their
steps, and not 10 continue IN error 70 avoid the
shame OF re,raction. Il was not from, auv die
trust ofthe resources Of the country that he feaY
GO ruptsre with AmcTioa, but because war with