Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-03-11


Grand that Spain is the ally of France,
and that of course what operates on Spain.
operates ON France. This law will there
fore operate equally on those powers even
in this respect. There is not therefore the
least foundation for the assertion that the
embargo is calculated to favor France. III
there were no other data to Judge them
from bu, the effects il must have on that
power and her allies, who derived the grea-
test advantage from our neutral trade, the
thing is unfcasible and absolutely abused.
No man OF sense can suppose that France
would wish or dictate a measure that would
produce as great, If not greater injury to
herself than to- her enemy. Such suppo-
sition would be next to madness. From
these considerations, it would be supposed
that no man, who had made himself in any
degree acqu .nted with the situation of this
country in regard to the belligerent powers,
and had considered the effects that this
measure would have on them, could for a
moment entertain the opinion, or even ha-
lard conjecture that it was adopted un
der the influence ofany foreign power, much
less under that of France. The allegation
is so wild, so inconsistent in itself-so des-
titrte OF the least semblance of probability,
and altogether unsupported by the least
shadow of proof, that nothing but the bas-
est maiignity of heart could engender and
publish SO shameless, foul and Infamous a
fa!sehood, and yet, sir. said Mr. Campbell.
1t has been echoed on this Hoor--sounded
in your cars in the frantic strains of ra-
wing maniac, and in the discussion of sub
iect, no WAYS calculated TO excite such ex-
traordinary passions. Hence it may be
supposed it was I premeditated scheme to
seize on that occasion in order to give vent
10 those vindictive passions against the GO
vernment and the republicans ofthis nation,
which seem entirely to occupy and engross
the minds of certain persons In noticing
what was said by the member from New
York, I beg to be understood, al not consi
tlering these statements as deriving any sort
of consequence or temperance from him who
made them here. 1t is not on that account
that they merit or receive the least notice.
That person can only be considered as the
mere conduct used by those behind the
screen to convey these groundlcss ISLANDERS
&C. the pubhc-the common trumpeter who
gives no importance 20 what he makes pub
lie, except what is derived merely from
the place he occupies, or the duties assigned
him to perform. 1t is not therefore appre-
hended thaI what has been said on this oc-
casion by that member will make any other
or stronger impressions on the public mind
than was made by the same tale, when ham
dcd to the public through the medium of
party or hreling newspapers.
With regard to the objections made to
the subject before you they seem to be foun-
dcd in error, and in not attending to or I'M
Outstanding the object of the embargo. 1t
is objected that this bill is intended TO epe-
rate as a non-intercourse BILL The embar-
so was certainly intended to operate as a
nmn-exportation law no man ever denied
this; otherwise we could not keep our mer-
chandse at home; and it is as important
TO prevent its being exported by land as ii is
by wafer. The object of this law is TO dc
equal justice to all parts of the union, and
rot pei nit those in one part 10 have mar
ket, Of which those in another part are de-
prived and that Operating tn defeat the
very object of the embargo. No honest man
cn wish to do injustice he could not wish
70 favor one part of the country at the ex-
pensc of all the rest
Mr.. Campbell said he had not particu-
larly attended to the details of the bill, the
principle he considered correct, which was
to make the embargo bear equally on all
parts of the union. The member from N.
York said we were rivetting chains on the
people No, sir, said Mr.. G.. we are not
rivettiug chains on them we are using our
best eudeavors 10 vindicate their rights ;
but those who oppose the true interests OF
their country ON every occasion in their
power, are rivetting OIL themselves chains
Of infarny that they never can shake of.