The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-24
CONGRESS.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,.
DECEMBER I.
DEBATE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS.
(CoETINuEp.)

CONTINUED
(Nfr. BurgpeiPs Speech Concluded. ]
There is remark made by Mr. Canning,
connected with this subject, which deserves
a reply. He says the embargo by an unfor-
tunatc concurrence of circumstances. did
come in aid of the "blockade of the cont,
nent." ;'he minister would find a very ma
tural solution for this mystery, if he would
only recollect the " unfortunate concur
renee" in point of time of the extension of
the French decree and his orders against
neutral commerce. But, sir, the embargo
was materially unlike the blockade of the
continent, inasmuch as British goods were
not excluded from your ports, and conse-
quently Ibid not come in aid of it." | "a
gain disclaim all identity in the cause
or concurrence in the view of the French
emperor. My ground was exclusively A.
merican: asked no surrender of British
rights. How far the effects of this measure
have been defeated by events in this coun-
try, appears very obvious to my mind
How does it happen that Mr.. Pinkney, as
late as July, had every reason to believe
the British government would aCccde to a
proposition which has been since rejected !
How does it happen that their tone has been
so suddenly changed? This alteration could
not have been caused by the events i'm Spain.
because they were known previous to that
time, and the change was too abrupt to have
an entire connection with the state of things
in Spain and Portugal Sanguine calculati-
ons were entertained that the United States
woald be dismembered, and vour govern
mcnt destroyed. This was the common
prophecy of newspapers and pamphlets
The author of Hints 10 both P0rties," no
less man than Mr.. Marriott, ministerial
member OF Parliament, sagety remarks that
the Chief ofyour government must follow the
tfGte Of Paul, when Russia and Great -Bri-
tain were at war; that he is mistaken las
my colleague, Mr.. Randolph, declared) we
all know /; but the effects were the same as
if the calculation had been correct, because
the ministry had acted upon it, assuming it
to be fact. But this writer is certainly
mistaken in ,assimilating this government
to that of Russia. Though it would be as
easy to take OFF an individual in this coun-
try--it will be found infinitely more difficult
to effect a revolution in its policy. The
destruction If one man would not change the
temper Of the people, or alter the policy of
the national councils. While regret the
effects produced in Europe by the intempe
rance of our own people, and the shameful
misrepresentation of the papers and TO-
reign emissaries, am far from question
ing the right OF the people in every section
OF the country to speak what language, and
to give what intelligence they please to TO
reign powers. 1t is one of the evils arising
from our political institutions, but which is
| counterbalanced by the good effects which
the iiberty of the press produces. 1t is how
r-lamentabe that the essential interests
of the country have been sacrificed by retar-
ding settlement of our differences
There is one fact which proves that the
calculation OF the British government on our
division has been decisive in her councils
mean the proclamation inviting the violati-
on OF our embargo laws-affordine a protec-
ton to those who resist the authority of the
law. Is this the conduct to be pursued to-
wards Us by nation protesting friendship
IS 1t the conduct of one civilized country Ia
another! It is not, and can only proceed from
the delusion produced by the reports of in
dividuals who have been scattered through
this country TO engender mischief Mr. Can
ming speaks this language, as if his hopes of
rebellion were contaminated. He evidently
considers us torn topieces, Incapable of resis-
lance, and obliged TO fall victim to their DO
Icy. But trust there is a redeeminp spi.
rit which will ayenge the wrongs of this in
Iured nation. There has been another ef-
feet produced by the embargo, notwithstan-
ding the shameful evasion of the law. The
price paid in the West Iudia islands for vour
products, some of which are essential to ex
istence, and all necessary to comfort this
price has been extravagantly high, and must
have been injurious to the planters, who,
while they found the means of vending their
produce limited, were compelled to pay for
articles Of foreign growth high prices, and
exchange their own below the usual price.
which even at its common standard afforded
no profit. In Great Britain herself as was
expected, the gradual advance on the price
ot all the raw materials for her manufactures
has not only embarrassed their operations.
but thrown thousands out Of employment [;
the effect has Kept pace with the exhaustion
Of the stock Oh hand when the embargo was
laid
The plan proposed by the gentleman from
New York, (Mr. Mum ford) for permitting
trade with Spain and Portugal, would be
far from affording adequate relief to the great
andimportant interests concerned. Yourex-
ports 70 Spain and Portugal donot exceed four
nii'iion Of dollars IN domestic, aud sixteen in
foreig1i prOduce. SHhfosing this commerce
free, what wou''d6c the effect Of prosecuting
81 DO you think in tue r"s's.s. state OF things