Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-12-02

dependence. The real QUESTION he said was,
shall we govern ourselves o. be subject to
the will of others?
Mr.. Mumford, though approving of the
general spirit oe the report, had not assem-
ted to all its particular notifications. He
hoped we should all unite to promote union
in the country. He conceived that the re-
solution which he had heretofore had the
honor 10 propose was consonant to the in.
structions which had been given 70 our MI
nisters in France and Great Britain. He
was willing to continue the embargo as it
respected both those powers, and would con-
sent to inflict upon those who should trade
with either the most severe penasties.-For
his own part he took American ground
He wished the country to be put in state
of defence, but really could not see why we
should restrict ourselves from trading with
powers. who had not violated our rights and
vino did not act agreeahlv 20 the French
and Engi h orders and DEGREES, or declare
ourselves ar enmity with all the world, and
so have no friends at ali He admitted that
Great Britain might be supplied wiik cur
produce indirectly, il the embargo were e.
ven partially repealed bu. he did not re-
gard so much the e ct upon foreign natl
ons, as he was desnrus of relieving his own
country. We were 70 have no loaf at all,
1t seemed, because other powers took
slice Mr.. Munford adverted to the mag
nanimity of the Spanish patriots, who h.
said, mer.ted return Of good Offices from
America They had annulled Bonapartr' s
decree, and LIBERATED cur vessels and not.
withstanding there was reason from the ex.
stence of our embargo TO expect prohi
bition Of the payment of debts due to Amc-
rcans at the Havana, yet the vessels which
a1 tod So. -.
purpose under executive licences, to the a.
mount of about fifty, had met with success,
the Spaniartls having been compelled by
their government to make payment.
He then spoke Of the evils which the re-
cent revolution in Mexico had saved us. de-
claring his belief in the probability that had
it not occurred, New Orleans by this time
would have been in the hands of Napoleon.
He mentioned the arrival OF French off i.
Ger from Italy Ut being fact communica-
ted to him IN confidence, bu, his love of coun-
try induced him 10 mention il, without re-.
ferring to names) who had travelled thro'
the union with great privacy, and who, af.
ter conference with Gov. Grad Pre-, at
Baton Rouge, had repaired To he borders
OF Mexico, and having reached the Spanish
lines, put OF his regimentals with intenti-
on OF taxing command OF that country, but
was Immediately arrested by ,he Spanish
authorities. These particulars were sta.
ted by Mr.. Mumford with the view to shew
the dangers which the United States were
! subjected 10 from French machin ati1ns, and
the advantages which had A wed to us from
the Spanish revelation, and that we ought
TO profit of the markets which that eveGt
had opened to us. He quoted the several
| items from a general statement of the a.
! mount OF our expectations tending to she W
;hat there were still avenues II trade If we
would resort TO them; and concluded with
| a general observation that we were a young
nation and ought u be cautious what steps
we take IN commercial point view
! Mr.. Quincy, after making some observa-
tons on the nature of legisiatng upon alb
ssract propositions, remArking that they
we're TOO oi-en the resort OF weakness or ie-
norance, and so calculated to amuse or de :.
! lude the people, that he could SC rcely ad :.
mist himself to enter upon the cor sderation
OF them, said lie DID not know bur what the
resolution before the committee was uncx.
lceptlonable, and that he S.lol d support II.
bu' you'd give h,s vJte upon e,rounGs very
J different from what had been assumed in
] the report. lr was d rule of the house. he
sad, that any member might vote for a re-
solution, ndepe ndently OF any reasoning
which might be contained in a report thai
preceded It, and he should avail himself OF
rhat privilege. The principle upon which
ne should vote for the resolution was, tina,
u contained solemn pledge to this nation
not 10 be mistaken, and not to be redeemed
u any other way than by a tota! abandon
ment OF the present measures of govern.
ment. Adopt this resolution (said Mr.. o.,
and submission to orders and DEGREES is Al
an end. The resolution contained two things
--an assertion and pledge. The ASSERT.
ON 49, that the orders and DEGREES are con.
trary to the rights Of the American peo.
| pie; the pledge is, that we will nor sub.
! init. AS 10 the assertion, Can there be any
question The belligerent powers do no,
pretend tovindicate their Entertainments as
their own rights they ground them ON ne.
cessty and their ministers here would
+ countersigA such declaration tomorrow.
| And IS to the pledge what is meant by
submission The neutral submits when he
does that thing which the edict Commands
and he does not submit when he does not
do that thing which is commanded The
pledge, therefore, contained u the resoln.
ton, going TO An abandonment of the pres.
ent policy Is clear and ineligible.
The French DEGREES say you shall
not trade with Great Britain the B i
rish orders say you shall not trade with
France but our government by the
embargo saws you shall not trade with
/ either. This, sir, is q inv more than