The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-20

more general objections brought against It
have said, Sir, that there are no substitutes
for the embargo. but zuar or submisston.-
! will now proceed to prove this position
a repeal of the embargo without substi-
tute, is submission, If with a substitute, it
is fvar-Gentlemen i'll the opposition, seem
fully sensible of the delicacy and urgency of
this part OF the question. When pressed for
their substitute, they manifest vast reluc-
lance in producing it.
The gentleman from Delaware, indeed
told us, he was not the pioneer of the admi-
nistration; never knew that he was called
upon TO act in that, character; but l hope
he viii not voluntarily act as the sapper,
nor the miner of the adj ministratiou, cspe-
cially when he must behold the administra-
ton assailed by the two most powerful bel
ligcrents iii the world, unfortunately aided
fear, too, Sir, by an host of domestic sap
pers and miners, and underminers in the
bargain. am sure, Sir, the gentleman will
not take upon himself such n character-
The gentleman, however. did not withhold
from US an intimation, at least of his sub
stitue-an intimation which could not be
mistaken. 1t was war with France. The
question, therefore, as to HIM is at an end
upon this point. War is the substitute
But, the gentleman; from Connecticut MIR
i1hinouse) alter protesting against furnish
ing any substitute, intimates merely. that
ne is IN favor OF an armed commerce.-
Why, Sir, 90 gentlemen in the opposition
manifest such reluctance in producing
substitute, if they have one? They seem to
be labnring undc,, an impression that this is
mere question, between themselves and
tne administration an unimportant questi-
on OF ms and outs. The question is certainly
OF very different description. 1t is ques-
ton between this nation, and foreign nations
a D1yn-r
tence and independence. and the dearest
ghts of the people.
Let me. tell these gentlemen, Sir, that
e people have right to demand a sub
st;tute from them, if they have one not
merely vague insinuation to fill up d chasm
III a detective argument, but a written pro-
position, reduced to form, presented for Sc
r'ous consideration; that every word may
be examined, & all its bearings seen; then,
9'i, we should be in state Of preparation to
make choice between such substitute, and
the measures of the administration.
BESIDES, Sir, if this obligation were disre.
garuef, every rule of criticism, every princ-
pie. OF common sense would require \ sub
stitute. If you criticise upon a sentence in
writing, the criticism is incomplete until
you shew better. In law pleadings, if Won
OBJECT to plea, as defective, YOU arc bound
to show better And, certainly. Sir. the
magnitude of the question, does not Lessen
the Obligation imposed by the ordinary rules
OF common sense. Again, Sir. hard
~ could have supposed, that gentlemen of
such iofty Pretensions to wisdom and talents
Wonid have contented themselves with the
humble ONCE OF finding fault, without fur
InlshlnS the proper correction This mac
tive conduct, this doing nothing for the peo.
pie, in these dangerous and critical times,
can furnish but poor claim to the peoples
gratitude and applause.
| But, Sir, 1 will consider the pentlem,n,s
substitute, even with the glimmering view
OF 1t, which he has presented His s,bsti
tute is an armed commerce Would he ex-
tend it to acts of reprisaI! If so, it is i'm
mediate war. Would he stop short of that
lt would still be war; but of more inefIj-
cient KIND. III eur vessels are to arm, 7 pre-
sumo their arms are to be used in seif-de-
renee they would be used against both the
beihgerents In the present temper of Great
Britain, the first gun fred in spirit of hos
tillty, even with blank cartridge or if i,
were pop gum. would be instant war. Il
wou'dbe the signal to her navy to seize up-
on the whole of orr commerce, which would
De spread upon the ocean, the moment of
raising the embargo The gentleman's sub
stitute, | therefore believe to be war. and
war of the most efficient kind. A repeal of
the embargo without substitute is su;,D1js-
sion-Submssion to what to colonization
to taxation, to tribute =!
mat this is the true character of the Br;
fish orders and acts of parliament, we not
only know from the measures Themselves
Dut we know 1T W IS understood i'm the Rri
tish parliament, at the time of their adoption.
AS an evidence of this fact, let me cali vour
! most serious attention, Sir, to som. of the
observations made Impairment, at the time
OF their adoption, particularly the observa
lions OF Lord Grenvilie 81 the House OF I,ords
His lordship said, "as to the duties pro-
posed to be cvied under these orders of
council. he should only say, that when the
pc &C of 1882 took place, lie never thought
that he Shond have lived, orthat the British
parliament should have lived to see the dav
when a Proposition should be made To tax
America :" And when similar suggestion
was made in the House OF Commons what
was ldr. Canning's reply ? Did he drny
the object No, sir But be ;ged the gen
tlemen in the opposition not to tell The se-
cret to the Americans Hash. gentlemen.
was. III substance, his reply I'hus add ug
indignity and insult 20 the arrogant preten,
sion. Upon this part of ,he subject, I shall
make no Comment 1t is impossible tn i'm
prove the eicquence of this parliamentary
language 1t must strike deep into the
heart OF every true American
The gent cman from Connecticut (Mr.
81 y .,..~