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

and every class of citizens Indeed, Sir,
ldid not the gentleman himself, in the course
or MS observations, with laudabe anina-
ton, express his high satisfaction ar the do
'hSs OF his own Legislature, giving encourage
nient to colonel Humphr;cs in his attempts
at introducing manufactures into the state of
Connecticut Proceedings highly honora-
Bile both to the legislature and colonel Hum
phres (; and which ! have also seen with
great satisfaction. But, SIR would it be cor
rect to inter from this circumstance, that
commerce,is to be assailed and Frustrated ?
Such an inference would be as idle and alb
! surd IN this case, as it is in relation to the
visws OF the general government. Indeed,
DIR. concur perfectly with the gentleman
+! In the opinions he has expressed upon the
manufacturing system, in relation to the CON-
mcrcial. i have taken more pains in repcl
ling this extraordinary jealousy or suspicion,
IN the hope that in correcting the public SEN
ument, in this respect, it would, at the same
tune, dssipate great portion Of the oblec-
lions to the embargo laws, which seem to
me, at this time, to be in,periously demand
cd, bv the extraordinary crisis of our fol eign
relations.
am now approaching part of this sub
Ject, Mr.. President, which fills me with re-
! g: It's urtiUacy, sir, anu deeply
regret the necessity which impels the exa-
minatiHn of it. 1t is however rendered indis-
Pensible, perhaps, by exterior events ; but
certainly by observations made in the course
OF this debate. I allude, Sir, to the inexecu-
ton OF the embargo laws or rather, Sir,
| to the suggested incapacity of the govern
ment to enforce their observance The gem
tleman from Connecticut, (Mr. Hillhouse)
tells MS, directly, that the government has
not power to enforce the execution of these
laws. The gentleman from Massachusetts,,
l,,xyI
sistance He tells us, they NAV be resisted,
first, by town meetings, then bv petitions,
then by legislative resolutions and, finally,
by instruction and rebellion Mr. LLOYD
rose to explain. He said che did not saw
that tins would be the course of events He
only stated them abstractly, aSprobable re-
suits from those LAVISH The gentleman is
correct in his statement. meant to be un
derstood as stating his observations in that
way. 1t cannot escape observation, howe
yer, Mr.. President. that this is the practi-
cal process now going on in the state, the
gentleman has the honor to represent.
/" 1t is submitted to the patriotism and GOOD
sense of those gentlemen 10 determine, whe-
tier mentioning these circumstances even in
that way, may not have some tendency to
produce effects, which must be so much
deprecated by all ; and permit ne to hope,
Sir, by none more than By those gentlemen.
And whether, Sir, they are not calculated to
keep up the decisions in foreign nations,
which, believe in God, to be the principal
causes OF orr present embarrassing nts-
L hese circumstances were the less to be ex-
pected from gentlemen, who, Few years a.
go, arrogated to themselves the exclusive
appe,lation of lovers of order and Good 90
vernment, whilst their political opponents
were denounced as anarchists and disorean-
lzcrs and not even possessing virtue and ho-
jnesty enough to be trusted with the public
treasury. This, Sir, was an imposing appel
lation and as long as its sincerity was con
tided III, it preserved these gentlemen in the
dominion of the United States.
! It was hardly to have been expected that
these gentlemen would now be found the
first TO sound the alarm, in favor OF anarchy
and confusion: nor was it to have been ex-
pected, Sir, that the eastern states, which
were the first to press the constitution upon
us, and which have reaped golden harvesc
from its operations, should be the first 10
wish to absolve themselves from its sacred
obligations.
| BIT, Mr.. President, believe this COVERT
ment does possess power sufficient to enforce
tue embargo laws. The real character OF
our government seems to be entirely nIisun-
derstood by foreigners and not fully appre-
c'ated by some of our own citizens. II has
all the strength of execution, with the most
despoiic governments upon earth. it is al
ded, too, by the knowledge o; every citizcn
that when its viii is pronounced it Is the
tair expression Of the will Of the majority
| The checks of this government are excIu-
siveiy upon its deliberations, not upol les
powers of execution. So far from it. that the
constitution has expressly provided, that the
government should possess all means neces-
sary and proper tor executing its specified
Ipowers. There is no Limitation, whatever,
upon the means of executing the general
viii, when fairly and deliberately prunoun.
ced. Nothing could be more absurd than
TO suppose, that when so many checks had
been imposed upon deH6eration in pronoun-
cling the public will, after that will was thus
pronounced, that any means whatever, for
its eTecutioH, should b. withheld.
| Again; Sir, the fundamental principle of
our government is, that the majority shall
govern. TEis principle is known and res
pectcd by every citizen, and by none more
than the people of Massachusetts,. Jac, are
taught to respect from the cradle TO man
hood. First in their town mcetings-then
| IN their legislatare--and finally, in their
general government. They know too well
tho fatal consequence of rcsistingit Ihave
perfect confidence, therefore, in the people
OF Massachusetts (; and. if their electoneer-
ing leaders and parti2ans, should unfortu-
aeiy stimulate some Of them into inslTYec-