Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-11-15

agree 70 cdns;der the resolution, it was de-
cided BY Yeas and Nays-Yeas 83-Nays
g
Mr.. Cb;,,enden then moved, that it be
rcferred,o Or, the committee of the whole house
on the state Of the union, to whom was re-
ferrvd the presidents message.
Mr.. Macon had no objection to fair dis
cussion. If the laws were wrong and pro-.
ductivc of no beneficial effect, they ought
to be repcaied He suggested to the
gentleman, however, the propriety OF NOV
ing reference to committee OF the
whole, other tlan that Oh the state o. the
union.
Mr. ch;t,~n.ien so modified his motion,
and 1t was agreed to refer the resolution to
a committee of the whole.
On the question for what day it should be
the order. Mr.. Chittenden moved to-mor-
row.
Mr. Smile said, he had no objection to
NEE, This question, but not at so carly Il pc
riod From the general state OF our foreign
r.,a,;ops. he thought the resolution was ILL
timed. What could the gentleman mean
by bringing this s,inct question now before
thc house ID ,es he mean, said Mr.. >. that
,ve must repel the whole OF the embargo
sys,em. and substitute nothing in the room
of it, Certainly, is his intention may be
Judged by the manner in which the subject
is brought forward, he means this. Ii he
does, wish him 70 ccme forward and tell
us so; tell US that he and his constituents
are willing to pay tribute and submit; that
they will surrender the independence OF
their country. consider his motion now,
unless a substitute for the embargo were
proposcd, Mr.. s said he could not atree.
He therefore moved that it be made the
n ,Le .l,x, fo,. Montav tvpPfr In the
mean time he took it for granted that the
presidents message would become the sub
feet of consideration, aud the house would
be prepared to say what Course it wouid
pursue.
Mr.. w Aston objected to the mode in
which the subject had been now introduced !;
and suggested that it would have been more
respectful to the president first 10 have con-
silered the MESSAGE. But since the gen
tcman had thus brou sht forward the ques-
ton Of repeating the embargo law, he was
ready to meet him on his own ground to-
morrow. He trusted it would then be seen
in what quarter and from whom the oppo-
sition to the execution of the measure had
arisen, and the desire OF its removal now
proceeded.
Mr.. Dana presumed the gentleman from
Vermont was perfectly competent to shew
he had in view without the assistance of
the gentleman from North Carolina. Re-
ally commencing the public business in this
manner did not bode auspiciousiy to its
progress. AS reason for now bringing
this Subject forward Mr.. ID. reminded gem
tcmen of a fact which in the fullness of
their zeal they seemed wholly to have over
looRed-that the season was fast approach
ing when the navigation of the northern
portion of the union would be locked up
lfthe embargo was to be removed Mt all,
it was of the utmost Importance that it
should be done promptly that it should be
dec ded wHhin a fortnight from this time.
And whether it should be removed or not,
it was of Importance to know the opinion of
this body. Need gentlemen now be told
that in almost all the ports of the union YES
sells were preparing for sea That some
had even bent their sails, many having ia
ken cargoes ON board These now remain-
ed in state of suspense, and Stale of
suspense always gave birth to perpetual
speculation. To put stop to these spe-
citations il was necessary that decision
of the question should be had. How it
should be decided at the present time Mr..
ID. sad he did not undertake to say. The
people should know, as soon as practicable
cons silently with the decorum Of egisla-
tive deliberation, the decision of the House.
AS TO the question asked by the gentle
man from Pennsylvania (Mr. SMILEY as TO
paying tribute, and as 70 the gentleman
who proposed thc resolution being willing
10 pay tribute-if the gentleman wanted to
kno~ the spirit of Vermont, Mr.. d. refer
red him 10 the history OF the revolutionary
war. Let ,he gentleman see if, for hernum
bers, any other state gave the enemy more
bloody battles. Let him then suppose the
gentleman from Vermont to differ from the
mass Of ms fellow citizens whom he repre-
sents. Mr.. ID. censured these insinuations
as indecorons in the extreme.
Mr.. u. said the present motion led to a
question OF serious mnment aud when
they Cdms to a decision of it he wished it
20 be done by comparing their opinions
fairly, frankly and decisively Unnecessary
and that they might unite in taking the
course which would best IN aintain the rights
and preserve the honor Of the nation. On
the question of the raising of the embargo,
it was necessary, however, that there
should DC an authoritative decision one
way o. o,ber.
Mr.. Ellios said it might for aught he
knew be considered disrespsctfui to the
President to urge the immediate agitation
OF this monentous quest on but if It were
30, a fnrbe arance from so doing on that &C
CONT would I've "a respect Inconsistent W IN
the Independence nf sentiment which ele-