Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-06-14

Of the Natlonal Administration, mo-
we'd for and had leave to lay the fol-
lowing Resolutions on the table;
= Whereas the present critical and a.
farming state OF our national affairs
renders it peculiarly necessary and
proper that our rulers should be
correctly informed of the sentiments
of the people, who are the only legiti-
mate source of power-and whereas
certain resolutions passed at the last
session of the Legislature, before
means had been afforded to consult
their constituents, may have led to a
misrepresentation of the state Of public
opinion.-And whereas the people of
this Commonwealth are placed in new
and extraordinary circumstances, in
terdicted by the National Govern
ment from the use of the ocean, and
from the habits and occupations to
which they and their fathers have been
accustomed from the first settlement
OF the country-and at the same time,
the surplus produce of their fields and
fisheries is perishing on hand, for want
of market, and the ruinous conse-
quences which must ensuc from a
continuance of the present system OF
measures cannot be exceeded by the
losses and dangers to be apprehended
from any information which has been
officially communicated to the public !:
Therefore,
Resolved, by the Senate aud House
OF Represen, atives of the Common
wealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled,
That the Citizens of Massachusetts,
have natural, necessary, and imme-
diate interest in the preservation and
pros lerity oil. Commerce, Navigation
and the Fisheries ;---to the successful
extension of which, under the late adj
of the National Govern
ment, they are, with the blessings OF
Proyldenee, principally indebted for
the rapid Improvement in agriculture
and the arts, and for the unexampled
increase of their domestic resources.
That to secure protection and en-
enlargement to these most important
and uualienable interests, was a pri-
mary motive for the accession of this
Commonwealth to the Constitution of
the u. S.
That we therefore view with anx
iety and alarm, the operation of an
Embargo of an unprecedented extent
and unlimited duration, by which not
only foreign commerce is annihilated,
but the most grievous restraints and
embarrassments imposed upon the
intercourse between dlfferent States,
and even between different parts of
the same state: That although a
temporary Embargo may be on some
occasions expedient as measure of
Precaution, and the right to impose it
may be admitted as incident to the
powers of the National Government
to regulate commerce: Yet the pow
er to create permanent Embargo up
on foreign and inland commerce, which
majority of Congress cannot repeal
against the consent of the President.
was not, it is believed, contemplated
by the trainers of the constitution :;
and the adoption of this measure with
view to coerce foreign nations, is, in
our estimation, novel and dangerous
experiment, which discourages indus
try by destroying its reward, drsturbs
the natural relations of the citizens
IS equally repugnant to the national
honor and interest; and while its eff
iects in counterdcting the oppressive
policy of any other nation, is at least
doubtful, is pregnant with disastrous
consequences to our own:
That if this unexampled prohibition
OF commerce could rightfully be en-.
forced by Congress, vet the delegation
Il an authority to the executive, to re.
gulate the coasting trade, and the or
dlnary intercourse between the citi-
zens of the same state, and to grant
exemptions and dispensations at his
discretion to individuals Of districts,
would he not less dangerous and ex-
traordmary, as it might become the
foundation for oppressive monopolies
and exclusive privileges, and prepare
the country for the habitual surrender
of the legislative power into a single
hand
That while the true policy of the u.
S. points to the cultivation of peace
and amity with all nations, vet if these