The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-15


'af3ost, and that II would require Atty thou |
sand seamen tobe employed to navigate this
enormous amount OF property. The admi- !,
nistra,ion was informed OF the hostile edicts |
of France, previously issued, and then in a |
state of execution, and OF AN intention on the |
part of Great Britain toissue ter orders, the
character and object of which were alYi
Known. The object was 10 sweep this va
luable commerce. from the Ocean. The Sit |
uatiou OF this commerce was as we'll known to
q. Britain rs to ourselves, and her nordinatc !
cupidity Could not Withstand the temptation |,
of the rich booty, she vsiuly thought within |
her powcr.-This was the state of informa- |
Ntion Ct the time this measure was recon- |
\rlerded.
The President OF the United States ever
Natchfui and anxious for the preservation of
tue persons * property Of ali ourF.- Citizens,
hft particulariy Of the merchants, whose pro-
perry is most exposed to danger, and of the
sesmcn, whose persoa are also most exposed,
Recommended the embargo for the protection
OF both & it has saved s protected both. Let
usnow suppose for a moment that the presi-
Gent possessed otthis Information, had not APP
prised the merchants s. scamen OK their dan
ger, & ELECTROMAGNETIC no measure for their
protection and safety would he not in that
case have merted and received the re-
breaches which the ignorance or ingratitude
of merchants and others have SO unlustly
heaped upon him for his iudcous and anXi-
"ous attention to their interests? It is admit
ted by all, that the embargo laws have sa-
we'd this enormous amount of property, and
this number of seamcn, which without them,
would have forcibly gone into the hands of
our enemies, topamper their arrogance, sti-
mulate their injustice and increase their
means of annoy ance.
l should suppose, Mr.. President, this sa-
~ir, ":,-t. sc::: :::,.:ce S::. g., ;.;soo
told that instead of protecting our seamen it
has driven them out ofthe country, and into
foreign service. Ibelieve, sir, that this fact
is greatly exaggerated. But, sir, suppose
fora moment that it is so, the government
hasdone all, in this respect, it was bound 70 do.
1t placed these seamen in the bosoms of their
friends and families, in state of perfect Sc
curity and if they have since thought pro-
per to abandon these blessings, and emigrate
from their country, it was an act OF choice,
not of necessity. But what would have been
the unhappy destiny of these brave tars,
if they had been permitted to have been car
lied into captivity, and sent adrift on I'M
friendly and inhospitable shores Why,
Sir, in that case, thy would have had no
choice; necessity would have driven them
into hard and ignominious service, to fight
the battles Of the authors of their dreadful
calamities, against nation, with which their
country was at peace. And is the bold and
generous American tar to be told, that he is
to disrespect the administration for its anXi
OUs and eifectual attentions to his interests !!
For relieving him from dreadful captvi
ty, Even under the hardships lie does suffer,
and which sincerely regret, every generous
feeling of mis- noble heart, would repel the
base attempt with Indignation But, sir, the
American seamen have not deserted their
Country foreign seamen may and probably
have gone into foreign service and, for one,
I am glad of it. | hope they never vii! re-
turn : & | am willing to pass a law in favor OF
tle :fus hearted American seamcn, that these
}oreiSn Seamen never should return. wOu!de-
ven prohibit them from being employed in
merchant vessels. The Amer. seamen have
found employment in the country and when
ever the proper season shall arrive for en-
Pioying them on their proper element. you
viii lind them, Ike true birds of passage,
lowering in crowds upon your shores.
Whilst considering this part of the subject,
icannot help expressing my regret, that at
the time OF passing our embargo laws, pro-
portion OF our Seamen was not taken into the
public service; because in my judgement,
the nation required their services, and it
would have been some alienation to their
hardshlps, which the measure peculiarly i'm
posed upon them, as class of citizens, BY af-
tectins their immediate occupation and the
other classes, as well as the public treasury,
were able to contribute to their alienation
time. Indeed, its omission is the only regret
have ever felt, at the measures of the last
congress. | like the character-I like the
open frahkness, and the generous feeling of
the honest American tar; and, whenever in
my power, am ready to give, and will with
pleasure give him my prots ction and support.
One of the most important and agreeable eff
tects OF the embargo laws, is giving these ho-
hest fellows a safe ASYLUM. Bat, sir, these are
not the only good effects of the embargo 1t has
preserved our fedce5 Nhas YaVed our honor
HhaS oaUcd onr national indehendence. Are
these savings not worth notice? Are these
blessings not worth preserving? The gentle
man from Delaware, (Mr. White) has, in
deed, told us. that under the embargo laws,
the United States are bleeding at every tore.
This, surely, Sir, is one of the most extrava-
giant effects, that could have been ascribed
to these laws by the frantic dreams of the
most Neutrality-suspicious.. Blood-etting is the
last effect, that j ever expected to hear as
crlbed 10 this measure. / thought it was of
the opposite character: but itserves to show
that nohtng is too exGavagant for the mis-
guided zeal Of gentlemen in the opposition
II have cast my eyes about in vain to disco
tnCEN CT IF hut