The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-09
CONGRESS.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,.
Tuesday, Dec. 90.
Proceedings c0ntinNeR E.om az. Iast.l

= FoCceatHSS CoHIiVHeQ FROM or last.
Mr. LfOermore said, if any observation
had fallen from him impeaching the cantloi
OF the gentleman from n. Carolina, he woult
retractit for he had seen as much cando,
IN the conduct of that gentleman as of any
other within these walls. 1t was true he had
called for candor on this subject, in which he
was SO nearly interested he conceived that
the feelings of some gentlemen might be diff
ierent from the feelings of his constituents,
and lie had called upon gentlemen candidlv
to consider the subject. He agreed with the
gentleman as to the construction of the law ;
tor every person concerned should put such
construction OH "a law as the words implied.
Mr.. l.. thought they were now going too has
tiiy on this subject; he had been Of the same
opinion when the embargo law was under
consideration, and in every stage of it.
lie thought they should not hastily have
passed the law and he had contended that
there was no necessity for that precipitation
which had prevailed, for taking leap in the
dark, when every consideration should have
induced them top pause and proceed with de-
liberation. And the House were now pro
ceedng on this bin without having had time
to consider it; the committee of Commerce
and Manufactures had reported, and the
iiouse was called upon implicitly to follow
them, without further light on the subject
l he gentleman hod said that the same argu-
ment would apply to sailors as to fishermen
that they also might throw off THEN. alIeri
ance t. the u. S. This was the very thing
Mr. L.. had commended in conclave, and would
nave coiltended for it longer had not his voice
oeen drowned by the noise which was made
ana the determination which was manifested
to prevent debate. Tie colossal power of q
majority had put down the still small voice
OF reason and had declared that strength a.
lone should reign While he had right to
give MS voice, Mr.. l.. said, he would arpue
against measures, brought forward and press
cd on so precipitately, when grounded on
false or fallacious grounds. 1t seemed as if
1t had been determined to run headlonr into
them without giving reason time to operate
III the present law we're to be passed in this
manner III lew Gays perhaps gentlemen
would come forward with proposition to
amend this, as this was proposition TO amend
the former. From the short time which he
had to consider the measure in its present
form Qhough he had rcvolved the general
measure and its ill effects repeatedly in his
mlnd) he had not sufficient to consider the diff
terent provisions OF the BILL He therefore
moved that the committee rise and Obtain
leave to sit again.
Mr. Love pressed the decision Of the CUES
ton on the amendment, and opposed the mo-
tlon TOR the rising OF the committee There
was now no question of policy or impolicy of
an embargo to be considered the only oies-
ton was, to secure that part of the citizens
OF the y. States, who obtained q livelihood
by hshing, from infractions OF the general
provisions OF the Law. Why should thev de-
prlve the fishermen IF their wonted occuna-
ton, II they gave proper security that thcv
should not touch at foreign port This
was plain question on which eyer1 one. co,fld
decide
Mr. j. montgomery observed that the gen.
tleman from Massachusetts, MR. Liver
more mad done well in allowing the gentle
man from N {. a claim TO capdor. fo, h. con.
duct ever did evidence his Eberolit,, u.
were not other gentlemen entitled to the
same allowance Mr. M. was not much ac-
quainted with the gentleman from Massa-
chusetts, but he should conceive from the Ian
Suage he had used, that the anathema which
ne had pronounced against others. racoiIed
upon himself. What did the gentleman rnean
by the colossal power of the majority s..
Where cid this exist to the exclusion Of the
sun small voice OF reason Mr.. Nj had
seen no evidence OF 1t in this House during
inc discussion OF the law which the gentle
man hao alnded 70. If that gentleman had
d particle of candor in his composition he
would appeal to it whether hberdlitv and for
bearance were not the order of the dav ,
What was the conduct of the majority ON
that evening. when language was used I'm
worthy OF Representative or citizen 3
hey manifested forbearance at which he
had been astonished. While he was I'M Mr.
vi. sald he would take occasion to notice =
letter which had appeared in New YORK and
other papers, Purporting to be Iettcrrro-n
member OF Congress bearing date the 1bth
ot December. MIR NJ could not believe that
any gentleman on tie floor could use snch Ian
SuaSe as was contained in that latter. Vba,
member would rise in his place and tell the
Itouse that they Wee under French influence
knowing as re must that no such influence
existed What man would tell the House
that French influence guided them, and that
tney III consequence OF it were acting in con-
claVe! What man would express his nh
horreIice OF their proceedings and tell them
mat their conduct was fnEamous Mr.. M
could not conceive that any man who co,lld
use TINS unprncipled language would be en-
titled 70 scat OH this foot. No. he could
not believe that this letter could be writfen
by a member of Congress lie must pro.
nounce it a foul, bass, and unprincipled cal.
unjny. ~
The law Of ernbargo was row passed :,
was the duty OF every man 10 rally around
the measure, and of Congress- to make such
amendments as would render it Complete =.
1t was now late hour, but he thought the
Naas - Ia.