Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-11-08
THE EMBARGO.

offensive weapon which the enemies
OF the administration could invent.
Had it not been for British emissaries
who have been fostered in our bosoms,
for unprincipled renegadoes who have
neither character nor country to lose,
and fer ambitious men among nc who
are ,hirseng for power, regardless of
rhe means b. which it may be acquir-
ed, we should ere this time have
brought our enemies to our feet. AL
ready has it had sensible effect; and,
if rigidly enforced, cannot fail to bring
the powers OF Europe to sense of
feeling, if not of Justice. Consider
the price OF -four in the West Indies,
from so to 50 dollars a barrel Of Cot
ton in the Liverpool market, from 2s.
cd to IS. per pound, and the apparent
scarcity of bread in England, which
has already occasioned an enormous
advance in the price of wheat in that
country. These arr facts, solemn
facts, which are worth thousand the.
cries on the operation OF the embargo
laws.
Blu. we are now told that the laws
laving an embarg>, are unc5nsf,tution-
al! Good Sod than it should ever
once enter into the mind of man to
conceive that when government was
acting up to the very end Of It's insti-
tution-the preservation of the lives,
liberty, and property of its members,
it was doing an Unconstitutional act.
Shall sve turn over the pages of Gr0ti-
rs, OF PufendorE Of Burlema;u;, Of
FdtteL, of Ruthertorth, &c. &c. TO salts
fly us that Isis not ONLY the right, but
the duty of every government to coH-
sult the safety and happiness OF the
people? Surely not. This is FIRST
principle in the law ofn ,t.ire lis IN
| kerent in every social compact; and
hasbeen acteduPon BY evcrvfrg ti.ltase
government from the creation Of the
world to the present dav.
Our fathers in Virginia, who were
the first to rear the revolutionary STAN
dard, and to propose a declaration OF
/ Independence, understood the law of
nature and osnations as well as we do.
They were as little disposed TO violate
the constitution Of their own state, or
the confederation formed by the seve.
raj states. Yet, we find, that although
the constitution of Virginia is perfect
" silent on the subject of embargoes,
and the power OF regulaeing commerce
was not vested in congress by the old
confederation, the legislature OF Virgi-
MIA, from time to tim e, co ferred much
greater powers on the Governor and
Council, in relation to embargocs than
have been given to the president by
the late laws.
As a specimen, take the following
act, passed at the october session
1873.
IN net TO eniho7ver me Governor and
Council TO lay az Embargo for limited
nine.
Whereas divers persons for their own pri-
vate lucre, transport out OF this s ATE into
lparts beyond the seas, wheat, Indian corn,
and other provisions, when the same may
be greatly wanted for the relief of the lima
bitanss of this state and support of our arr
my and navy and those OF cur allies.
| Ana whereas no person OF persons nath
or have bern hitherto invested by the legis.
lature of this commonwealth, by whom n.
lone it can be done, with power TO lay M
embargo on provisions, except wheat
Indian corn, and other grain, when neces
sary and eXpenienG for the good If the same
BE 10 there|ore enacted 6y The Genera
.9SSem6iy, that il shall and May be lawfu
for the Governor, with the advice Of tn,
Council Of State, from time TO time TO issu
his proclamation, thereby prohibiting tn
expectation Object, po- k bacon, wheat, In
dim corn, pease, or other grain or -four
and meal made Of the same, any or eithe
of them, on any other provisions, for and du
: ring such time rs he, with the advice afore
said. shall Judge most fit and necessary
SO as such prohibition shall not extend [
z any vessel laden or to be laden by prope
> officers with all or any Of the enumerate
prov sions for the use OF the armies or ma
:, vies nj the United States or their allies.
ind be IL further eHacted, that all beei
, pork, bacon, wheat, Indian corn. pease, o
D other gram, add all -four and meal, or othe
provisions, which at any time curing III
con,inu, nee Of such embargo shall be ladl
= or PIT on boaFd any vessel for expectation
> except as before excepted, shall, togethe
:, with the vessel, tackle, furniture, and Carg,
! be forfeited, and may be seized by any ma
gistrate, naval officer, officer commandiu