The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-09

N
up! he had seen n newspaper
orning, that the embargo would pro-
pntinie for six or eight months.-
len would become of our produce q
opinion that thisimeasure was i'm
adopted at this time. M
arker did not agree with the gentle
n Powhatan, whot had lust spoken,
propriety OF the measure which had
hls debate, was not atEhis time, and
MS House a proper subject for dis
We are called upon, he Observed,
reamble to the resolutions now ON the
approve the conduct of the Govern
p .ayingan embargo. Before we APP
we have right, and it is our duty to
ethe policy of that measure, which is
amped with our appreciation and al
we have not, and cannot have all the
ttion on this point, which could be
yet as we are called upon to express
non on the embargo, we must exa-
he propriety of it.
hought that this energetic step on the
our government, was Grohcr one. &
at frQter time. As the gentleman
Frederick had questioned both these
MS, he would proceed to examine that
mans arguments and objections, as sue
as possible.
P. then proceeded. The gentleman
I'd you, that after the attack on the Che
ke, he was Uncommon with all our fell
tizens, In favor of energetic measures.
build have convened Congress, laid an
Ego, and perhaps even declared war.
must confess, sir, | would not have
his. think 1T was necessary todemand
Patton before we struck blow: AS the
Ntct OF Admiral Berkeley, was not oHici-
known to our government, to have been
lrised by the British ministry. it COM
Id with our own dignity, and with the u
| OF civilized nations, to enquire if such
tlic fact. 1t would afterwards be time
Ign tcpprsue other measures. Such has
the policy of Government and such |
+, has been sound policy.
* the gentleman saws, that as our govern
{ did not at first adopt energetic measures,
did adopt a different policy, they ought
irsue 1t. This is true, if circumstances
ime the same. But Will he say, that if
instances change, there should be no
'gc of policy? Policy is governed BY
lmstances. Is not then, our situation nor,
rent from what it was, when the policy
n the gentleman talks OF, was adopted
hat time, we had minister at London.
had some reason to expect his neg0ciati-
'ould be successful. We did not certain
loW whether Admiral Berkeley was au-
ised by his government and If he was
It waS&nccrtain, but that The unjust pre-
IONS OF Great-Britain would be abandon
I'd. What is the case now ? The nepoci-
D has been broken off. It is clearly as
aimed, that Great-Britain, who interpola-
new doctrines iSto the law of nations, re-
s to abandon them. And we are to be a.
ed fora while, with the slew Of negocia
The ground OH which we stood there
is changed, and our policy has of course
nged with it.
far then, as to tire gentleman's general ar
ent about the continuance Of the system
lnally adopted. lnow proceed to exam
his specific objections. TO the particular
'isions Of this embargo, and to the time
ntorcing 1t. lie argues, that if an en-
20 was now at all eXpedient, it ought not
ave been such an embargo as the one laid.
objection TO it is, that il is too general
it ought either to have extended to our
vessels alonc--and permitted the trade
'reign vessels, or that it should have per-
ed the trade of all foreign vessels but
ish. Let US examine each hypothesis.
oppose our own vessels alone had been
argoeda The gentleman from Orange,
correctly said, they would have rotted in
ports, or rather been transferred to TO-
n merchants, for very small and ina
late consideration. Our scamen in want
and finding It in foreign
ncipaTiy Sritish) service, would have de-
ed US The British, masters of the oce-
would have monopolized our trade, by
ng line Of Frigates from the Bermuda's
he banks OF Newfoundland, they would
: Intercepted every foreign vessel coine.
Or returning from Our ports. Their own
els under the protection Of their power
navy, would have been the only ones
IL cur srts. Thus we should have been
!ering Great-Britain an essential service,
n we intended to 10 her an injury. She
Id Rave laughed at the policy, which de-
ed itself, and instead OF abandoning her
gant pretensions, she would have been
ed to new aggrcssions.
nc other suppo9ticn would have been
!uctiVe Of similar evils If British YES
alone had been enlarged or prevented
l sharing our trade, her ar1ned'yessels
Id either have prevented the entrance in
n ports Of all foreign vessels inclined to
-e with U.S. then the permission world
been migratory, or she ould have wait
he return OF such vessels loaded with orr
luce and seized them 70 supply her West
a islands-ard then tho exemption of Bri-
vessels would have been without effect.
the admission Of other foreign vessels Ter
2uS. Bat has tile gentleman s. ION Frede-
/, forgotten chat there was another rca-
or laying this embargo? Does ne not
" that it was not intended TO Operate a.
against the British, but the French too ,
S he recotlect the documents submitted to
gress, when that measure was recon-
dcd The Decree Of ronaparte, ard