The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-22
inarnediately succeeding the on. which for

! Aey'-(" these efforts Twill convince
the world, that peace is indeed our
wish; and If at length we shall be forced
into war, we shall take the field with
that animated aud firm determination
! which injured honor feels, when every
effort at peace has been exhausted, and
no alternatives remain, but war OH the
one hand, and disgrace and oppression ON
| the other'
|. Mr.. w. desired unanimity on this subject
lie suggested whether it would not be best
to commit the preamble, that the commit
tee might attempt to model it in such way,
as to produce this desirable effect.
Mr.. Barbour was also so!citous to obtain
phanimity. If he thought that there could
be any compromise on such subject, he
would also agree to q commitment. But be-
hevmg such an expectation to be absolutely
hopeless, he should oppose the reference
He was opposed to delay. If it was impor-
tant to act on the subject at all, nosy is the
proper moment. Speculations were form
1 ing OH the other side of the water, that the
Embargo would not be supported. Similar
suggestions were pervatling the Eastern
States. Let us give to this report cordial
and immediate support.-Ths sentiment in
the Report, met his warmest appreciation
The efforts to obtain redress by amicable
adjustment, had not been "too often repeat
ed"
Mr.. N1urdGxgh enquired of the Chair,
whether the preamble could not be commit
| ted
| The Speaker thought, that after the House
had decided against committing the Prea,n-
bic and Resolutions, the Preamble itself
could not now be committed.
Mr. Murdaugh appealed from the deci
sion of the Chair.
| The House confirmed the decision
| Mr. Shefcv endured. whether the Pre-
am6le could not be laid OH the table.
| The Chair thoughtit would be in order.
Mr.. Shcfey had desired a mature delbe-
ration on this subject, and was originally in
favor of the recommitment of the Report
The discussion now before the House would
show the propriety of that motion.--It was
best to allow time for consideration. If the
gentleman from Norfolk thought that the
sword ought to have been sooner drawn, he
would hereafter be able to show it For his
own part, he approved of the Report as it
now stood but still he wished to give gen.
tiemen an opportunity OF showing, that ano-
Their course of measures would have been
the best. Even i'll the most petty business,
all bills are read three times Why To
give ample time for deliberation. But here,
iii the most important matter, where the
great laws of nations are referred to, gen
tiemcn are tor precipitating the decision.
The committee may have examined these
points, but no gentleman should take their o.
opinions on trust. Some may have SO brilliant
a genius, Us to penetrate this mass of matter
at once. But for his own part, he could not
boast of such an intuitlve perception. He
should have to examine it paragraph by pa
lragraph.-He hoped, therefore, the Pream-
BILE would be laid on the table.
| MIR. Pore was of opinion, that instead of
tl ho,,,
there had been too much delay-Hc had
not consulted the brilliancy of genius, but
his own heart. Why, while over u subject,
which was familiar to the heart and mind
I of every Americana
| Mr.. Yer5y. Ifthere were any chance of OBJ
| tanning unanimi.y by this motion, he should
be in favor of it. This preamble was predica-
ted on chain of facts, which must be fam-
liar to all. Why then attempt to deliberate
on subject, which was known to every Gotta
ger in the country?
! Mr. She6ey If the report embr aced facts
alone, they might be known to every cottager
in the U. States.-But it involved also the
principles of the law of nations, in which he
| would venture to say, that the cottagers
whom he represented, were not deeply YER
sed-There is already difference of senti-
ment among gentlemen on this floor. Already
some gentlemen say, the sword should have
been drawn.
| Mr.. Peyton would be the last man in that
body, to refuse any gentleman the opportuni-
| ty of due deliberation.. But there had not
been single objection pointed out in the re-
port, except one by the gentleman from
tNorfolk-Ihat, to be sure, was most impor-
tant, as it related to the general course of
| measures, which the administration had pur-
sued, with respect to Foreign Relations
But as to this point, there was no man in the
house, who was not ready to express his o.
pinion. This course was familiar. to all. 1t
was sufficiently explained in the Presidents
Message and Public Documents.
| Mr.. Banks. 1t had struck him when this
preamble was read, that it went to approve
Of the whole course of the administration as
to our Foreign relations. If such was its as
pect, he was not prepared to so along with
it.-He thought deliberation on this subject
was necessary. Though some gentlemen
were acquainted with it. there were others
not prepared to give on itan expressionof their
deliberate opinions were some pra-
ciples, and perhaps facts in the preamble,
on which there might be contrariety of o.
pinion. He for one, desired time. If on in
vestigation, he should discover that the course
| of the administration had been dgnified &
/ proper il heEmbargo should appear an alter
native preferable 70 War--be would Their give
his sanction to the Report. But if he found
that the sentiments of the nation had been
| in favor Of war--unquaiified war--he