Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-26


remedy for the evils experienced, the COM
mittee will offer no other reflection, than
that it is in itself so great an evil, that the
United States have wisely considered peace
aud honest neutrality, as the best foundati-
on OF their general policy. 1t is not for
the committee to say under what degree
OF aggravated Injuries, and sufferiDgs, a
departure from this policy may become 4
duty; and the most pacific nation finds
itself compelled to exchange for the Gala
mites OF war, the great distresses of lon
ger forbearancc.
In the present state of things, the COM
mittee cannot recommend any departure
from that policy which wishholds cur com.
mercial and agricultural property, from
the licensed Expectations of the grea, ma
rhine belligerent powers They hope that
an adherence TO this policy will eventually
secure to US the blessings of peace without
any sacrifice of our national rights and
they have no doubt that it will be support
ed by all the manly virtue, which the good
people of the U. S. have ever discovered,
OH great and patriotic occasions. But the
committee would suggest, on this subject,
that better councils in the beikgerent .go-
Oernn'e''tS, producing a. juSter conduct
t0cUarGS neutral nations, 1vouM render
a continuance the embargo unneceSsa-
ry and that it will be provident measure
to vest H. the executive power, in such
an event, to suspend until the next session
OF Congress, wholly, or in part, the several
acts prohibiting the departure of our YES
sells for foreign ports.
Although the CCmmitte have abstaincd
from entering into any particular COMPARE
son, OF the proceedings of the French and
British. governments, towards the u States :;
they cannot reconcile with their duty, or
with thejust sensiblity of the nation, not to
advert to the tenor and language of the iate
communications, made by the respective
organs of those governments.
IN the letter Of Mr. Champaign, the u.
>. are not only threatened with confscation,
as the final destiny of American properly,
seized under French DEGREES, unless dispo.
sltion shall be manifested by them against
Great Britain, satisfactory to France, but
they are even declared, without reserve of
any sort, to be actually IL state of war
with Great Britain.
In the letter of Mr. Erskine, to the secre-
tary Of state, the u. S. are explicitly charg.
ed with justly su5jecting their commerce
To considerations undsr the British orders,
by not opposing an effectual resistance a.
g2inst the DEGREES of France in other
words, by not making war against the ma :
tinn, IN case no other interposition should
be cfltclual
There are in this exposition Of the British
orders, certain features, which claim par
ticular attention; among the regulations of
which they consist, it is provided, that the
commerce # the United States bound
tram their oyOn Parts to its legal and
ordinary markets, shall pass through
British ports, shall there in all cases,
take their cicaranccS from British oH-
GERS, shall, in some cases, obtain special
licenses, and IN others, pay n direct ana
avSToed tar J; thus, putting the u. on a
commercial footing, even zUorSe than gvaS
allowed to British o'onies-which were
lett free to carry their exports directly to
ferelgn markets, in cases where an inter
mediate voyage TO the parent country, would
De TOO oppressive. In the present case, not
single article is permitted to be sent from
the L. S. to the most southern narts Of
Europe, without previous voyage to Great
Britain, and in some instances, not without
purchasing even that privilege. without
fayfnS q tribute 10 the British Treaty.
The committee have taken into copside
ration the documents relating to the attack
ON the Frigate Chesapeake but they have
not deemed it their duty, in the actual
posture Of that subject, to make any other
remark, han that it strengthens the motives
Tor psrseycring in all the provisional and
precautionary measures hilbert contempla-
ed.
The committee finally beg leave to sub
init the following resolutions
RESOLVED, That the committee do
bring in a bill, authorizing the President
of the u. 5. in the event of such peace
or suspension of hostilies' between the bel
ligerent powers of Europe, or of such chan
gesin their measures affecting neutral COM
merce, as may render that of the u. S. suf.
hciently safe in his judgment, to suspend
he act laying IN embargo OF all ships and
vessels in the ports and harbors of the y.
>. and the several acts supplementary
thereto, under such exceptions and restric-
tiCnS, As The public interest and circumstan.
ces OF the case may require Provided,
Such suspension shall not extend beyond
days after the commencement of
the rext session of Congress
RtsSfOed, That the committee do bring
n bill, authorising the President of the
u. ). to suspend the operation Of the seve.
raj acts prohibiting the importation ofcer.
tain goods, wares and merchandise, if in
his Judgment the public good should require
IT: ProUfdcd, That such suspension shall
not extend beyond days after the
commencement of the next session of Con-