The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-08
mo. Cd.


really we seem like Jack in the tale of =.
tub, who hung himself for spite in order that
ms enemies might come and cut him down.
And now we are to deliberate whether we
are to bangle in our carriers or notf For one
have no such disposition.
f, with respect TO the embargo, there was
an erroneous impression with regard to its
origin, and there has been as great mistake
with respect to- the effect it was intended 20
produce. 1t originated, sin, in the intention
or france 70 enforce the Berlin decree and
m the British proclamation relative to her
Seatien Whatever may have oeen said to
me Contrary, the orders in council were utc
known 10 this country at the time the embar-
go was laid. They had, in fact. never been
mentioned.
| MIR Randoihk concluded by expressing
the satisfaction he enjoyed in the conscious
ness or having had no hand in bringing the
country into its present critical posture, and
that he would not exchange his feelings in
that respect for any consideration whatever.
Mr. H'ouf. ] am happy. sir, that the
gentleman from Virginia and myself agree
! as TO one thing-the pressure Of the embar-
So on the southern states it is fact that
they hsve not suffered less than other parts
OF the union. But whilst differing on this
point with the gentleman from Massachu-
sets, (Mr Quincy regret extremely that
must differ OH another point with my friend
| from Virginia (Mr. Randoiph.) l do not
conceive that the embargo has reduced us to
state OF degradation, nor is it an act of
! submission. Whatever may have been the
| object OF the Executive in recommending it,
J it was supported by ME as measure OF secu-
rty and IF coercion 1t is not sacrifice Of
rights, but resistance. Commetcc, sir, is
the life blood of England Upon that rests
her riches, her prosperity and her grandeur.
Inc gentleman from Massachusetts SAYS,
we have retired from the ocean and abandon
ed trade to GrcatBritain. But what trade
did VIC leave herr To what regions does
her navigation extend? Merely from port
to port OF her own dominicns. France, by
her DEGREES, had shut her out from the con-
tincnt OF Europe, and deprived her of a
commerce to the value OF 100 coo eco and
our embargo mas robbed her of fifty millions
OF dollars worth more. WHAT trade have
We TO enjoy! Take OF the embargo to NOR
row, andyou have not open to yea a ventfor
more than 1000 coo Of dollars. And for this
paltry sum shall we surrender our rights
1t is said the people of the southern states
are enemies TO corGineTce. Sir, this ideal is
founded in pitiful, contemplate jealousy.
7ow can il De supposed those are enemies 10
commerce who raise seventy millions weight
OF cotton annually for eXportation? l will
| venture to say that Georgia is wiling to risk
as mucn as any portion of the Union in vim
dication OF commerce; and when the attack
vas made upon the Chesapeake, believe,
slr, she was ready to so somewhat further.
than Others. Compare the depreciation OF
price IN the two great staples of the eastern
and southern sections Of the Union. The or
cinary price Of cotton is from eighteen to
twenty dollars; the embargo price is from
ten to twelve-the customary price of rice,
IS from fire to six dollars per cwt. the en-
Drrgoprice is fron two to three. Two very
different views have been given Of the tenn
per OF the eastern people--one gentleman
mad told us Of the universal prevalence or :,
disposition not to endure the measure, whilst
another with more likelihood, has stated
the existence Ct a more rational sentiment
| indeed, sir, fear no violent hostiities from
the anti eniblrgo;sts. They are actuated
by too base passion to be formidable to the
government--they are actuatcd by the basest
OF all passions; and one brave, liberal yeo-
man on Massachusetts, would drive half a.
dozen such fellows into the ocean. What
singular inconsistency, sir is manifested on
this occasion. Two years AGO these same
| men would have gone to war for the carry
ing trade; now it is too trihng to merit even
thelr resentment or attention: they would
then have gone to war for the colonial trade;
Out now they are contented to beg Il little
| yonr ports cher and slut them to France.
IS the committee SAYS, sir, you must. in
present circumstances, have war with both
or an embargo. The case has been misre-
presented to the people, and avarice and Gre
duilty have been made the Instruments OF
| political article. British agents and Ameri-
! can malcOnteHts are spread through the
country, and excite dsssatisfaction--m
who would sacrifice the honor and indepen-
dehce of the country for little trade in
Goldfish and pot ashes. For one, | win
say, that ] viii not make the bose barter
for gold. If you cannot submit TO few pri-
Vations, it is time to abandon YOUR re-
publican government; You arc ripe. sir, for
monarchy; for the dynasty Of the Bona
parties, or Tor any other dynasty. Thisp pas
sion of avarice, if INDUCED in, will destroy
,usa'l Mr. Troup paid very handsome
compliment to ne patriotism Of Virg.aia1
he southern states, sir, have risk ed every
thing for commerce, and they have been re-
pald with bitter1s proachss. do not allude to
the Smiths, the Crowninshields, or the
Grays-they are men Ct high patriotism.
RAISE the embargo, and who would trade
Notthe IONA FIDE American merchant, but
bankrupts-men ofdesperate fortunes would
alone venture on the ocean.
It has been said that we ought to give Guy
merchant vessels permission to arm. This
would be war. aud IN o,.n tigv ,vt,Oup a f.v,