The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-07
IHE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND, 4ANGyJ.l. :, 1908.
a SKETCH.
.VIRGLyEI.d LEGISL.ATURE.
HOUSE OF DELRGHTRS
TUESDAY, Dec. 5

=
Resolutions relative to the general Co
Ue'nn,e17t
Mr.. Barbour from the select committee
to whom was referred Mr.. Pcpe's resolutions,
made the following report:
ihe General Assembly ei Virginia taking into
their most serious consideration the present e. isis
IN our political aiiars, and the circumstances
WHICH have tended 10 produce It, N0ul, be IN
peldonably negligent, were they 20 remain silsnt
They deeply regret tlat they have bacen disap-
pointed IN their ardent wish, that Inc United,
States might be forever exempt from those disas-
trous commissions, which have been so Iona. desc
atng Europe Ii the strict ard impartial Ilcutra-
hty pracuced by the American government: to All
nations IN tie inviolsbic regard which il HIS
so srrupulouSy paid to justice and good faith,
they ionity imagined they had Ecsn gtiar.ntec TO
the continuance of peace. Eut from the mem
acing aspect Of affairs, il seems but too probable
that thus iatteIig anticipation is about 20 vanish
and that we shall have to act part IN zhc nielan-
choly drama OF the day. IN reviewing the
series otcauses which are likely to terminate in
this result, we derive great consolation from the
reflection that the government of the United States
has done every thing on It's part which was
calculated to preserve peace upon honorable
terms, and that there is nothing with which il can
with proprety be upbraded Tie reorganization
IN detail of the insults and injuries received
would be tiresome aud disgusting. BioclIacles es-
tdti'SHSu contrary no FORMER usage, new ?IQ de-
sruclive principles interPolated in the laws OF
nations; our free born citizens impressed on
board our vesscis and torn from theii. friend;
& country, have been doomed TO perpetual exile X
captivity, whilst the cry Of" AN AN A5tERIcAE
C1TIzEE," has been treated with contempt and
disdaia these are some OF the outrages OF which
we complain and for which we bad de!nardedlc &C.
paration for the past, and security ag,inst for tic
future In the midst of anicablc conference upon
those subjects of complaint, arrived the 22d Of
june, 1897, day which will be forever IneInora-
bic in the annals of America
History VIII record that on that day ship Of
w9r belonging to Great Britain made an attack
(&tended with circumstances the most o!fensive)
upon q national ship of the United States reposine
upon the pledged security OF public faith, and lhst
@midst the gToans OF murdered citizens, the flag
o. ire United States, the sacred emblem of our
LIBERTY md Independence, was seen covering be-
neatli Blitish audacity, and British violence
The sensations arising from isis daring outrage
peHaoed with the rapidly Of lightning, this vast
continent, and produced one uniform sentiment
OF indignation, Under the influence Of which dis
"PPeared all party distinctions. We exhibited to
tue world the pleasing spectacle Of a widclyex-
tended nation with one accord buryirlc in the
ionb Of It's slaughtered citizens all party dferen
ces, and with one voice demanding ample Yene.e-
"Hec or honorable rcparaton. The General As.
sembly Ill reviewing TIC conduct OF tie govern
~.
rejoice 20 reflect upon the dignfcd altitude byit
asSnacd, ono that was supported BY frmress,
tempered with moderation. 1t has bscn asccr-
tanned 20 ti'e world tistf war cnsue, The United
States arc innocent Of the calamities inseoaablv
incident 20 that state of things And With con-
hCcncc III that Providence which seems TO have
made these states SO Pec0lialyiD5 care, VIC firmly
anticipate the aid OF heaven, and propitious re-
SWt. We SHOULD lie wanting in frahiliiess, we're
we 20 suppress our anXiety Tor the preservation
oi peace, but t must be peace purchased with
10 sacrifice OF honor The honor OF a nation, il
IS believed, on the part Of the General Assembly,
IS Jewc OF nestimable value to be in.:n,aincd
at every hazard-Inspired with this sentiment We
have Weighed it against every sacrifice, and ac-
ccpt itas IN equivalent II Is duty We owe our
selves 10 declare, that we submit with pleasure
20 the priVations arising from the energetic mea-
Sufes recently adopted BY tie constituted autlio-
titcs IN lie laying AN embargo. VIC feel latter
ed by the confidence which they reposed IA our
patriotism and scii-dend, and we hereby beg
leave 10 assnc the General Government, that this
step meets oin warm appreciation.
so'eca unanimously, Thatthc General Assem-.
by penetrated with most aitcctionatc REGARD for
the welfare OF our common country, and viewing
with Indignation the insults aud injuries which
have been offered US, hereby soemnly pledge
the whole energies OF this commonwealth TO the
support OF such measures as may be adapted to
produce an honorable peace, or ayengc TIC iniur-
cd hohor.of uIcse states.