Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-02-21
FROM THE. AURORA.

FROM TIE. AURORA.
Perhaps the annals of legislation do not
afford an example Of vote so extraoriina-
ry, as That Of the raising of the embargo, in
the house ut REPRESENTATIVES, on the 8. inst
The principles OF the embarso-and the
principles upon which it was entered into,
have undergone no change whatever.
The bc'iigerents have neither rescinded
nor modified their restraints upon com :
mcrce.
Not port is open now that was not open
ed twelve months ago, and many that were
then open, have since been closed.
What then could have produced such a
vote
We have never, on great public occas-
ons, suffered individual interests to withhold
great and necessary truths.
1t IS s0lenn and a serious truth, that
the vote in question, was the effect Of panic
artihctaliY produced on a considerable num-
Der otthe members of congress, who under
the influence of that panic, have been weak
enough to give vote, which If they have
any sensibiity, they Will repent as long as
they have life.
Whatever point this occurrence NAV be
viewed in, il presents features which are
painful for an American to look on, and
which must expose us to the derision and
the Hawkesburys, and will give new inso.
,ence and new energy to the corruption
which has produced it--look at it fairly.
+ The constitution has establishes confede-
ration of states the fundamental principle
OF which Is. that the will of the majority
and the rood of the whole shall be its basis |;
that minority, whether Of men or of states,
ninst submit to that superior will and that
superior good.
The legitimate authorities of the land
have taken measures of a double character,
preventative os property and preventative
for defence Of rights.
These laws are set at defiance,
A traitor in the senate house, dares to
invite "a section of the union TO trca.
srIable resistance.
A faction, a contemplate. Ditiful, d.spi-
cable faction, echoes this reasonable
psrpose and the god ard rae emssa-
ries of England are beheld, violating
the law.
Their ministers holding out proclamati
ons 10 violate the law, and proclaming
an indemnity for all who should violate
our laws
Solutions town meetings are set on foot
in different states, and subscriptions are
opened to hire braves by the day to OPP
pose the voice Of the people, and to SUBJ
stiutc the voice If this hired mob for
the voice of the people.
Collectors are prevailed upon to resign
their Offices.
The people arc invited to resist the laws.
The laws are resisted by force.
British ships come into our waters and
force away eargoes, and murder our
people who resist.
The mnrderers ire seized and imprison-
ed, but the prisons are broken open
and the murderers set at liberty in de-
6ance oflatg.
And letters are crowded upon the tables
OF the members of congress loaded
with p1nic, fear and dread.
IN this STATE ~ thiugs, so-littie arc these
msn, in congress, fitted for their ST atoms,
or 70 stcer the nation through the periis
which the eTre0;iVe hid alretly Effected
with 50 ndcn ski aad 50 Inucl discretion
THAT
All law IS focgotten--
National rights are oYcrlooked--
National shane is not cOnsiierel--
Nor is 1t even perceived, th1t this scan
dalous vo,e will be construed by the enc
mics OF or government into an argument
Of its week.-mrs., and It vii! &c argued, thay
a ficdun hcaded by so dospicaJls ~r.;ch
a. Pyrscr3pV, is ~ any time sufficiently
- verdi 20 over;arn the wiaest policy sol
th American ration, and 70 make America |
more eHectuauy the province II Epgl and |
now, thar brf,-e thu recosr t.0n Of Ame- !
ricsn indepe rdeucc.
What, change hdstakcn place
Why, a faction, eager for power, leagued |
with some of the in the pay of the British I
lreasury--proy ltip defiance of the laws.
And IL IS ti,e boise Of Representatives OF
,ngress that sbrinks from the menaces Of |
tais factio0
Shades Of franklin * Washington, War
-sn, Greene, Gates, Montgomery was III
7, such measures Or such ends, your wis.
10 aud your valsrous dalinss we're dis
,layed.
I'd