Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-03-03

in the height OF their terror" Mr.. r. spoke
about an hour and half.
Mr.. J. G.. Jackson observed that IL was
his opinion that it would be more to the no.
nor ct the nation 10 perservere ic the en-.
barge till they went to var; but the mao-
rity OF the house appeared to be Of opinion
that neither course was proper. That be-
ing the case, he was willing to make the
ground as tenable as he could, 30 as to avoid
down right submission. He replied to va
rious observations made by gentlemen who
had spoken on the subject. In relation to
domestic difficulties, he should be as little
influenced by attacks through newspapers,
as by popular meetings, enlisting the people
with arms in their hands, in opposition to
the government. In relation to the very
treaty negotiated by Messrs. Monroe and
pinkney, he said that the ry' 'er attached to
that treaty gave a liceuce to the British 90
Sernment to pursue the very course which
owproduced our difficulties, and Mr.. Cam
ming maintained that to have been the con-
struction of it. Mr.. Jackson said that he
was not prepared for burning the law of
nations, and substituting force for law. AS
to violations of the embargo or of the pro-
posed system, he observed that all laws re-
straining the actions Of men would be more
or less eyaded; this therefore would be no
argument against any law proposed, the
same objection would lie against law for
the punishment of murder. Mr.. J. spoke
about half an hour.
The question WAS then taken on striking
ont the first clause of the section, and ne
Eatiyed, Sc TO 50.
ne question recurring on Mr.. Masters's
motionfor striking out the remainder of the
section, relating to letters of marque and
reprisal,
Mr.. Lyon spoke in favor of striking out
the clause.
Mr. d. X. Williams viewing this section as
measure contemplating further uegociation,
was wholly opposed to it. 1t said TO Britain
s. we will dismiss every other cause of quarrel
with you, If YOU will revoke your orders in
council 1t told our poor sailors incarcerated
IN their " floating hells" that we were ready to
abandon them. The surrender to her of the
right OF mpressment and of even other rights
previously IN contest was offered as the pur-
chase mone|Epr the revocation of the orders
an couRcl he bluslled for his country that
such proposition should be seriously enter
tanned IN this House. He would declare war
Tomorrow most heartily. He would vote for
section for Immediately issuing letters of
marque and reprissl, but he would not barter
away our rights tor the revocation of the orders
IN council. IT we were to submit he wished
to do tin that way which should carry so much
destruction INTO the families of those who cri.
ed o'it SO loudly for the repeal Of the embargo.
that they would rally round the government in
support of the country's rights
NAP. Eppes too was of opinion that there was
no honorable course left for this country but
Slnoargo or var; but majority of the house
having overrli!ed his opinion, he must aco,,iesce
IN their decision. But he couldnot consent to
ADOPT the measure proposed by this section,
winch, Under whatever aspect he could view
II appeared calculated to produce no effect but
disgrace and ruin to the country 1t could on
De useG IN one OF two ways, either as an in
strument Interpretation or as a measure of war.
Mr.. Eppes used some arguments to shew that
as an instrument of negotiation, proposing to
each power to pass over all former injuries if
&C would Withdraw its last infras;ion of our
rghts, and besides so doing to go to war with.
ITS enemy-whatever might be the result. it
could produce nothing but ruin and disgrace.
N.rem'nded him OF physician painted blind,
VITA q CLUB IN his hands, his patient on one side
ana the disease on the other: striking at ran
dun on each side, he killed the one to which
chance directed the first blow. And as A raea
sure OF Coercion, what was it /! Not old fashion
cd downright war, but war Depending on
contingency 1t was golden apple held up to
The bel!igerents, to be adjudged to the swift
est in recciing. Upon the humor or yylI;m of
Taileyrand or Canning when they received the
proposal, arising perhaps from an undigested
dinner, was to depend our war with either
France or England and we were to present
ourselves as courtesan to the polluted embra
ces OF England. or be fixed OH the imperial car.
IN either case bribng France or England by
gong TO war with the enemy ofthe one which
snonid be the first to embrace our offer Which
ever should accept it, disgrace and ruin must
DC the result. Rome at one time was said 10
want nothing but bidder ; but Rome had It's
age ~ virtue. Mr.. Eppes said that il seemed
as II we IN our very infancy had all the depe
heracy OF the latter days ofold Rome IF here
was not iirrnness enough 10 take manly atti
tude, he hoped the house would not take this
thing as substitute for it,
Mr. FISK was against striking out This clause
Ater some remarks in reply to Messrs Ran
doipp and Lyon, he said that he regretted ex-
ceedinSiy the Situation in which the house wss
placed that this clause should be stricken out
Tor 1t would he virtually saving that they
meant to take no honorable ground. that thcy
"nuif submit He believed that temporisinir
YOU'D rum the nation. As to the opposition Of
Tue people IN the East to war on any terms, he
sac that, excepting few who had been oppo
seq TO the revolution, aud who still longcd for
BRITISH dominion, there were not many who
VOID not join their government in war a.
gMnst either O Britain nr France for the
rantensnce of Our Just right.
nc question las then taken on striking out
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