Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-06-23
IcosTIsuEp.]
TlNr. FISTS Speech concluded.]

4
But there is one other argument, or per-
haps, sir, may more properly call 1t a, re-
mark, made by the gentleman in debate,
one day last week, to shew his reasons toi
the aversion he feels to the late adminlstra-
ton; and was sorry to hear it. 1t was
this that if our government had accepted
the treaty in 1906, we should have avoided
all the evils we suffered under the embargo
was sorry to hear this, but more so to
hear the declaration which followed, and !
do not believe the gentleman himself could
on reflection entertain the opinion, tina,
this government would never get better
treaty" Are these declarations discreet
and becoming an American, and intended to
have beneficial effect on that nation in the
contemplated negotiation Will the decla.
ration that we cannot obtain better treaty
made at this time, and in this place, answer
any valuable purpose-that we cannot get
better treaty, than that which in fact was
no treaty at all, because it contained provi
sion for violating it if the British govern.
msnt saw ht--a saf0o repugnant to the feei-
ings of every American; and the princi-
pal subject of dispute, the impressment OF
seamen, subject of great interest and anx-
iety, was wholly omitted What reason has
this nation to believe that better treaty will
not be cocluded? We shall have better
treaty, sir. am warranted in saying that
such will be the result will not question
the sincerity of either government on this
occasion, because believe it to be the IN
terest of both to form treaty that will be
acceptable to each. am authorised to say,
from the correspondence between MI. Frs
kline and Mr.. Smith, that We shall have a
treaty which will be satisfactory and differ
ent from that of 1SO6-and what authority
have for this \? 1t is said by the British
minister that his majesty will send minis
ter, not to treat but /" to conclude a treaty.
on all the points of the relations between
the two countries. This is sufficient to JUS
tify me in saying that all the points In diff
ference or at issue between the two coun-
tries will be settled.
But there was one other remark, and the
gentleman urged it as though he was really
serious. Although among the last he made,
it was not the least extraordinary. had
s
but though twas intended merely to answer
electioneering purposes, and not believed
by those who made it. 1t was to this effect /:
that the present prospect, so fair, was the
result of the exertions of the MINORITY in
this country and particularly in Congress.
I never did believe that gentlemen who
claimed this as due to the exertions of the
minority were or could be serious and
when I heard it thrown out on this floor
since, it could not bat remind me of the
Ay placed on the chariot wheel, exclaiming
IS Lo zvhat dust zoe jaies make % 1t is
really surprizing to me, and am willing te
confess it, though it may not be novel &c
those (and there are manv) who have more
experience in legislation than have, how 6
minority can control the majority. 1t i.
the first time that ever heard a minority
in a representative government claim the
merit of system which that minority, cal
themselves federalists, I" ultra or. citra,
federalists, professors or what not, op
nosed, to the extent of their ability. 1t j:
repugnant to the very meaning of the term
(mi,ority in the English language. Fol
= moment let me ask you, sir, what system
did they advise? Even the last measure a
dopted on the subject of our foreign rela
: lions, viz. the non-intercourse law, was op
suosed by them; and really, among the com
parsons with which the gentleman from
Virginia eniightens the members of thi!
housc,.I recollcct one in relation to tina
bill, in which he said that it reminded him
of the man who had invented a method o