The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-03-29


= RESOLVED, THAT the seueralkaaps ity-
ing. an embargo ON all ships and oesseis IN
the bortsG hm6ours O fthe Gnited- States
be etebealed on tie 4fh Of March next,ex-
ceM as to Great Britain and France, and
1heir dependencies, and that precision be
made By law for prohibiting all commerce
a!intercourSe with these nations and their
dependencies, and the Importation Of any
article into the United Stafes, thegrouth,
produce, or manufacture Of either ofMe
said nations, or ofthe dominions ef,either
efthem.
AIR. PRESIDENT-- aa
ln'times of great publick trial and dlff-
Guilty when proposition deeply affecting
the character and the interests OF the ma
ton is presented for adoption, an indis-
pensible obligation is imposed upon its
author to state the considerations upon
which it is founded. Under this imples-
sion, | shall now proceed to make as full
and as frank developement of my in-
ducements in moving the present resolu-
tion, as may consist with the ordinary
limits Of discussion.
1t is circumstance greatly to be re-
gretted, Sir, that as our dangers and diff
culties are increasing and pressing upon
us, our divisions Of opinion respecting
the proper course to be pursued in rela-
ton to them, apI~ar to be increasing in
the same proportion. This probably a
rises, in great degree, from the unfor-
tunate state of mind, produced by coils
ions in argument. Gentlemen are in the
habit of bending their whole thoughts up
on the discovery not only of arguments
for fortyfying their own opinions, but for
repellmg the different opinions of their
friends. If this habit of reflection could
be removed-If each gentlemen could
prevail upon himself to give full weight
to the arguments, to respect Iuoic the u
pinions and motives of his friends, and to
doubt more the inhllibility ofhis own, it
is scarcely possible to believe that when
an union OF interests is admitted by all, but
that some point of union in the measures
to promote those interests, might be
found and agreed upon. And may we
not be permitted to hope, sir, when the
fatal consequences of divisions are so OBJ
vious to all, that the urgency of our diff-
culties will produce this course ofreAec-
ton ?--Amidst all these difficulties, it is
fortunate, however, that there is one point
in which we are all united. That is re-
sistance to foreign aggressions. tits true
that no vote upon that point, specifically,
has yet been taken in this house but in
the other house it has, latter much discus
sion and great deIiberation, and the result
was as near unanimity as could be expect
edupon any occasion involving so many
considerations. The only points of diff
ference now to be adjusted and COM
promised, relate to the extent of that re-
sistance, e,and the mode of its application.
The resolution | have had the honor to
submit, is brought forward solely in re-
ference to those points, and is dictated by
that spirit OF concession and Cancellation,
which | have taken the liberty of recon-
mending to others, and which, in my
judgement, is imperiously demanded by
the present critical situation of our affairs.
LAWFULLY sensible, Mr.. President, of
the high responsibility incurred by NOV
ing the present resolution and l also
know, that when nothing is left us but a
choice OF difficulties, it is much easier to
critlclse any expedient that may be cho-
sen, than to devise and present better
tor consideration. But, sir, ii should be
recollected, that merely to criticise or find
fault, when no expedient is left us alto
gether free from objection, is the most
cnhnrdinafe Office th,t rre.,;... -