Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-06-22
TcoNTINUED.l

this un6nished business was taken up by
the house at this time: and he should speak
with equal sincerity were he to say that he
should be glad that the house might finish 1t
before they adjourned. Nor did he speak
with less sincerity when he declared his re-
luctance to offer any remarks on the subject.
Nothing but the extraordinary resolution
and the still more extraordinary course the
discussion had taken, should have induced
him, young and inexperienced as he was in
the business of the house, at this time to
have trespassed on its patience. As an in
dividual or private citizen (said Mr.. F.. {
have no objection to the sentiments contain
ed in that resolution, as originally proposed,
nor TO the amendments suggested. | do
not know that there is any difference OF OPT
MON on this subject; and Ibid regret to see
a p,wopositien Introduced which might look
like oSistrust of the unanimity which be-
heve at This time prevails in the nation. |
for one hatve not heard any murmurng or
complaints Sof the conduct of the president
IN meeting tf3le overtures of the British 60
-vernment, but lest should be unwilling to
give my voteS as representative OF the peo-
pie upon this resolution orany other OF like
description. II consider it to be derogating
from the dignity of representative OF the
people to give my appreciation to the presi-
dent or any other officer, however meritori-
Gus, when NE has performed no works OF
supererogesation, but merely duty clearly
defined, by the express letter of the law;
WHOA if he had not done, IL might have
Called not for the voluntary, but tor the
constitutional interposition Of this house
And so long as this house is organized with
the powers and duties which are vested IN
It by the constitution, giving 1t the sole
power of impeachment, should think we
] ought to act with great caution IN giving
votes of appreciation of an officer whose
conduct in the execution of his office 1t may
become our duty constitutionally to enquire
into. could therefore have satisfied my
sell with giving a silent vote on postPonmg
At, which I was willing to do, not only inde-
fnitely, but was content that the time
Its postponement should be co-extenslve
with the existence of our free government.
I was unwilling for one to be converting
this splendid hall of legislative deliberation
into a temple for offering up adulation to the
executive shrine. was wiling for another
consideration to postpone the consideration,
viz.~to save the. time of the house and OF
thenation: for whatever idea some gentle
men may entertain with respect to the ne
cessiey of transacting all the ordinary bust
: ness of the nation. at this session, s. whatever
belief they may have that there is no con.
stitutional objection to it, must begleaye
10 say that entertain verv different OPT
nion-and looking into the constitution for
my guide, carries me back to the time when
,is was proposed and to the convention who
did propose it. A great proportion of that
body was, as the greatest proportion OF
Congress always has been and always will
be, farmers. Certainly, when reasoning
upon the time when it would be most expe-
dient to convene Congress, they fixed upon
a period more convenient to the agricultural
interests of the country than any other !;
and at that time think it would be proper
stillto meet. / believe, sir, that it was the
general impression of the nation, not only
when the law convening Congress was pass
ed. but when the time of meeting had ar
rived, that their attention would be directed
20 those objects and those only which obvi.
ouslv and imperiously demanded their at
4ention and hope that this house equally
with the president of the. u. States will be
s. aware of the. inconvenience attending a
nrotracted session at this season of the year." "
Aud sorry. am ! to hear any one, especially