Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-02-28
xiicbntnnn 4eriff Current.
TcoRhEcTRD wEEKLy.l I
S P T. e c H


Delivered by Mr.. Giles in the Senate Of
the United States, on the 18th day Of
February, 1909, in support OF the FOL
lowing resolution moved by him on the
8;t of the same month.
Ee-o,ved, That the several laws lay
ing an embargo on all ships and vessels
in The ports and harbors uf The United
States, be repealed on the 9Th Of Ma ch
next, cxcep, as TO Great Britain and
France, and their dependencies, and tina,
provision be made by law for prohibiting
all curnmercia intercourse with these ma.
lions and their dependencies, aud she i'm.
portaton of any article into the Unit
ed States, the growth, produce, or man.
ufaciure Of either of the said nations, or oi
the domiDi rs ef either of them.
Mr.. PEEsIpEET,
IN times of great public trial and dii-
ficulty, when proposition deeply affect
ing The charac, .r and the interest of the
nation is presented for adoption. an in
dispensable obligation is imposed upon
its author IN state the considerations upon
(which tits founded. Under this impress
sion, I shall now proceed to make as
full and as frank a deyslnpement of my
judgements in moving the present ties
olu,ion. as may consist with the ordinary
limits OF discussion.
1t is circumstance greatly to be regret
ted, sir, that as our dangers and Difficult
ties are increasing and pressing upon US,
our divisions OF opinion respecting the
'prnper course to be pursuedi in relation
to them, appear to be increasing in The
same proportion. This probably arises,
IN great degree. from the unfortunate
state Of mind. produced by collisions IN
argument. Gentlemen are in the habit ol
bending their whole thoughts upon the
discovery. not only of arguments Tor for.
tifying their own opinions, but for repell-
ing the idliseriDg opinions of their friends.
If this habit of reflection could be reversed
If each gentleman could prevail upon
himself to give full weight to the argu-
.ments. 10 respect more the opinions and
mo,ise. of his friend, aud to doubt more
the infailibitty of his own, it is scarcely
possible TO believe, that when an union oi
interest sis addmitte9by all, but that some
point OF union III the measures 20 promote
those interests, might be found and agreed
upon. And may We not be permitted to
hope, sir, when the fatal consequences oil
tdiyisjons are so obvious to all, that the
urgency Of our difficulties will produce this
course Of reflection Amidst all these
difficulties, il is fortunate, however, tina
there is one point in which we are all uni
ted That IS resistance to'foreign aggres-
sions. /. is true, no vote upon that point
specifically, has yet been taken IN this
house but in the other house it has, at
ter much discussi0HlaDd great delbera.
lion, audih result was as, near unaDimity
as could be expected upon any occasion
involving so many considerations. The
only points Of difference now tobe adjust.
ed and compromised, relate 20 the exteGl
ofthat resistance, aud the mode OF lis ap,
plication.
The resolution have lad the honor to
submit, is brought forward solely in refer.
ence 20 those points: and is dictated by
that spirit of concession aud conciliatIon,
which have taken the liberty OF recon.
mending to others, and which, in my
judgment, is imperiously demanded by
the present critical situation Of our affairs.
am fully sensible, Mr.. President, o.
the high responsibility incurred by moving
The present resolution and ] also know,
that when nothingis left ms bit choice
Of difficulties, il is much easier TO criticise
any expedent that may be chosen, than
TO devise and present better tor consid-
Grafton, But, sir, Is should be recolIected,
that merely 10 cri,icisc or Gnd fault, hen
no espediept is left US altogether free
from Objection, is the most subordinate
Office that gsnios can perform AID at the
same time it is the least honorable Tor
The individual, ard the most improbable
10 the nation and 10 the people. make
this observation, not With view Of deter
ring gsnllemen from JsihgIng forward a..
ny fair objections to the resolution under
consideration, but merely 10 remind them
That hall consider the task unaccoE.
pIished, until they presen, some substitute
better calculated to save the honor aud
project The iuierest Of the nation; and
r!'cn this is done, will readily pay them
Tie iIibuis Of superior wisdom, and unite