The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-03-24

H Id, AoVS,
IN support IT the Iokowing resointior, moved BY
h'fn on the 9Th q the same anontA :
Resoived, That the several laws LAYING an EN-.
barge on all ships and vessels in the ports and
harbors of the United States, be repealed on the
4th OF March next, except rs to Great Britain and
France, AVID their dependencies, and that provisi.
on be made by law for prohibiting all commerce.
al intercourse with these nations and their dc q.
Tendencies, and the importation o fany article in.
to the United States, the growth, produce or ma
nufacturc of either OF the said nations, or of the
dominions of either of them.
MR. PRESIDENT,
In times of great public trial and
oiihcuity, when q proposition deeply affecting
the Character and interests of The nation is pre-.
scented tor adoption, an indispensable obligationi is
imposed upon its author to state the considerati.
ons upon which it is founded. Under this impress
sion, l shall now proceed to make as full and as
frank a Development of my inducements in mo-
wing the present resolution, as NAV consist with
the ordinary limits of discussion.
It's a circumstance greatly 10 be regretted, sir,
that as our dangers and difficulties are increasing
and pressing upon us, our divisions of opinion
respecting the proper course to be pursued re.
-iation to them, appear TO be increasing in the same
proportion. This probably arises, in a great de-
gree' from the unfortunate state of mind, produ.
ced by collisions in argument Gentlemen are in
the habit OF bending their whole Thoughts upon
the discoysry, not only Of arguments for tortifying
their own opinions, but for repelling the differ
ing opinions oftheir friends. If this habit OF re
hection could be reversed-if each gentleman
could prevail on himsclfto give full weight to the
argumsnts-to respect more the opinions and mo-
sives o.. his friends, and to doubt more the infalli-
putty OF his OWN, it is scarcely possible to be-
live, that when an union of interest is admitted
oy ali' out that some point of union in the mea
oires to promote those interests, might be found
and,agreed upon. And may we not be permit
ted 10 hope, Sir, when the fatal consequences of
divisions are SO obvious to all, that the urgency
OF our difficulties will produce this course of re
hection ! Amidst all these difficulties, it is for
tunate, however, that there is one point in which
we are all united. That is resistance to foreign
aggressions-it is true, no vote upon that point,
sPeclhcaliy, has yet been taken in this house-but
IN the other house, it has, after much discussion
and great dehberation, and the result was as near
unanlmity as could be expected upon any occasi-
on involving SO many considerations The only
points OF difference nowt to be adjusted and com
promised, relate tothe extent of that resistance,
and the mode of its application.
The resolution / have had the honor to submit,
IS brought forward solely in reference to those
He'nss; and is dictated by that spirit of concessi-
on and Cancellation, which l have taken the liber-
~ OF recommending to others, and which, in my
Judgment, is imperiously demanded by the pre-
s~hN III SiludtlOn OI our AFFAIRS.
am fully sensible, Mr.. President, of the high
responsibility incurred by moving the present re-
solution and l also know, that when nothing is
feltus but a choice of difficulties, it is much ca.
sler to %criticise any expedient that may be chosen
than TO devise and presents better for eonsidera-
ton. But, sir, 1T should be recollected, that mere
iy to criticise Oh find fault, when no expedient is
left us altogether free from Objection, is the most
subordinate office that genius can perform, and at
the same time it is the least honorable for the in.
uiViduel, and the most Improbable TO the nation
and to the people. make this observation, not
with a view of lettering gentlemen from bring.
ang forward any fair objections to the resolution
under consideration, but merely to remind them
that / shall consider the task ~unaccomplished,
unulthey present some substitute better caicula-
ited 10 save the honor and protect the interests of
the nation and when this is done, l will readily
pay them the tribute Of superior wisdom, and u
mite with them with the most fervent devotion
The resolution before you, sir, is not the one
of my choice, nor the sne by which l could wish
that my responsibility could be tested. II is the
offspring OF concIliation and of great concession
on my part. I feel, sir, in common with my fel.
ow-clttzens, asreat repugnance to war. Think
the dreadful resort should only De made in case
OF self-defence. Iprotest against war merely for
the purposes OF conquest, or agg randizement; but
in my opinion war is amply justified by the exis-
ting crisis.
In my Judgment, if the public sentiment could
be broughtt to support them, wisdom would die
tate the combined measures of embargo, non-in-
tercourse and war. / have no doubt but that their
combined influence would be the most eficaci-
Gus IN meeting and s~ubduing the crisis but, sir,
very few gentlemen, l believe, have brought
their minds up to this state of energy and per.
haps, in the present state of the public mind, dis
tracted and drawn by various decisions, as il is,
from the real source of our injuries, the expert
ment might he deemed a rash one ; even if it
could be obtained. I have, however, sir, so
much confidence in the good sense and patriot
ism of the people, and in the efficacy of these
measures, that l will briefly state their probable
effects for the consideration Of the people and
I am the more disposed to do so, because I be-
lieve the time is not past, but is fast approaching,
when the whole energy of the nation must be
called forth, to save what we have left of our no.
nor, independence and dearest interests. These
would be the obvious effects of the combined i'll
fuence OF the measures suggested. Embargo
would deprive our real enemy of many of our
productions, which / believe to be indispensable
TO his prosperity in many respects MOI. Inter
course would deprive him Of our market for his
surplus manufactures, AN operation not less iniu-
rious to hin than the other, whilst war could be
made TO retort upon him ZONE of the evils of his
own injustice. / would present nothing of value
to him on the ocean, to whet his cupidiy, and sti-
pulate him 10 a perseverance in the war. / would
front him on the ocean with empty destructive
ships, brave and hardy defenders of them, and