Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-01-03
CONG r E S S.
Senate Of TIE United States.
.l,tr. Giilss's SI9eech Continued.


fish orders and acts of parliament, we NOT
only know from the measures themselves,
bat we know it was so understood, in the
British parliament, at the time Of their a
daption. AS an evidence Of this fact, let
nae cali Your most serious attention, sir, to
some of The observations made in Parlia-
nent, at the time Of their adoption, parti-
cuiarlv the observations Of lord Grenyille
in the house of lords.
HIS lorelship said, " as to the duties pro-
posec. to be levied under these orders Of
council, he should only say, that when the
peace Of 1872 took place, he never thought
he should have lived, or that the British
parliament should have lived TO see the day
when proposition should be made to tax
America - Ard when similar sugses-
ton was made in tie house of Commons,
what was Mr.. Canning's reply? Did he
B derry the object? No, sir: But begged the
gentlemen in the opposition not to tell the
secret TO the Americans Hush, gentle
men, was, in substance, his reply. Thus
adding inss&;anisy and insult to the arrogant
pretension. Upon this part Of the subject
shall make 10 comment It IS imPossi-
BE to improve the eloquence OF this par]ia-
mcntary language Thrust strike deep m
TO the heart Of every true American!
The gentleman from Connecticut (Mr.
Hillhouse1 says no tribute viii be paid, be-
cause there viii be no inducsment TO pay 1t.
France will not receive vessels into her
ports, which h2ve submitted TO such dis
grace. 1t is admitted that the tribute is
imposed; and to avoid ne payRaent of II,
we are L: .ook to France: 10 give Up our
national character and our national honor
to the safe keeping Of the French emperor.
THE gentleman rose to explain. he pro-
tested against making any such inference.
This was admitted. He only stated the
facts and supplied the inference. The In
ference from the facts | deem irresistible.
despise, sir, this miserable subtertuSe.-
Let rs act Ike nation Of freereen-Let Us
be the conservators of our own honor and
character. We should be the gamers by it
upon the most economical calculation, in
pounds, sliilIings and pence. Our national
character is now worth more than the de!u
sive gains held out by this miserable COM
merce, and would sell for more in every
market: submit to this disgraceful tribute,
ii would not be worth cent, and would
net sell fer it in any market.
The gentleman from Connecticut Ir.
Hillhouse) says, that the embargo is sub
mission to the mandates of both France and
Great Britain, and therefore dishonorable.
He makes this statement-France says you
shall not trade with G. Britain--G. Britain
savs YOU shall not trade with France; and
we say we will not trade with either, and
therefore crafty both. The fallacy of this
argument consists IN the mistate ment,-.
France says you may trade with NE, and
am anxious you should do so, but You shall
not trade with c.. Britain; we say We will
not trade with yeu nor with G. Britain
Now, sir, is this yielding to the mandate,
or gratifying the wish of France? Ger
tainly not. c.. Britain uses the same Ian
guage, and meets with the same reply
Now / contend that we have neither yield
ed submission, nor gratihed the wish of 81
her but have resisted the wishes and man.
dtes of both; and have no doubt that
bob are astonished at the honorable and
diGi6ed attitutc we have assumed and hi
Their persisted in.
b1 sir, the gentleman intimates, that
the goernment OF the U. S. has suspended
rod CIR the head of Great Britain, and
asks, wther any American would negoci-
ate With rod suspended, over his head !?
Let me AIN turn, sir, if the gentleman's
propos,tioA not submission; not indeed
*hlle .ae 70 suspended over our heads /;
but VINE y applied with the most unrs-
Asn' 'Ss oar backs? | was really