Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-03-10
S P F. f. G. H


Delivered by Mr.. Giles in the Senate of
the United States, on the 18th day o.
February, 1909, in support of the follow.
= ing resolution moved by him on the Stl
ofthe same month.
Resolved, That the several laws layisn
an embargo on all ships and vessels in the
ports and hsrbors of the United States, be
repealed on the 4th of March next, except
as TO Great Britain and France, and thei,
dependencies, and ttat provision be mad {
by law for prohibiting al commercial in
tercourse with these nations and their de
Tendencies, and the Importation of any ar.
ticle into the United States, the growth
produce, or manufacture of either of the
said nations, or of the dominions of either
of them.
CConcluded from orr last.
| fear, Mr.. President, an tres
passing too much on the kind indul-
gence of the senate: But, sir, | cam
not conclude my observations without
examining the most prominent objec-
tions urged against a war with Great
Britain. This 1 propose to 60 with
candor and impartiality.
This first objection is derived from
the supposed character Of the quarre.
in which Great Britsin is engaged.
1t is said she is fighting the battles OF
the world against the spirit of French
domination. That her national exis-
tence is at stake. That she is lighting
merely for her natali solum, &c. whilst
France is contending for the DONNA
ton ofthe world-This is not the true
character of the quarrel. They are
both fighting for domination each up
on the element to which he can apply
his power. France claims domination
On the land-Great Britain on the o.
cean. But it is SAID, if the emperor
of France should succeed and destroy
Great Britain, or control her feet, his
power would be directed against the
United States, and they would be tn
next victim. This is a remote and
extremely improbable contingency.
It is my opinion that the chances are
greatly in favor Of Great Britain's sue
ceeding in the contest; aud l believe
that our situation would be just as cri-
teal, If Great Britain, having the com.
mand OF her fleet, had also the com
mand of the men on the continent, as
If France, having the command of the
men on the continent, had also the
command of the British feet. In ell
ther event we sould expect no mercy,
and our only reliance for preserving
our independence would be as it ought
always to be, upon our own courage
and resources. I should, therefore
deprecate either of these events. But
sir, whilst should deplore the cir
cumstance Of either of these nation.
subduing the other, 1 ,hink the chan
ces of ultimate success in favor o
Great Britain. will state few O.
the grounds Of this opinion--In Grea
Britain the government is strong, sta
bic and popular, and from her insulal
situation, the navy affords the nation 8
complete protection against foreign
invasion. The resources of Grsa
Britain are great, and her people brave
and loyal, &c. &c. These afford sei
strong securities. In France, the or.
der OF thingsis scarceivsettlel. The
dynasty is new, probably depending or
the life of single individual. The
chances Of his death alone, and proba.
bic consequences fowI q from that sin
gle event, give tn Great Britain a bet.
ter prospect Of find success 10 the con
test, than any reasonable calculation 0
probable events would give France i,
relation to the conquest o. .. Britain
The consideration, the, efors, has n,
alarms or terrors for me. IT is Ger
tainly a mere possible contingency a
gainst every calculation upon probal,l,
events. II is visionary. Hat, sir
where does this sensi5iIity--I will no
eailit sympathy, because Great Britai