The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-01-17

to dispense, &c. when their sole objcct is TO
disperse as soon as the mischief is accom-
Z plisheds this too would be almost instantane.
ous-ltcertainly would, sir. This is surely II
stronger case than the one which called forth
precisely a similar provision in 1894, for seiz
ing, &c. vessels intended to be fitted out as
privateers in violation of the existing laws:
this case is before referred to in the course
OF these observations. The necessity and
propriety of this provision is so obvious, that
the people themselves have discovered the
want ot 1t, AMI ate nov beginning 10 teutisr
their services for enforcing the embargo
laws, in places where they have witnessed
their violation-and shall Congress be de-
TERED from accepting this the honorable and
patriotic tender of their services. AS an
honorable testimony of this fact, i have Just
had put into my hands, the patriotic resoiu-
tions of the people of the town of Marble
head in Massachusetts. They are SO highly
honorable to the patriotism, disintcrested-
ness and good sense of the people of that
town, that L beg leave to present them to the
Senate in their own words:
AT a meeting of the freeholders and others,
Inhabitants .of the town of M~arblehead,
legally convened at the town house, in said
town, on Tuesday, ths 9TH day of Deem
Der, 1903, at half past two o'clock in the
afternoon.
Capt. Richard James, Moderator.
The following resolves being read, it was
unanimously voted that they pass:
RcSotUed, That this town continues stead
fast ia the faith that the embargo law was
a law of wisdom, and that the President and
Congress Of the United States, are entitled
and shall receive our warmest thanks for
their early attention to the independence,
liberty and just rights of the Union, and par
t%iculariy of the commercial part thereof.
EeSofUed, That this town will use all the
energy they possess, to carry into full effect
all laws the present Congress have or NAV
enact tor the support of our just and equal
rights as an independent nation, against the
unjustifiable, tyrannical andimperial orders
and DEGREES of the beiligerent powers Of Eu-
rope, by proterring to our country, our pro-
perry and services.
VOTED, A committee be appointed to
transmit to Joseph Story, Esq. our represen-
tative i'll Congress, the doings of this meet
ing
VOTED, The above committee consist of
the following persons: Captains William
Story, Nathan B.. Martin and Joseph Ped
rick.
Attest,
JOSHUA PRENTIS, 7osyn Clerk.
Upon a candid view of this terrific objecti-
on, l think | am warranted in the Conciusi-
ON, that the provision partakes nothing of
the character of mi +, ~ despotism-but is
full justified both by principle and prece-
dent.
Sill further to excite our alarms, intima-
tions have been thrown out, but family [
acknowledge, that the embargo laws are
unconstitutional. After what had taken place
upon that subject, In 1894, by the unanimous
Consent OF all the departments, as well as
what has lately been decided upon in that
respect / really should have been surpri-
zed, on entering boarding school, to have
heard that question propounded, merely TO
try the skill! or whet the ingenuity of spout
img boys, or lisping misses but to near it in
timated by grave Legislators, IN quest of
truth, and engaged in directing the practi-
cal operation of the government. even too by
Judges and lawyers. is to me really aston
iShing. am astonished, that the respect
they must feel Tor the opinions of their ac-
quaintances, as well DIS of future times, could
not deter them from hazarding themselves
upon such a suggustion. But, sir, ! find with
IN a few days past, the mental optics of some
gentlemen have been upon the stretch to dis
cover other doubts, which under the names
OF casus omissus, OF some other subtleties.
are transformed into realities, SO formidable
as to destroy the whole energy of the consti-
tuition, and arrest completely the practical
operation of the government. / allude, sir,
to the supposed discovery of the gentleman
from Massachusetts (Mr. Lloyd that Con-
srcss could make no regulation of mmerc
betwcenthe ports of the same state, altho'
he will ind the principle settled in every
law that ever was passed for regulating
the c%oasting trade /; that the same principle
was formally decided by the unanimous vote
OF this body only a year ortwo ago, and with
not more than five dissentients in the other
House and even they might have been inlu-
enced by some collateral considerations
when it is also considered, that without the
exercise of this power, several of The most i'm
portant specific powers, would be rendered
wholly nugatory. Yes, sir, every speck
which a disturbed imagination had supposed
1t had discovered upon the horizon of the
constitution, is now by the help of mental
8 microscopes, transformed into a tremendous
cloud, frdught with dreadful storms and hor-
rid thunders: and which in its destructive
course, is to tear up all our rights and liber
ties BY the roots! Sir, It's time to turn from
such Improbable crutinics--'ti time q
bend our thoughts on other objccts-'tis time
to face the public dangers and to repel them.
The last tocsin of alarm which has been
> sounded upon this occasion, is the suspend
on OF the privilege ofthe writ of habeas cor
pus.* We have been reminded of the pro
ceeding- OF this house. upon that subject, and
= the fate they experienced in the other house
Instead ut this circumstance being urged
las an Ammunition IN thpga D,O 1viel, ro so,