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

Ga this motion a debateo of three hour took
place. OF this debate our croudcd columSs
will not permit US to give more tian sufhci-
ient to mark its spirit
Mr.. Smile observed that on reflection eve
nv gentleman must be convinced that both
our internal and external situation rendered
it proper that Congress should be convened
carrier ,han the usual time.
Mr.. E3acon said. that as the constitution
had given 10 the President . power o call
Congress whenever me should Judge IL eX-
pedient and as the President would have
a full knowledge Of the state of our foreign
relations, he was wiliirg to leave the power
with him, believing that if necessary, he
would not fail to exercise it. He was also
oDposed to adopting this resolution at this
time, because in six weeks hence 1t would
he time enough to propose ii.
Mr.. Sogthard observed. that the resolu-
ton hut proposed an enquiry, and no one
would commit himself, by voting for it, to
vote f0r an earlier meeting than usual.
Mr.. DureH was opposed to TINS resouti-
on; for he had no idea Of closing the session
without taki>g further steps in regard to our
foreign relations.
Mr. Holland thought the resolution who'll
" premature.
IIr. TaHmadSe was also opposed to the
resolution. He conceived that the House
had better proceed in the business which
lay before them. When they had progressed
farther. they might be much better able to
decide this question.
Mr.. Nfchoias saiu thatif, instead Of re-
solution, thiS was bill on its third reading,
he was ready 70 sote for it. He lamented
that the term of ser. ice Of the present Con
gress expired as early as the fth day OF
March. He wished it TO meet as soon alter
as. practicable. He alluded to the state OF
Tenressee'sn not ciNsing its representative
in Congress before August. Ee said 1t would
Dc al etuJurrassir TX ming 10 convene Con
gress before the governor Of thatstate could
convene the legislature, 70 provide tor an ear
Her election, and supply the representa;io.
of that impcrtsnt state Admitt that tne pre-
sent Congress we're to declare ZoaT, no gen
tleman would deny that Congress ought TO
convene earlier than usual. fit we're not
done this session, he would lofg before the
lstc Deoenoer, give his vote for changing
THE tt;tude of he nation TAe experiment
wilicn we we're now making, would have been
ccontiued as far as Unsuitable before that
time. He said he woud not trust the dis
erection of any one man. under these circurh-
stances, to convene Congress: though he
had as much conf1euce ia the person whose
duty it would be, as enc mar ought to have
in another.
Mr.. Dana said he had not the slightest
suspicion Of any intention in the present
Congress to declare war. Even the inhabi-
tants of Bedlam would refuse to concur in
such arroject. He reallyhadn 10 idea Oft. He
wisiIedth the country not 10 be continually a
1armedby these war speeches Keep out OF
war; if yorcan, (saidh y ifnot go into it do
not look at it and proclaim it as so horrible a
thing. lie was in favor of this resolution, be-
cause it was for an enquiry, and he might
possibly vote for the bill when reported.
Mi. %. X Williams opposed the resolu-
ton. Ever circumstance he said, Showed
that Great Britain predicated her measures,
on an idea of our want of stability. He wish
ed not to accomplish her expectations by
early session. If the extra session were
proposed with a view to TOa', 1T was extreme
ly injudicious if with a view to the repeal
of the cn,batgo, it was equally injurious, as
it indicated to our enemies the period *
which one treasure should cammenCe, or
the other cease. He wished to hold on to
theehbargo. He had 40 doubt IF its proving
ehectual. # auv change IF our situation
should take place. the Constitution had vest
ed in the head of cur foreign relations a
power to caH Congress.
Mr.. Story had 10 idea ct the resolution
producing the cHect anticipated by Mr.. Will
fiams. He would he the last man TO doubt
the ability or integrity of inc administrati-
on hnt why throw The responsibility On his
shoildersf Why shrink rom il themselves
When thev 1.o,.e were Vested with the pow
er To declare war, Why not listen to the
warning voice of Providence attend at their
posts, and prepsre a whole system which
should CALI lortae active cooperation of the
people Tid Congress mean to say, that
The eub3rFa s1oald be co-e%istent with the
ortssS AZ |ctuncil9 Jhatit was to endure
f%orever' lie trusted and believed, that this
wos nor the 5entiocmt NJ anv gentlesGhn who
occupied 3 seat on this floor The time was
fasi approaching when this measure must
give wayto one 4 a more energetic tharac-
ter. And nc distinctly understood. that it
was ccrtemplated that Congres, should con
vene at an early period for discussing this
subject. Was Great Britain so totally m
acquainted with the subject as not to 1now
that this body had the poRcrtc declare war ?
Certainly not. So far then as the cal Of an
extra session could influence Great britain
aud France, it would go far to convince them
that submission would not be the course
Of men whose hearts were in their country,
ard who had their conntry IN their hearts
Mr.. > made some remarks, tending 70 sliew
that the councils of the mother country were
not gaiced b. the cool dictates Of reasoD.-
When Great Britain lost (as a great States
man had Observed "the biiphteet level of