Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-01-13
sOeh provision, he could no, treat his obser-

could not have understood him as ahuding
to the bill as it now stood, but as II had
cpme from the Senate The gentleman
had asked him as a lawyer, whethera man
could enter house without warrant and
seize prrpe,tv1 He could not by virtue of
law. and why? Because the constitute
on would prevent him. But this did not
take away the improperly of passing such
law. He did not believe that the courts
Of irsiice had become 50 corrupt, or would
display such vile submission TO any
authority as to submit to carry into
effect law which was unconstitutional
He said, that he attributed no wrong in
tention to gentlemen but he conceived 1T
possible that their feelings might hide from
them the true construction OF the law. he
warned gentlemen against it. Gentlemen
might talk about asses and geese, for he
su imposed the gentleman meant to be severe
upon him--if so, he would return the COM
pliment Mr. Eppes said, he had not APP
piled the observation To any one; IT there
was any application in the case, the gem
tleman had certainly taken it to himself. ]
Mr.. L said, he had expressed no opinion,
but UGH as were founded OH mature re"
fection.
After some remarks in explanation from
Mr. DANA
The question On Mr.. Pitkin's amendment
WIS taken; and it was negatived--Yeas
d -Navs 81.
Mr.. S,urgss moved to amend the last
section. by striking ut the term of hmita"
ton of the law To the duration OF the EN-
barge, aud inserting as the period at which
this bill should expire, "the first day OF
June next"
Mr.. G. w. Campbell observed, that al.
III ugh he was decidedly opposed to this
motion, he wished it tn be understood tina,
long before the first of June, he might not
be willing to adopt stronger measure,
if NJ change Of our situation tork place.
The question WIS token on striking ont
the words in the bill, tomake room for the
amendment, and lost-Ieas 27--Nays IS.
MIR. Sturges' amendment of course fell
with it.
Mr. Sturees then offered the following,
as new section to ih~ bill; "And be IL
further enacted, that this act, and tine act
laying an embargo. and the laws supple
mentary TO 1t, be repealed on the fourth of
March ncx."
Mr.. Cook moved 10 adiourn--Ayes 90.
Mr.. Biount said, he w; S not prepared to
say that there might not be time when
the embargo ought to be removed. even #
our d fficulties were not removed; but he
was certain, that whenever it WAS remov-
ed, sone Other measure must be adopted.
he moved as an amendment 10 the gentle
mans motion the following: 'Fand that from
and after the fourth day OF March next. it
sh all be lawful tor the President of the u.
States, TO ssue letters of marque and repri-
sal to such citizens of the u >. as shall
apply for them, against the nations having
edcts in force violating the lawful COM
perce of the u. States"
Live ro1nre cd. II that
the Congress ofthe U States had the p W.
err o, declaring war; but he did not know
that they could delegate the power TO the
PresIdent of the u. States. He said he
was not surprized at it; for they seemed
TO have arrived at period WHEN they
should choose dict tor, and vest him with
the power of life nd death.
MIR. Eppcs said, hat the gentleman from
North Carolina, had expressed clearly his
idea that he was not prepared to vote on
the amendment of Mr.. Sturges, and mere
ly meant to- express his IDEA that If the
embargo was taken off at this moment,
letters of narque ought ia be granted IN
this opinion, Mr.. Eppes conceded with
him exactly. The gentleman from Mas
sachusetts (Mr. Lvermore) d d not pre-
tend to say that Congress had not the DOW
er TO issue letters of marque and reprisal. I
WAC then, (said he) is to- sign them! Our
Speaker! No, sir; most probably the ex
ecutive, to whom the gentleman is so ten
DER of granting power ] shall vote for
the amendment of the gentleman from
NORTH Carolina, but do nor consider it as
pledging me 10 vote for the whole section
of the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr |
S,urges) IS proposed to be amended tho
will not say tht on the fourth of March,
IL might not be proper 20 do SO.
Nj BlNunt rose To correct n impression |
which appeared to exist, that he was any
ious to go TO war. There was not man
in the house that was less disposed for il I; !
In vo ing for the embargo ne had been ac-
tuated by a desire To avert il. He was
81 II in favor of continuance Of the em.
barge, aud hoped it would yet avert war |
He introduced this amend ment to register I
his vote, hat our injuries had been such as
could not be passed over, and that if the |
embargo was taken off, war must be re-
sor'ed 20. He should vote for the amend |
nent and for the section as amended He
modified his argument 90 suit the taste Of
the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. |
Livermore) So as 20 read, sit shall be law
for the United ) ares to issue letters, &c"
Mr. ID n. Williams said, it was very
easy 20 discover what was the object of the |
gentleman from Connecticut, to call the