The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-12-14

of our government residing near foreign
courts-ef course the same laws. to wit, the
laws and asdges of nations. were left re-
|ciprocaisy to govern in every reciprocal
case. u
But. sir. Notwithstanding the President is
Invested with the power Ito receive anlbas-
sailors and other public ministers - aud as
l think all other incidental or conseqr enrial
powers applicable to the various agencies
with such ambassadors and other public mi
nistcrs; yet Congress is invested with the
power without limit alton or qualification,
to declare war" Now. sir, it must be OBJ
vious to every understanding. that these Sc
veral powers are so Intimately connected
and may De SO dependant upen each other
that the exercise Of the power conceded to
the President, NAV consequektially involve
the necessity of the exercise Of the power
conceded to Congress; as in the case now
under consideration the refusal of the Ex-
ecutive to receive any further communicate
ons from. his Britannia Majesty's minister,
Mr. jackson, may consequentlaliy involve us
in a war With Great Britain; or in Other
words may serve as a pretext to Great Bri
tam to make war upon Us, if'she shoiit, con.
ceive 1t her interest 10 do so, which think
not sery improbable. Hence arises in my
Judgment, the prcpriety & urgency OF an c x,
preston OF the Congressional opinion uDo.
this Executive act, and declaration of the
Congressional will as To the course OK con,
duct Congress VII. pursue under any c,c,se-
quences which may flow from, or possibly be
attributed TO this Executive act.
| conceive, sir. that the expression of this
opinion, and the pledge of solemn declara.
ton, by Congress, are due To the people !;
because the people have the deepest inte-
req In the character of their government !;
and III no part OF ats attributes have n deep
er interest, ,han-in its efficacy TO resist and
lrepel injuries and insults from foreign gov
crnmen,s the people also arc either the
mediate or immediate electors of Congress.
and as such have right to expect and de
mand, that Congress will execute all their
/ duties and viii never shrink from their con
sututionai responsibility in any case and
last OF all, in Case of so high and solemn
character, as the one under consideration
Ibis Course of conduct is essentially due
to the Executive. The President eight RI
know. whether, with the indispensable CO O
peration of Congress, he ought to proceed
with dignifed moderation and intelligence
TO assert and maintain the rights, the honor
and the interests of the American people, OF
whethertor the want of thai Co operation, he
Snail win shame and confusion of face be
lcompelied TO retrace his steps and leave RI
TIE na,ion, and with their degradation ia
record their counsry's ruin and disgrace =
no SIR, II is not possible, thf. an American
Congress does exist, or can ever exist tina,
would not spurn IRON themselves every YES.
i tige OF an idea, that they could be brouph,
under any circumstances to perform so de
grading and dishonorapie task.
Ii is imaeriously demanded by the dignity
and candor OF Congress itself. that. sir
snail me exercise of one of the highest CON.
stituti8nai functions of Congress be broueh,
INTO Question, aud every individual in the
nation engaged IN expressing an opinion OF
II; and snail Congress alon- stand aloof 70,
tear OF inrnrring responsibility imposed
ON them by the constitution Shall Con
gress stand by as idle SPECTATORS. and see ?
contest before the people Between the Pre-
sident and a Foreign minister, sud feel no in
terest and take no share in such an unpre
cedented scene especially when one O.
their highest constitutional functions NAV be
affected by II No. Sir Congress INNS,
speak must act-Congress neye,
can SHRINK from its constitutional respons
oility Iii is due TO the dgnity--.it is de
manded from the candor of Congress
Above all, sir it is important to The u s
as nation, that the Congressional will shoult
be proclaimed upon this delicate and solemn
occasion. 1t is of Importance. it may be o
the lat Importance, to the u. States tina
Great Britain should know, before sue de
cldes upon this subject, what's the Congress
sionai viii IN relation TO it9 Whether sh,
WIN De Called upon to act against an united
tharmohized governments, and people or whe
ther she shall have for her prey. n divided
tpeopie, and discordant government
Do you not believe, Mr. President. tha
the coacuct of Great Britain, wonld be yerl
different under these different conditions o
the people and government of the Unitct
States! Let me ask YOU this question. Sir
wouid you rot, sir, .fyou were prime minis
Ter OF Great Britain, Consulting her inter
es1s alone pursue very different course o.
Conduct under this different state of things
Let every gentleman put the question I,
himself; ana the answer OF every one would
be the same. Why then, sir, do we not u
UNANIMOUSLY take the ground here, which il
we were called upon to act in an opposite
hostile Character, would most Certainly de-
'er US from perscveiing in that hostile cha
racter against the United Statess Sir 4
'here had becn any doubt upon this subject
oar late experience ought to have removed
1t; for, sir, have no hesitation in sav,ng
ana win pain at heart I shall be cornpelIed
to shew it in the Course Of this debate tha,
IN my judgment, our present embarrassments
are too much to be ascribed to orr forne,
manifestations of INDIGESTION, to OF, unfor,n
/ nate dissentions and divisions. Sir, sybene
yer approach this sorrowful and awf,,l
subject, my heart feels as if il were bleed.
ing at every pore, when am compelled to
renect, and tobeiieve. that this our beloved
ana HAPPY country may shortly Become :,
bleeding victim from zpo,,uJs IS -. =: