Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-01-03

that this fact could be proved in a couf,
lof justice. Perhaps there may be gen
ltlemen here from Boston, who could
lgive us more particular information
upon this subject l feel, Sir, con-
decension in touching upon this sub
ject. wish TO see all extraneous in-
Huence utterly banished from the coun-
try, and the only operating influence
American influence.
have, now, Sir, gone through this
unpleasant, and, fear, Improbable
discussion, respecting the character of
measures heretofore adopted by the
government the only hope / have
from it is that it may put us into bet
ter temper for deliberAting on the mea-
sures now proper to be adopted. Let
me then, Mr.. President, call the at
'tention of the senate, to the actual ST.
tuation of the United States at this
time.
The United States are now left a.
lone to protect neutral principles "a
gainss the belligerent encroachments
of warning world.-In all former
wars, the belligerent encroachments
have been proportioned to the inau-
|ence OF the powers at war, compared
TO the influence OF those remaining at
peace; but believe history presents
no example of the warning powers a
any former time putting at defiance alt
neutral rights, all public law. 1t re-
maiued for the present times TO wit
ness this unexampled aggression and
it remained for the y. S alone to bear
the shock. This state Of things imposes
on them great, sacred obligation.
The obligation of protecting neutral
principles Principles which lessen the
Inducements TO war, & mitigate its ~
gor.-Principles highly interesting to
mankind not only to the present, bu,
to future generations, and in peculi.
ar manner, to the people OF the Uni
ted States. This arises from their
remote situation from the great con
tending nations of Europe.-Hitherto,
Sir, the talents displayed in defining,
and the magnanimity in protecting
these principles, have obtained for the
u. States, the respect and sympathy
Of an astonished world.-And shall
we, Sir, at the moment of an rxtraor
binary pressure, basely abandon them
without striking blow? Forbid it in
tcrestl Forbid it honor! FORBID il
American galiantry But, Sir, some
gentlemen seem not sufficiently i'm
pressed with the hostile character of
the belligerent aggressions.-With
respect to those of France, tAere is bu.
one opinion. Tney amount to hosti-
lity itself.-But, Sir, TO my astonish-
ment, the acts OF O.. Britain seem not
to have made the same strong impress
sion on the minds of some gentlemen.
Let me then enquire Sir, into the real
character Of acts which can by some
gentlemen be palliated or excused !?
They are acts amounting To coloniza-
tion and taxation. TO the exercise of
the national sovereignty of the United
States. q. Britain has even gone SO
| far, as to exercice an act of sovereign
ty over the people of the y. STATES,
which they would not entrust to Con-
gress; but retained to themselves in
their highest sovereign capacity.
| The British orders OF council, now sane
toned by an act of parliament, direct all
vessels, laden with the produce OF the Uni
tied States destined to any OF the ports of
the enemies of Great Britain, to call at a
British port, and then to pay an enormous
transit duty, and accept license for the
further prosecution of the voyage and up
onrefusai, they are forced to do so by Br-
fish armed ships.-This is literally and
precisely the introduction of the old, and
long established colonial principle of coer.
cling all the commerce of the colony to the
ports of the mother country, there to pay
transit duty for their protection by the
mother country I'm the colonial state, the
mandate of the mother country was sufiici-
Ient to effect this object.-Now The same
object IS effected by an armed force
This is the only real difference in the two
cases But, SIR, this Is not all Great
Britain has attempted by an act Of Paflia-
ment, to exercise AN act IF sovereignty o.
yer the United States, soiemny gwen by
the people TO their Congress >-AmOngs
the powers gwen to Congress, mud these
words. -" Congress, shall have power to
regulate commerce with foreign nations"