The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-01-12

enacted, that this act, and the act laying ain
embargo. ard the laws supplementary to il,
be repealed on the fourth of March next"
m. Covt moved to adjourn-Ayes &c.
MIR. Sioafat said, he was not prepared to
say that there might not be a time when the
embargo Ought to be removed, even if our
diihcuities were not removed; but he was
certain, that whenever it was removed, some
ether measure must be adopted. He moved
as an amendment to the gentlcman's motion
the following: and hat from and after the
fourth day Of March next, it shall be lawful
for the President Of the u. States, to issue
letters OF marque and reprisal to such citi-
zens OF the u. States as shall apply for
against the nations having edicts vio-
lating the lawful commerce OF the United
Mr.. LiUermore said. it was true that the
Congress of the u. States had the power of
declaring war; but he did not know that
they could delegate the power to the Presi-
lSiit Vi the C.Statas. lie said. ivu va, ,ios
surprized at it for they seemed to have az
rived at a period when they should cf.use a
dictator, and vest him with the DOW .r of
life and death.
Mr.. ETthcs said, that the gentleman from
North Carolina, had expressed clearly his
'dca that he WAS not prepared to vote on
the amendment of Mr.. S,urses, and merely
meant 70 express his idea that If the embar-
go was taken off st this moment letters of
Marquc ought to be granted. lnthis opinion,
Mr.. EppeS conceded with him exactlv.-
The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
i1ircruore) did not pretend to SAY thai
Congress had not the power to issue letters
OF marquc and reprisai. Who then, (said
hc) is to sign them? Our Speaker ? No,
SIR, most probably the Executive, TO whom
the yantIarnap -, -, trl,l.of .
err. | shall votc for the amendment of the
gentleman from North Carolina. but do NOT
consider it as hedging me to vose for the
who.e section OF the gentleman from Con
(Mr. Sturses) as proposed to be
though will not say that on the
fourth of March, it might not be proper to
SO.
Mr.. Bionnt roce to correct an impression
which appeared to exist, that he was anxious
to so to war. There was not a man in the
house that was less disposed for it in vot
ing Tor the embargo he had been actuated
by Il desire to avert it. He wa. still in ia
vor OF a continuance OF the embargo, aud
hoped 1t would yet avert war. He had in
sroiuccG this amendment 70 register his
vote. that cur injuries had bccn such as
could not be passed over, and that if the
was taken o., war must be reYort-
TO, lie should vote for the amendment x
,or the section as amended. He modified
his amendment To suit the taste of the gen
rom MassacIIusetts (hIr. Liver
!Aore} so as to read. " it s,iaii he lawful for
the U. states to issue letters, &c"
Mr 4. X "itiIns said, it Was very ca
to discover what was the object of the gen
from Connecticut, To call the yeas
and nays on one question or other, till the emp
ty seats on his side OF the house were h!ied,
a mi thew NynhiI n ~ cr.% tb. ..:. ~
wa sorry that the gentleman from North
Carolina, had made AN object so unimpor-
tanta as he did. he really wished that le
would withdraw his amendment. Every
consideration Of policy was against its being
decided tonight.
MIR. StHrges assured the gentleman from
South Carolina, that he had 10 chicancry in
ms nature his only object as to obtain 4 dt-
rect decision of the question. He dlsciaim-
the motive attributed 10 him.
Mr.. H.. G.Jackson said if the gentleman
from connecticut intended to vote for his
a~mendmeat, he must certainly vote for
that OF the gentleman from N. Carolina
Mr. Biount withdrew his amendment,
will, a declaration that if Mr.. Stur:es's a.
mendment were adopted, he should move it
rs Il new section.
After some observations from Mr.. Quincy
in favor of, and Mr.. Macon against the new
section proposed.
Mr.. tnlhehher moved to adjourn-Ayes
IS.
Mr.. g.. ". Camh6eN opposed the resolu-
ton in a speech of few inmates.
MIR. Dana spoke about a hour in favor OF
It. Mr.. Macon spoke In reply for half an
h our.
MIR. Lyon spoke in favor of the amend
ments about twenty minutes.
Mr.. SmiHt spoke in reply ,.bout the same
So'clock-Mr. Stanford moved to adj ourn
Ayes 90.
Mr.. Livernore spoke in favor of the a.
and in reply to MIR. Smile about
tweny minutes.
Mr.. Masters commenced a speech in ia
of the amendment. After having spo-
Ken about twenty minutes, he was called to
order, III the amidst q history of the trial of
Louis XVI and resumed his seat.
9 o'clock-Mr. EUiot rose and
ed a pecch i'll favor of the resolution. Be-
fore Inc had been speaking many minutes, he
was called To order by Mr.. ;. G. Jackson !;
tho Speaker decided that he was not in or
der. Mr.. GARDENER appealed from his
decision, which was confirmed by a large
majority. Mr.. Elliot proceeded in reading
through the documents communicated this
session. He was repeatedly called to order;
but the Speaker uniformly decided that if
the gentleman chose to make any pamphlet