Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-06-26
a'ssanrrta zoal1p oa,stts.
M6npd7, JUNE IS.
--&SS~--
CONGRESS.
HOUSE 0FREPREsEETATlysc
FRIDAY, 1une %.
LcoNcLuDED.]
Taken far the Alea0ndria Gazette. ]


the entry of the armed vessels OF any r,G,
whatever, under consideration.
/ MIR. Ross. This is very inno,,,.
subject, and ought to be considered VI
candor and deliberation but have MT !
examination of the arguments been able b
discover the propriety of the amendnsr5
The question proper to be considered 4
whether it would be sound policy to adm
| the armed vessels of both France and g.,
| land, and it has been said the object
impartial operation, but it appeared NO! 4
to me for it will be seen that France hal
no commerce, and that all the vessels ,YhdS
sail from her ports are armed, and hs
would in fact be opening our ports to alda
maritime shipping Of France, without an
enumeration, which would give her SO mua
the advantage over England as that povu
gains that advantage in consideration
certain stiPulations. 1T there was just caus. /
to interdict the vessels Of France, has htng
been just cause for relinquishment ofi5asS
only reason Ihave heard assigned, was, thaaS
soon as we should make England rcspecS
our rights, France would also respect them 4
but is this supposition sufficient grcud1
to make us relinquish the firm stand VtS
took at the last session | think not but !
I am not satisfied with merely interdicing| 1
the vessels Of France would go farther i
am opposed to a repeal Of the lnterdlcilI
on English men Of war for dis repeal EhGS
have we but promise, which promise
hope viii be performed but as it was la!
a preliminary to this promise, [ see nora
son for repeal. It might be said thatt:
Introduction of British vessels was owingoS
the attack on the Chesapeake, and cons;.
quently when attonement was given iorhGl
act, all interdict should cease. Letus haTsi
little patience and see how the subjecH
stands have we actually got that atom
ment ? For [ am willing to act only OIL
what have knowledge we have recely'qH
we have yet but promises: under this yeFS
would it be prudent On the present occasM5
to rescind what was thought prudent on'l
former? the contrary conduct appears To-
me 10 be most proper. Iwould continue II
on till the President had received full and
entire atonemert would not change the
present situation OF the country or the law
would do no more on the present occaidl
than mighs give the President power to re-
peal whatever ulight Interfere with the pre-
sent negotiation. Ii We should now admfE
the armed vessels Of France and ENGLAND
might they not bring with them and glveG5
reasons from their cannon for not connplym5S
with the agreement. would give the Pres
dent the power as it stood in the law OF n'A
last session, which he might WELD as \
shield, pending these negotiations. Tot
peal the Introduction on French vessels
would be abandoning that impartial ground
taken by the law OF the last session; audi
why should we abandon that impartla
ground? We would make a sorry hgaf'
in the eyes of the world, and our own nS'
ton, after thus opening our ports, to hs@
that France had declared war against u.s.
l am opposed to repeating the interdict win
regard to France, and any farther IN reH'
ton to England than the n2goclation re-
qures.
Mr. Gold moved to expunge IN the a,
mendment what related to the admission y
vessels of all nations whatever, and lnSert
British vessels. He observed, now thar
am up, will notice some OF the observe
tons made On the principle OF the amend.
ment. 1t had been asked by the gentler1lal
from Virginia (Mr. Love what had France
done to merit our severity? As an answet
let me ask what did she which governsG1
that gentleman's vote at the last session u
Congress, interdicting her shipping Anu
what did she since that time to demand ou,
lenity Suppose France should deny To. %.
vessels of the United States the rights o.
hospitality in her ports, would not that J US
tify our severity on her !? Suppose Franc
should practically seize a vessel untoFtu