The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-06-30
CONGRESS.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,,
: MONDAY, Nav 80.

HOUSE or REPRESEWTA7IY
MONDAY, May 80.
EBATE
On Mr.. Rdmdolhh's nation for nftroying
fhe late conduct Of the President of the
U. Ssares-Confinued.
Mr.. johnson said, that at his extra SEES
sion he had fondy hoped he shosld have it
in his power to be silent member; but he
regretted, that duty compelled him to ad-
dress the Speaker at this LATE hour of the
day, when all must be fatigued, and upon a
subject that had involved discussion unplea-
SAINT, Improbable and even mischievous
The Executive, in his commune alton to us,
(said MIR. ] has avoided detail upon the
subject of the expected negotiation in the
late settlement of our differences, and we
| should avoid it as much as possible. But
this motion has been introduced for the iaud-
able purpose Of discovering the difference of
opinion in this place upon the late transac-
tons respecting our, foreign relations with
Great Britain, by the settlement of the affair
of the Chesapeake, and the renewal of COM
| nercial intercourse. The gentleman from
Virginia, believes there are men in this house
who disapprove the conduct of the President.
disbelicvc it, because have no evidence
of it. ihave heard in this body and out of
doors universal appreciation. The prospect
ofpeace has been hailed as a political iubi.
lee. No difference does exist upon the SUBJ
Iject. But, sir, there is diversity of senti-
ment OF expectation, how the promised ne
gociation with Great Britain will ultimate.
Some are more and others less saneuine.
And when we consult the volume of expert
ence, and recollect the many important sub
lJects OF settlement, it is not wonderful if we
should have our fears and our hopes OH the
subject in different degrees. Let us hope
tor good, but be prepared for evil, that a
reverse OF the present prospect may not
change excessive joy into deep mourning.
The mover of this resolution has attempt
ed to draw a line of distinction between the
late and the present administration, in res
pect to our foreign relations. The two adj
ministrations, SO far as MIR. Madison has
progressed, are the same in principle, and
the same in conduct, animated by the same
spirit OF moderation, hrmness and Justice
towards other nations. But the mover of
this motion says, the propositions under the
two administrations were different, and that
the late adjustment is more advantageous to
Grea liri,ain. The propositions made by
Mr.. Jefferson and MIR. Madison were the
same. In the first instance they were reject
eddy Mr.. Canning with snee-ing contempt
each case was this: Rescind your orders in
council, and we will suspend the laws inter-
dieting the commercial intercourse between
the two nations: Upon what principle did
MIR. Canning reject this Just offer! Because
Bonaparte had blockaded the continent, and
he was determined that the present and flu
ture generations should see, that Great Bri-
tain would never relinquish her orders in
council until the policy of Bonaparte should
be abandoned; that the honor and the pow
er OF the British government rested in
some good degree nponit. But now the same
propositions have been accepted, although
the continent is more completely blockaded
than when the same proposition had been
rejeclcd-for even.Spain and Portugal. upon
which British hopes rested are now closed
these who opposed the wise measures of our
government may say, to shield themselves,
that we have yielded. We have not yielded.
Great Britain has abandoned her unjust sys-
TEN or restriction upon our commerce; and
the [ :.itcd States stand redeemed from any
charge of inconsistency. 1t will he diff
cult task to convince the enlightened citizens
of the United States, that there has been q
difference in the conduct of the present and
the late i!lustrlous President. So far from
the shadow of proof, that such a difference
does exist, the very act of the present chief
| magistrate, grew out of the law of Congress
passed under Mr.. JefTerson's administration.
! This law gave certain powers and imposed
certain duties to be exercised and perform
Cd upon certain and defined contingencies.
Upon he'happcning of these contingencies
viz: the resembling the orders in council, &c.
Mr.. Madison promptly performed his duty,
by suspendirg our non intercourse system as
to Great Britain, for the renewal Of our
commerce. Who is so sagacious in the pow
ers Of discrimination as to draw a line of dis
tinction, when the conduct of the admins
trations are so united aud identified, that the
act of one grew out Of the law OF the other
But the measures of our government, which
have produced such happy results, are like
lily to be popular and it is necessary for
those who thought we took too high ground,
TO secure a retreat in their defeat, by endea-
voring to draw this nice distinction.
But it is said, that the late adjustment is
more advantageous to Great Britain than
the fotmer proposal by us, because our wa
tiers are lot interdicted to British armed
vessels, and because French armed vessels
are prohibited. Sir, the interdict which ex.
Guides British and French armed vessels, still
remains in full force and virtue 1t has moi
been taken off as to British armed vessels
The proclamation of the President has only
made the trade renewable on the 10th Of
June. He had no controul over the nterdict
nof did the British minister make tia sine
qua non, as did Mr.. Rose, in settling the af.
fair Of the Chesapeake. Here again we have
remained firm, and Great Britain has yield.
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