Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-06-19
CONTINUED

Mr.. JOHNSON said, that at this ex-
ira session he had fondly hoped he should
have it his power to be silent member !;
but he regretted that duty compelled him
to addressed the speaker at this late hour
of the dav, when all must be fatigued, and
upon subject that had involved a discus
sion unpleasant, improbable and even mis-
chievous. The executive in his commune
cation to us (said Mr.. ]. 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
laudable purpose of discovering the differ
ence of opinion in this place upon the late
transactions respecting our foreign relations
with Great Britain, by the settlement OF the
affair of the Chesapeake, and the renewal
Of commercial intercourse. The gentleman
from Virginia believes there are men iii this
house who disapprove the conduct of the
president. | disbelieye it, because have
no evidence of it. l have heard in this
body and out of doors universal approba-
ton. The prospect of peace has been hail
ed as political jubilee. No difference does
exist upon the subject. But, sir, there is
diversity of sentiment or expectation how
the promised negotiation with Great Britain
will ultimate. Some are more, and others
less sanguine. And when we consult the
volume Of experience, and recollect the ma
ny important subjects of settlement, it is
not wonderful If We should have our fears
and our hopes on the subject in different
degrees. Let us hope for good, but be pre-
pared for evil, that reverse of the prospect
may not change excessive Joy into deep
mourning.
The mover Of this resolution has attempt
ed to draw line of distinction between the
late and the present administration, in re-
spect to our foreign relations. The two adj
ministrations, so'tar as Mr.. 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
G. Britain. The propositions made by Mr..
Jefferson and Mr.. Madison were the same.
In the first instance they were rejected by
Mr.. Canning with a sneering contempt,
unworthy a great man. The proposition
in each case was this: Rescind your orders
in council, and we will suspend the laws
interdicting the commercial intercourse be-
tween the two nations. Upon what princi-
pie did Mr.. Canning reject this offer? Be.
cause Bonaparte had biockaded the CONT
nent, and he was determined that the pre-
sent and future generations should see that
Great Britain would never relinquish her
orders in council until the policy of Bona
parte should be abandoned that the honor
and the power of the British government
rested in some good degree upon,is. But
now the same propositions have been &C
cepted, although the continent is more
completely blockaded than when the same
proposition had been rejected--for even
Spain and Portugal, upon which British
hopes rested, are now closed. Those who
opposed the wise measures OF our 60
vernment may say, to shield themselves,
that we have yielded. We have not yield
ed. Great Britain has abandoned her un-
just system of restriction upon our COM
merce and the United States stand re-
deemed from any charge of inconsistency.
1t will be difficult task to convince the en-
ightened citizens Of the United States that
there has been difference in the conduct
of the present and the late illustious Pre-
sident. So far from the shadow of proof
that such difference does exist, the very
act of the present chief magistrate grew out
OF the law OF Congress passed Under Mr..
Jeferson's administration. This law gave
certain powers and imposed certain duties
to be exercised and performed upon certain
and defined contingencies. Uppn the hap