The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-04-07
SPEEc en-
(CoxcbyDEp.}

a -
hsns on The Stu Of tae saa'e month
(CoNoLyDEr.)
Reseiced, That the several laws LAYING an EN-
barge Oh all ships and vessels in the ports and
haitors of the United States, be repealed on the
4th OF March next, except as to Great Britain and
France, and tlisir dependencies, and that provisi-
onbe made By law for prohibiting all commerce.
al intercourse with these nations and their de-
Tendencies, and the importation ofany articlein-
TO the United States, the growth, produce or ma.
nufacturc ofetlier Of the said nations, or of the
dcminions of either Of them ~
Let me HOW, sir, Solicit your attention 10 one
fsorc consideration in relation to this subject IF
be once :diiiitted that the hostile easures of
Great Britain against the commerce of the Uni.
ted States, are dctatedb by the settled determine
ttoh VI the ministry to exercise exclusive domini-
on upon the ocean, you win find in that principle
alone, the solution of all our difficulties in our ne
isociations with Great Britain, without resor,ing
70 the delusre and extra,agant suspicious of an
insncerity on the part of the administrations
That this is the real principle which has dictated
her measures, think I have demonstrated be-
yond the possibility of doubt; and nothing but
adverse events in Europe, or war by the United
States, san in myiudgment induce her To recetc
from principle at once SO fas0inatng,to national
Pride, and gratifying to mercantile cupidity
No, Sir, am perfectly satisfied, if the admi-
histratlon were to send a deputation of chosen
band OF British partizans, even headed by Mr..
Erskine himself. that the British ministry would
not sacrifice this favorite visionary project of ag.
HrandiEcnient upon the altar of the;r corib;fis,,
supplcations and intercessions. This is not a
question of mere complaisance between the two
nations. 1t is question of pc er, of lawless, UNI
relenting power on one side against right, un.
questionable unassuming right on the other
Mr.: PRESIDENT dnpe it mt mi {I.n,o
view OF all the facts and observations have no "
bad the honor Of presenting to this Senate, that
torbearance has extended to its utmost limit
that without some relaxation on the part of the
bcltigerents, war is inevitable and that we have,
no expetfcnt left but to demonstrate by our own.
energies, both to Great Britain and France, how
much. more interest they have in cultivating our
friendship than in provoking our enmity . MIR
PRESIDENT from these observations, it will be also
readily seen that the proposition before us is
pitched to q key several tones below that which
my wishes and my views of the public interests
would strike.
hope, sir, tits Still within tine limits oforrnati
on1t honor& national Interests. Strike only one
key iower,sir, & fear it will sound in national dis
grace and dishonoS. How desirable therefore is,
n, sir, that should all, of all parties, unite in
some proposition TO save the honor and protect
the interests of the nation And may not this
yct'be hoped for when feCleralists as we'll rs re.
gainst submission :! After having displayed an
almost nlaDiinity ~ favor of resistance, may we
not hope for an equal lnanimity in favor of The
extent and mode of resistance May we not in
dulge the hope, that gentlemen who differ with
lis upon political subjects generally, will now
meet US upon this proposition OF Cancellation and
concession Particularly, sir, when they must
know and see the dangers OF division !! When
etlIer nations have lately presented so many in
structions and horrible examples of divisions
that at all times, one party is much the victim
cf them as anothers that the ruin. to both is e.
quail and indiscriminate, and the advantages alone
to the common adversary of both. And, sir, can
iti,o -soceosar5' to- urge arguments, to those
who have usually associatedin political measures
and opinions, against the ruinous effects OF t!iyi-
sions amongst themselves ? Surely not, sir. The
rainous effects must be obvious1t to every gentle
NAH Is it not better then, sir is it not more
honorable, wise, and maglanimous, for each gen
tieInan to concede something of;;the particular
views which he has taken of our difficulties, to
the varying views of his friend & associate than
by pertinscicusly adhering to the fun extent of
his own, paraiize and destroy the views of both
The spirit C. Cancellation and concession, is pecu
iiarly recommended by the novelty and di :HcuItv
of our situation and surely, sir, no gentleman
has yielded to it's influence more readily, or to
greater extent than myself. / could not give
stroagerexample ofits operating influence on my
SELF than the proposition now under consideration
affartts /; and wouli require no greater conces
sion onthe part of any other gentleman. Let us
then, sir, unite in this proposition. ] believe it
will save che honor of the nation it will settle
for us, the questioa ofpeace or war, by the meet.
ING Of the next congress it viii be a continual
protest against the hostile edicts of the accrcss
ing belligeren.s; and it will give us time for cf
fectuai aud active preparations for defence and of
offence. Let us then, for the present, assume
this attitude, and direct a!lour attention to those
indispensable objects Let us meet here in MY
next, in a state of readiness for war and if IN
the interval, no relaxation of the hostile orders &
edicts ofthe. beiiigerents should take place, let
us then call into action the whole resources and
energies oftc nation, to assert our rights and to
do ourselves that justice which is now so ruinous
j. and iniquitously withheld. ,.l
ry ,gtsts-i NOTES
(a) Exfracf }Jo'S a eonvsntioa dctreen his Byi-
fannie n,ajeStrdnd the empress Of Russia, sim
eaat Lonaon, 18th IF 21arcA, 1898
Article Ill. Their said maicsties recipro
cally -ehg,geto shutall tbei-ports against French
-. Al.