Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1809-04-10
T Whoie No. u

found it cannot be executed, the Dill
on your table is propofed as fubfti-
tute. Let me ask, can that be exc
cuted I have no he6tation in fay
ing it cannot and auiH net be executed.
For if the laws will pot admit the in
PRODUCTION of fuch articles Of foreign
growth and manufactures as are OF
indifpeu6ble neceihty, they will be
imuggled ipro the country, and the
payment Of duties avoided. Sir, Con-
grefs cannot controul tbs elements ;
and they might as well attempt that,
as to enforce fuch acts againlt the
general intereH and wiihes Of the
people. The operation of luch tat
utes will be to convert your merchants
into /nugglsrs, and your citizens in.
to Jbies, prowling about like BEATS OF
prey feeking whom they my de-
YOUR. Our country will be filled
with fixtures, our federal courts
crouded with fats for penalties and
forfeitures, and our ftate courts with
futs for damages. Many Of our cit
liens podefing integrity and honour
too fcrspulous to engage in fuch traf-
fic, might think of quitting their
country, and feeking protection un-
der fome foreign power having laws
of a milder afped.
Let me entreat this Senate to paule
for a moment, and reflect whether
they can have any aflu,ance that
there will, much longer, be patient
LabmiDion to fuch meafures. Whether
the burthen is not already inIapt0rfa-
bic. And whether the fufferings of
the people have not become intsiera-
bic. Some gentlemen have declared
their disbelief of the accounts of the
fuferings of the people. They do
not believe that fuch fuferings exit.
becaufe the fufferers. have not pro-
claimed them on the houfe-top. It
is not men of wealth, who under any
circumstances, and in any times, can
procure an abundance of the neceha-
ries of life - or men in the receipt Of
ample falaries, which fuffrr no dimi-
mutton from the embargo-or men
who receive per diem allowance.
not depending on commerce OF agri-
culture for its continuance about
whom feel an anxiety. Such men
though by the embargo they may be
deprived Of the opportunity Of ad-
ding to the thoufands already laid up
in fore, will not fuffer want 1t is
the labourirg people in the northern
and eaitern itates, who depend on
their daily occupations for the fup.
port Of themfelves and their hume
rous families, Whole fuffsrings re-
gard On this clafs of citizens We
depend to do the labour of our coun-
try. Many Of them. though in the
humble walks Of life, are refpecta-
Bile, they are fresmen they add
greatly to our ftrength and fecurisy
in the hour of danger; for they arc
numerous and hardy, and bear arms;
and what is mcit to their honour.
are always prepared, when their
country calls, to so forth in her de.
fence. 1'hefe are men who Cannot
be turned of with peck Of corn a
weeks men about whole fuifcrings
we cannot feel Indifferent. To find
out the futferings of this clafs Of our
citizens, you NUT not 60 to dema-
gogues. political partizans, or Office
hunters, who always fay what they
think will pleafe thofe in power.
You mutt look behind the curtain
which fhields from public view do
meitic concerns and private fnfsr-
ipgs. There is nothing which peo-
pie more ftudiou1y conceal than "a,
fincbiag poverty which compels th' m
TO beg charity of others. l have
known families, who from Geknefs or
other misfoi :une have been deprived
of a regular fupply of the ncceIaries
of life from the labour and induitry
of him on whom they depend for
fupport, who have almoit periihed
with want, rather than go to the
poor houfe, or iubmit to be fup2ort-
ed by the town and for whofe re-
l;.( ~. r,,a fsc,ee md lei cate