Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-02-08
CONG r E S S.
sHoIsE OF REPRESENTATI YES.
TUESDAY, January II.
DEBATE ON EXTRA SESSION.
TcoNTINuED.
80. Ebts's Speech conchxded.

TlUr. Ebbe's Speech concluded
From the grounds taken, as the gentle
man from Massachusetts, informs us In dc-
bate on the embargo, he infers that the adj
minisrration in recommending the embargo
as a precautionary measure, Practised Po-
litical deception. That it was intended by
the ad,ninistration-tst. as. a measure OF
coercion exclusively on G. Britaln-2dlyy,
TO keep it on at all hazards-sd, to do no
thing else. The gentleman tells US tins
measure was represented to the British go
vernment as precautionary ascasure only
that if it had been presented as a mes-
sure of coercion negociaton would have
been at an end. How does it happen that
negotiation has totally failed notwithstand-
mo the measure was presented to the view
of the British government as preeaution-
ayv measure oniy-did the British ministry
possess information in which they had more
confidence tending to prove that this repre-
sentation OF the measure was only Poltlch
deception ?s-.As to the Cd and Sd points that
he administration was to adhere to the en-
barco at all hazards, and to do nothing else,
Il is a mere naked assertion totally unsup-
ported by the course which has been adopt
ed. For what purpose did we during the
last session raise troops Why have we
doubled our sramen and marinese Why
have we. made large appropriations for Tor
tihcations? For what purpose are we aoo ut
( to raise more troopss The gentleman says
to enforce the embargo at the point OF the
bavonet-all this preparation is designed
only for enforcing the enlbargo-really
have too much respect for the understand
ing of the gentleman to believe this is serl-
ouslv his opinion. The gentleman hasto.d
us that those who talk most about fighting
are least disposed for war. What are we
to think of those who in the present situa-
ton of their country can find no theme on
which to exercise their eloquence but the
embargo. | cannot believe such men very
jealous to maintain the rights oftheir coun-
try. Why does not the gentleman come
forward and give us an exposition OF the
DEGREES and orders--lct him do this and
give his people an opportunity OF deciding
whether the DEGREES and orders or political
deception and the embargo produced our
present distress and difficulties. What is
the practical operation of these DEGREES and
orders-a planter in Virginia wishes to send
tobacco to the continent of Europe, what
must Ne do? Send it first to British port
!. --pay a tax and obtain permission from
his majesty to ship his own produce. Sup
pose an inhabitant of the state of Massa-
chusetts wishes to send fish TO Spain or to
any other part of the continent OF Europe
why he must first go to a British port, ask
permission of his majesty and pay for the
permission. VIII any gentleman venture
to DENY that this is the practical operation
of the orders in council. Will the gentle
man from Massachusetts tell the people OF
this country they cannot--must not fight
for this? That they have no resources -
The gentleman from Massachusetts could
not maintain this ground before the people
in any portion of this country. The rank
est tory in our country would blush to take
such ground. He would be secuted by
honest men.
Mr.. E. concluded with saying that the
general scope of the argument of the gen
tleman went to shew that the embargo was
to be permanent measure. Conscious that
such view was entirely erroneous, calcu-
lated to deceive and mislead the people, he
had obeyed the impulse of his feelings and
conGned his observations to the speech of
the gentleman instead of discussing the bill
before the house.
Debate to be continued.