The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-04-17

| In this state of eur freign relations Con-
grcss met; the member, brought with them
the feelings of the peollc, who were all a.
live to the late indgnitl offered TO their 60
vernment. all expected hat measures of en-
ergy would be pursued This house felt &
acted. Resolutions passed almost unanimous
| ly, expressive OF their s.nse of the insult Of
fered by the British minister.
The Senate passed :; bill ordering the
| whole of the vessels of var to be put in com
mission (Which bill slee,s still in The other
House,) and were progressing in preparati-
ons tor th~ defe zee of tie honor and safety
OF the nalion, when the ill now under con
sidcration was reported by the CONN it;ee
| OF foreign relations, It.operated Instantly
like an electric shock, it oaralized every eff
fort, and gentlemen wee astonished when
they were told, that this bill was the great
measure that was to preserve our honor in the
eyes of all the world tlht it was the grand
panacea, that was to- heal the wounds that
had been inflicted On our rights by the bel
iigerents. In fact, it was the only measure
on which we were torely for redress of
all our grievances
Mr. President-I read this grand effort
with attention: Invain did lock for some
thing therein, that wouldtend to obtain sa-
tisfactlon for the insult on the Chasa peake
in vain for any thing that would tend
to prevent the future imbressment of our
seamen-in vain for any thing that would
induce or coercc the beiliserents to repeal
their unjust orders and detrees against our
lawful commerce. One great feature, and
one only was to be discovered, to wit: the re :
peal ok the non -intercour$e law; covered
oy thin veil; composed ts the gentleman
from Kentucky (Mr: Clf) has said. Of
shreds and patches. Not 81, Mr. President,
III IT had heen match II oil che
not have disturbed its Arrangement. But
found in it, or believed ibid, that which
would be ruinous to the commerce of the u.
). and therefore felt myself pound by the du-
~ owe to my constituents to remove the
veil, and leave the measure open to public
view the Senate lconcurreS with me, in
opinion, to wit: to strike o9 the injurious
sections, to which opinion shall vote to ad-
here
will, Mr.. President, ast the Senate s
indulgence to shew my vicIy of the sect
ons that have been stricken out of the bill
The important ones are thetd, 4th and 5th
the others are only calculated to carry those
into execution. The Sd and 9TH contain the
principles that appear to beintended to have
ltwo-fold operation tie one to coerce
the belligercnts to do justice, the other to
secure to our own ships, tie carriage of all
the produce of the Unittd States. The
third section excludes from our ports all the
British and French merchant ships, and de
Iciares, that any ship sailing under the
nag OF either, which shall hereafter arrive
IN any OF our harbors, shat with their car
goes be seized and condo uhed."
| Is there no danger, Mr.. President, TO be APP
pretended from the emperor,i if the bill should
pass with the provision His character for
decision is wellknown----night we not fear
'hat ne would retort our ,wn measures up
on us. by Causing all the property of our mer-
chants now under sequest'ation (amountine
TO at least million of dollars) to be con-
demned, and by seizing all American YES.
sells and property in his ports, or that NIGH
arrive therein /! Iconfcss, sir, should fee
no surprise if he did. 1t appears to me
from his well known conduct that he would
scarcely hesitate to adopt such measure
and what right would you have to complain
and for what object would such risoue BIZ
run! The section only prohibits the entr,
| OF French merchant ships into our ports
prohibits what! Thar Which has no seis.
fence for there is scarcely French mer-
chant ship that now floats the ocean. TIL,
section permits our own ships to carry u
France, it throws open our trade to Fance
In the only way that it can be carried on,
10 Wit: IN orr ozVn vesscks, and thus in
SUBJECT to any consequences which tn,
Emperor Tin resenting the provision of tina
seetlon) might choose to decree. IL in n,
way slficfs a punishment on France for he,
aggression on our honor and interest.
But what will England do, should this Law
pass! Will the king and council retaliat.
our measure confess, Mr.. President
that think they wil---What right shall
we have to complain, if seizure is order
ed in the ports of Great Britain, of ever,
| American vessel found thereinl hay,
been told, that the nagnanimity of Grea
| Britain is full security against such con
duct, and that the words of this bill woul,
| not justify her l admit it, but must b.
excused for not putting implicit reliance il
her justice or her magnanimity. / fear
that she would not tie herself down to tn
letter of our law, in the retaliation ali,
would isflict but admitting that she did,
this bill permits an open trade to her mort
in our ships--an immense number of our YES
sells are ready to proceed to her ports TIL
moment this bill shall pass into a law and
sir, the law will get to England as soon a
our ships, with their valuable cargoe,.
day is sufficient for the king and COUNSEL I
act-----an order may, and / do not doubt
would issue, perhapsin the very words of tn
bill, g directing the seizure and condemna
ton Of every American vessel and their car
goes, that shall arrive in her ports" Wha
would be the consequence---Ruin to you
merchants, and destruction to the party
which now govern for this country. Blu,
Mr.. President, let us suppose, that the kin
should not order the condemnation of on
shiDs. vet he world have it IN hi. ,,o,,e. /,