The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-20
<oncerning commercial intercourse with c..
Britain and France; and for other purpo-
xes
And the House adjourned till Monday
next
Mr.. EppEs's SPEECH
On 0Gr. GIzEs's resolution from the
Senate.


he would avail himself of the opportunity to
present to the House and to the public his
view of transaction which so deeply affec-
ted the honor, the interest and independent
of the nation. If. said he. there is any ques
ton on which the two great paroles of our
country ought to unite on ground truly Ame-
rican. it is the one which we are now cal
led upon to decide. In maintaining the re-
spect due to the Executive branch of our
own government, in discountenaDcing rude.
ness or incidence on the part of foreign a.
gent. men Of all political parties have
common interest. Whatever difference of
opinion may exist either as to general or To-
cal policy, We surely cannot, on question
involving the support of a foreign agent "a
gainst the Executive government of our own
country, arrange ourselves under the ban
ners of party. Hitherto in all questions be-
tween the administration of this country aud
that OF Great Britain, gentlemen have told
us, you need not expect justice unit, you
repeal laws considered in Great Britain as
manifestirg hostility or the part of the u.
States. The partial non importation act
was said to be a measure of hostility this is
done away. The proclamation issued after
the most fragrant violation of our territory
and rights was considered hostile mea-
sure ; this is done away. The embargo was
considered as hostile measure this - doae
away also. Great Britain and France must
be placed on an equal footing; this has also
been done. The former administration a.
gainst which gentlemen had been habituated
to indulge feelings of distrust and suspicion,
has gone out. The first act of tn: new adj
ministration, but for the bad faith of the
British ministry, would have consigned to
oblivion every measure which the opponents
of the former administration have here.o-
fore considered bar to the adjustment of
our differences with Great Britain. Will,
gentlemen now tell us why Great Britain
will not do us justice' VIII they tell the
people the grounds on which the disavowal
OF the late arrangement with Mr.. Erskine
is made and justify the British ministry
They dare not. VIII they sacrifice on the
altar OF public good party feelings, and pre-
sent to foreign nations that united front
which alone gives force to free govern
ments The vigor of free government de
ponds on union To the patriotic and volun-
tary exertions of our citizens we must look
for that energy which tyrant forces from
reluctant slaves What prospect of redress
for our injuries can we have if on an occa-
sion like the present. marked by such strong
features of injustice on the part of the Bri-
tish government, and of atrocious insolence
on the part OF its minister, the repre- enta-
tives Of the people shall present 10 the world
S~N'l SpCSbdSiC Ot 0isCOTu, oil
vision and disunion. II seems, sir, that the
fair castle Of union and confidence, which
men of all parties united in rearing at the
last session, has vanished. 1t seems that the
present administration is not to be Judged by
its own acts, but is destined to receive as a
sort of inheritance all those bitter and acri.
monious feelings which years of party con
fict, had ripcned into inveterate hostility C..
gainst the former: Gentlemen have lust
discovered that the promptitude and frank
ness with which the Executive of the Uni
ted States metthe overtures ofMr Erskine,
is all an error. A gentleman from Connect
cut (Mr. Dana) who at the last session of
Congress told US, that on this occasion the
President of the United States had acted
like man of business; that no diplomatic
difficulties had been thrown in the way tina,
the tender was met fairly, openly and hon
orably has employed himself during the re-
cess, in reading Grotius, Puaendorf, Vattel.
Wicquetort, Martens, and other writers on
national law, and now tells us gravely this
thing all an error. In May last thought
with the gentleman from Connecticut. Isee
nothing i'll the correspondence laid before us
which can justify charge of opinion j
cannot, like the Satyr in the fable, blow
hot--blow cold with the same breath.
cannot call black, what at that time tho'r
white. Icannot assent to attach myself to
the pendulum of MIR. Canning, whether its
vibrations tend to promote the interest or
ruin of my country. Sir, do gentlemen for
get that the conduct of the Executive on this
occasion was approved by men of all par
ties In this country? Do they forget
that it was eulogsed and approved by
themselves! Do they expect to explain
to the people this sudden vibration
by references to Puffendorf and Grotius p
VIII they tell the people the real grounds
on which the disayowal of the late arrange
ment with Mr.. Erskine is made, and array
themselves IN opposition to the adminis,ra-
tion Tor having entered into it They dare
not. Will they say to the people, that as to
the affair of the Chesapeake, the British 20
vernment will not make us reparation. be-
cause the repeal of the President, procla-
nation iS not recorded in the instrumen nj /,
The people will tell them the proclamation
is repealed. VIII the gentlemen then tell the
people, that although Captain Bradley yio-
lated your territory; that although Pearcz
was murdered within sight of the harbor of
New York although the attack on the Che
sspease took place before the proclamation
issued, still II IS made an affair OF honor bv
the British government 1t is not enough
that 1t IS repealed, you must acknowledge
you were wrong IN having issued it. Will
gentlemen, IN addition to this tell the PEG
pie, that before PREPARATION for the Chesa.
Peake is made, we must dislrapchise orr
naturaiiZed Citizens, and acknowledge the
right OF ms Britannia mnje1lyto claim them ,
WIN they tell the people that before the
orders ~ council are Withdrawn. we mug,
give security for the Continuance of orr mon.
intercourse system against France IT,.