Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-03-29

Nv sollearue b mistakes, Mn I have
nos renrohatea eysry easurs Tor Ave years
pas,. r5had che honor OF proposing some
messures-shas charming The militis for
;ns,anee. which wss adopiedS with what:
$50 I cannot say. ] had the houot OF
oronosino Others whiekewere subsequently,
sdop,ed when taken afby other genaemsn.
MIGHT mentioa the contract bill, the ake.
va,ien of the rules aud articles Of war-I
mishs 60 further bus l am no. disposed
fnr,her 20 trouble the house>or exhaust my.
self.
Ma. SMILE said he was surprised that
the gentleman frou, Virginia had expected
an immediate desisioa of the notion. He
could not EXPECT that il should be immedi-
atelv decided. lie did not regret that it
had been Brought forward, aud he did hot
s.v What his opinion would be when shey
came 10 decide on IL; but to do 1t at pre-
sent. he said, would be certainly prenaa-'
tore: The observations made with respect
to the finances, the state of the army, and
All. that, he considered out of the question
at present. The subject of .hs state of the
armv besides was committed to commit
tee. All these subjects he saic he was will
ling TO meet at proper time, but ne was
not going to decide on. motion OF such
Importance as that before the house with
out du. consideration. -.
Mr.. Mason said that both the gentle.
men from Virginia seemed; to have given
him left handed touch. In reply to one
(Mr. Randolph) h. would observe that he
WOULD never allow that the embargo was
not q wise measure, and he was willing to
discuss it over and over again at any time:
The other gentleman MIR. Eppes) had
spoken of the army. Mr.. M. said ne did
vote for the increase Of the army and in
similar situation would do the same again.
He had believed that the attack ON the Che
sapeake was a, much war as the attack on
Conenhaaep. This had been his impress
sion and this he had stated at the time ne
had voted for 10 army. He had believed
at the time that G.. Britain meant to follow
UP her blows, and he was prepared to meet
her. But, since that, an embargo had
been laid aud then substituted by month";
tercourse. II the sin Of embargo was on
his hi ad, he said he should die with it. tie
was willing that this resolution should oe
committed. News might come from Eu'
rope which would max. !, necessary to raise
men. If so, said he, let US do 1t when 1t
comes let US do wha, is right under ex-
listing circumstances. As TO the army,
never had doubt Of the right OF this house
to erauire into the state of it. 1t belongs
10 the Ration and not to the executive.
Mr.. RANDOLPH wished tn state that ne
had given his FRIEND from North. Carolina
too many honest righ,-handed touches, ever
to give him a left handed one.
Mn. EppEs said he had no intention to
give the gentleman a wipe-tor 1t would
have been at the same time to cast retlec.
ton on himself. 1t will he recollected, said
he, that when voted for the army took
the ground that the embargo must at some
time be raised, and when it was that there
must he war-and declare that 1t had
foreseen that the establishment would be
kept up year after year, and that those who
raised the troops had not energy to use
them. I never have been for raising stand
ing troops in time Of peace, and fear not
that it will be believed that am in favor OF
either standing army or aavy in time of
peace. Our defence depends on the people,
bu, a, portion of troops were necessary for
garrison duty in which the militia cannot
be employed-& when the additional troops
were raised they were considered sufficient |
for that object, and it was so stated at the |
time. / voted for them for war and not
tor peace; and whenever it is decided by !
the re representatives of the nation that they |
will submit to the.desrees of Great Britain
and France, wheneverthey repeal the non
intercourse, which, whether feeble or strong,
is the only measure between US and sub
mission, 1 for one will go hand in hand
with those who will reduce the army and
navy, and give to the people all the adyan,
t,ccs which will result from what shall
deem surrender Of their rights. -.
tn. <,,,eet;o,, zuds then taken ON Mr.. Ran.