The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-04
mo. Is.

Wer occasion In this House, TO whom much
respect rs due, ana whose opinions will al
ways have great weight with Inc when form
ing my own; vet cannot but still hold il. .s
a correct principle, that in government like
oars, sprinsins from and supported by the
WIZ OF the people, they have d right, and
that u Is even their duty, on great occasions.
10 signify their appreciation CT disapnroba-
tion ot the conduct pursued, or the mes sures
adopted by those az power. For as OIL The
one hand IT may be the means of correcting
ii" erroneous procedure. SO on the other, II
policy.
| IL indeed praise is asked for as an aims. il
should always be denied : but wnen ii is well
earned ana really due, IL would not only be
| siiioerai, but unjust to withhold it, Whe-
ther The one OF the other be the case i'm the
present instance, we may hazard our own
opinions, but the great question will still re-
nam To ne decided before the great tribunal
oil the public. For whether we allow Of AN
appea, Go the people in this case or not. the
people Will sustain the appeal and viii final.
| ~ Judge and determine as they shall think
proper. IT,
ipresume the honorable Senate, who sent
US these resolutions, requesting our On
currence in them, did not, and presume
me advocates for the adoption Of them. in
'hia house, do not wish for expressions OF
not sincerely felt. Expressions Of approba.
ton may indeed sometimes be compelled
out real appreciation Cannot; it must be free
| ny gwen. IL Cannot be e5ltorted, but by the
I"iscoNery OF the wisdcm Oh propiiety OF the
Icanauct OF measure proposed to be APPROX
ed
Although my praise or tlispraise, apnro.
o"!ioh or u'sapprobation, either as a private
lci!Zen, or as an Individual member of This
| House. hsa 6
lance 10 those who stand in the first ranks
III conducting the great concerns of the ma
uoh vet could see what has been nv
anxious "lsh to see, and what o:hors ina
Stie they do see, that our Executive Govern
hleht mad pursued tho wisest and mot pru.
Gent Course relative 10 the subject embi.ac-
ga oy these resolutions, it would be hie.hK
Sr'IlJIhg To nay pride co be able to furnish
ie" materials fer a monument to tb,.;.
praise. In doing this, should feel as much
pleasure and satisfaction as did the poor C..
Byplia.i' when gathering together few splin
IterS OF broken boat as u funeral pile forthe
great Pompcy.
:, lT IS but natural. that should be preiu-
uicea Ia tavor OF ray own countrywide COIN
l,ry' that gave me birth, and in which
nave ever since lived, and eff the qovern-
acnt nave had some small share in form
ing and feel the force of the obligation
am nnaer' by all Just and proper means in
my power to promote the interests ana
happiness OF the enc, and to give aid and
support TO the other. Icannot. however
under these impressions. aud with these nh.
ijects Ia view, either feel The necessity. or
make siyselt willing to break through those
Isterhal and inimutable obligations | am mn
der TO "y God and my fe!iow-mc always
to maintain justice and truth. Ii is nv wish
| TO examine, with fairness and candor. eve
ny SUBJECT which it shall become my duty TO
cGh ider' and that my tongue may ALWAYS
be found the truo index of my heard
know 1t is a maxim in some governments
hatthe supreme power of the state do
10 wrong. believe, however, that this
maxim has not received the sanction of ex.
parence IN any government. it has some
times been questioned. even in that govern.
nent TO which these resolutions point. and
Fht resolutions themselves are made to de-
eide against it should hardly then have
expected, that in this early period of cur
IRE republic, such u maxim would be re-
celVea, and become current here AIaywe
not yet. sir, humbly and mUdestiy enquire,
sven Though such enquiry should lead to
doubt, whether our executive government
| (as this government is but creature of our
p"wer,) have done right or wrong in the
tate nasty step they have taken, especially
as we arc now called upon. and in pretty
strong terms too, to approve of ia III we
are yet treemen, and retain any of orr dis
crminatng faculties, shall we not exam me
TOR ourselves, before we venture to eXpr esq
our appreciation? If we do not, shall we not
be- IN danger Of exhibiting to the world, Abe
picture OF convivial, though tasteless CO, n
pany, over some sparkling adulteration. con
| lnending their champaign For rlyself, sir.
have examined, and though, with modes.
ty and Difference for the opinions Of others.
am compelled, as am honest man. To say,
that what Is proposed in these resolutions,
does not meet my appreciation. In giving my
reasons ] viii state some facts, but careful.
| iy avoid drawing conclusions leaving that
to be done by those to whom they may APP
! ply.
| The belligerents of Europe, anxious To
excel in doing each other harm, have both
done much harm to MS.
| The French, it is said, have committed
soVe freshGSSes on our commerciai RIGHTS,
and Notwithstanding al! oar gentle entreaties,
! show little dispO.ricn to Compensate Tor the
past, CO.. desist from future injuries. until, hay
Tug acquired as much power by sea, as they
have already by land, they shall have been a.
bic 10 send thciI u aljng colonies abroad and
then it we may JUDGE Of the probable fleets of
the one, from "har we have seen or heard
of the other, we may easily anticipate what
Kind of redress will be offered us. IT we do
not like the fate of Copenhagen, we may have
that of Switzerland OF Spain. Those harps,
IN which we are poV TiaViup we NAV no