Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-04-06
NoN-INTERcoURsE.

Immediately after the decision of
this question:
MIR Randolph, rose. He said that
seldom had a question excited so
much sensation which was of intrinsi.
cally less importance than thar just
row decided----and perhaps it might be
deemed that the proposition which he
was now about 30 offer was not Of it..
self deserving OF higher consideration.
He said hs would state his ideas as
succinrly as possible, because, his pre-
sent object was dispatch. We have
(said he) an act subsisting which for
brevity's sake will call the non-in~
terconrse law. This act has been re.
probated and reviled by every man of
every political description in the House
and out of it, from one end of the con-
hnent TO the other and yet, sir, strange
as it>nay appear, Congress has been
IN session near five months, and this
law 10 relation 70 which every one
seems I'd concur (indeed vie with each
sther) IN its reprobation, stili remains
Spon our statute books. To answer
what end, beseech you, sirf 1t is a
sort of seare-crow set up to frighten
the great belligerents of Europe---or
Is II . toy, srattle, bare plAy-thing
TO amuse che great children in cur po-
liucal world! On whatsoever mea-
sures the na.ion may ultimately re-
solve, he ii peace, be it war, bs it (if
there be such a thing) an intermediate
state between these two, there is no
difference Of opirion as TO the delsIeri-
Gus operation of this unfortunate law l
ought perhaps to call it fortunate for,
although it was introduced into the
house without single friend, allno' NO
man as found 10 lift up his voice in is
defence, IL actually passed by major
lly Of two to one, and Is found nearly
70 difficult to rePs al ss the old sedition
law Of the former majority, even after
all rs abettors have become convinced
Otis mischievous tendency. [ hope,
s,r, & at we shall profit of former sxpe-
rience. s net pertinaciousIy adhere TO
measure which is daily diminishing
the resources OF the nation, and very
justly impairisg the public confidence
IN the wis ON md pagrioeisn ofthe
Legislature bus | beg pardon--I am
entering inro Discussion, when nay
sole object is to submit naked pro-
position to the House, and irpossi lie
10 get the most speedy decision On it.
DO not mean 10 roiter2te; becau,e
they must present themselves to every
man Of common observation aud
common sense; the arguments BY
which the propriety Of speedy de.
cision 81 this question is enforoed. ~
any member Of the II use will figure
70 bimseif the fair and bona fide a
meriean merchant, whose ship has
been lying a. the wharf the greater
part OF the winter lad with cargo
Prrishahie IN its nature, say aax.seed,
which II not exported now becomes ut
terly woTthle =, he will conceive the
situatisn olthose whom wish to
relieve. How our res arces ar 40 be
actso on by our produce ysrishlng hete
cannot conceiv gneau the tro.
dcce oi the tar and bona hdc trader 81
for the other description Of men We
know all send their produce when aud
where they please. W. have h@d of
icla Information near FIVE months a.
go that the law is wholly imperative,
except a. to the men Of high charac-
ger tor pro5ity and honor, who cannot
gain iaeir own consent 70 violate tho
lazy. therefore move
g That the act intsrdicting COM
merciaI intercourse, &c. SEc.--ought to
be Immediately repealed"
The House agreed to consider the
resolution. Yeas 50, Nays So.
Mr. Montgomery said Nc had lust
now voted for adherence 20 the disa-
greement ofthe House to the Senate's
amendments, because he did conceive