The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-02-01

ohaye relation to that opinion. Be that.
however. as it may. the committee on TO
reign relations hath reported this bill, con-
aataining restrictions which that committee,
vat this time, judged fit. agreeably to existing.
circumstances, to be adopted The provi-
sions and restrictions proposed in the bill
correspond, in 4 certain degree, with those
Which state of war will produce. If the
Bill shall become law, the provisions there
of will not be interchangeable; they will be
subject to future alterations, which the
Congress of the United States may Judge
necessary to meet existing circumstances.
II hath been said of a celebrated politician,
that he always adapted his policy to existing
circumstances.
Although this bill may be said TO origi-
nate from the embargo and on-intercourse
laws, it may, Notwithstanding that, be con-
sidered as the beginning of new system !;
if there is reason to believe. that the Unit
ed States shall be engaged in war, this bill
contains provisions which may be consider
ed preparatory to that state of things.
Mr.. Rhea observed, he would not con-
template what Great Britain would thiuk or
do, IT this bill became a law; that power
when about to issue orders in council did
not consult the United States, respecting
the propriety of them as they may have
relation to the United States that power
has for years past legislated for its own in.
terest. without respect to the welfare of the
United States and it is a duty of tho Unit
ed States to legislate for their own inter-
est.
1t is probable, that provisions, other, and
expressive of more energy, than the pro-
visions contained in this bill, would have
been more consistent with the opinions of
many but it ought to be observed, that the
executive is a part of the government Of
the United States, and that, by the Consti-
tuition, he is vested with certain powers
The executive government had, prior to the
meeting of Congress, taken a lead in the
affairs of the United States with Great Bri-
tain. In the letter of the Secretary of
State of the Sth of November, 1909, to Mr..
Jackson, he, after being notified that no
further communication would be received
from him-is informed, that, Gin the mean
time, a ready attention will be given to
any communications, affecting the interest
OF the two nations, through any other chan
mel that may be substituted & the Sec'ry of
State in his letter of the Esd of Nov. 1909,
to MIR. Pinkney, states. you are particu-
larly instructed, at the same time i'm making
those communications, to do it in a manner
that will leave no doubt of the undimnished
desire of the United States to unite in all
the means the best calculated to establish
the relations of the two countries on the So
lid foundation of justice, of friendship, and
OF mutual interest"-and the President of the
United States in his message of the 2eth of
November. 1909. to both Houses of Congress,
uses the following language" The British
government will learn at the same time,
that ready attention will be given to COM
munications through any channel which NAV
be substituted (: 1t will be happy if the
change in this respect should be accompa-
MED by favorable revision of the unfriendly
policy which has been SO long pursued to-
wards the United States" Such is the view
taken by the executive government of this
interesting subject. If Great Britain will
not favorably revise the unfriendly policy
which has been so long pursued towards the
United States, this bill having become a
law, the provisions thereof will be prepare.
tory for the approaching event.
The constitution of the United States
gives to Congress the power to declare war
and to the Executive department of the gov
eminent of the United States, the power to
make treaties, and of course to use every
endeavor which he may deem just and pro-
per to preserve peace. Between these two
departments of the government of the U.
States. it is requisite, that on the question
ofpeace or war there be unanimity of sehtI.
ment and of action.
(Debate to be continued. }