The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-03-02

I was apprehensive that the section of the bill
which repeats the on-intercourse does away
all penalties incurred under the embargo
law.
Some further conversation took place on
the motion to postpone. Mr.. Key did not
construe the provision of the bill as MIR: Ba-
Con did,
Mr.. Macon hoped the law would not be
longer delayed than till to morrow. If the
bill was TO pass, 1t was proper to pass it as
early as possible, in order to place the no
nest and scrupulous merchant on a ground
OF equality with the dishonest man who feels
himself unrestrained by the laws of the coun-
try. Every day it was deiayeH would give
| an advantage over the moral to the immoral
part OF Society.
| Mr.. Bi66 could not see the propriety OF
postponing the bill even till to.mo~row.-
There was no question to be decided. on
which every member had not already made
up his mind. Although he preferred the bill
as 1T went to the Senate, he should vote for
the amendment if the question were now ia
ken.
Mr.. GARDENER differed fromMr. Bacon as
to his construction of the law. If the gen
tleman could convince him that by the bill
as it now stood, all penalties heretofore in
Cured would be done away, he should GER
tainly be against all postponement or aitera-
ton OF it. When an offence constituted by
law is done away, penalties should go with
1t. In such case penalties can only be en-
forced for the sake of vengeance Mr.. G. said
he should hope that the construction was
correct. He should like to see this Odd OF
February a jubilee, commemorated by a re-
lease from embargo, non intercourse, &c.
THAT nothing might be left to remind
this happy country of this whole hostile sys-
Item.
Mr.. Num- ford hoped that the House would
lcome to a decision this day, for great specu-
lations were going on to the manifest injury
ofthe honest citizens. They ought to know
what they were to depend OH. All parts of
the Union were looking to this House for pro.
tecsion-and he hoped it would be given to
them.
Mr.. Fan Horn was also against postpone
ment & wished the question taken this even
ling, to prevent the progress of speculatons
which were running the agricultural interest.
was 1T intended to give to spectators a few
days more to hunt up produce through the
lcountry! He asked in behalf of the agrcul-
tural people of this country, that the House
would 40 longer delay decision of this ques.
ton. He had no more doubt that the bill
would pass as it came from the Senate than
he had that he now eXisted-and why then
should it be delayed!
Mr.. Fisk said he viewed the bill in a We
ry different light from that in which. it APP.
lpeared to some. The consideration of spe.
lcuiators had no weight with him the argu-
ment that merchants were waiting to make
shipments had as little-for it was worthy
OF consideration that Congress had been le-
Igislating for the merchants since 1905, and
that every measure adopted for their bene-
ut had been proposed by them. 1t was wor-
thy of at least twenty four hours reflection
are not sent here by the merchants, said he.
We have the interest of the nation to consult :;
ana while the merchants and spectators are
looking to our measures, to see how they
may terminate bargain to the best advan-
tage,tor which reason only they seem to look
to you at all. the nation is looking at your mea :
SureS. And we owe it to the nation to
our constituents, to weigh we'll before we
act.
Mr.. Smile said he wished at least one e.
vening for reflection. He could not with the
gentleman from Maryland, say how other
members would vote on the question but it
concerned himself to know how he should
vote, and III what manner to do it, so that he
could account TO his constituents for his vote
Would gentlemen see no difficulty in chang
ing their votes, which they had often re-
corded on their journals, merely because a.
mother body thought differently 1t was
be allowed those who required it.
Mr.. Love was astonished at the desire Of
some gentlemen to precipitate. He said,
that this was the first time the question had
been presented to the House directly whe-
Their they would humbly submit Would
they bow down the knee of submission -
Gentlemen must recollect with what asto-
nlshment most members of this House had
heard OF the amendments adopted by the
Senate For his part, Mr.. l.. said, he could
not account for it in any other way but by
;, surprising that the President must have
laid before the Senate treaties securing our
commercial rights. And, after so unex-
pected Course, was the House to be for
ced into decision, without moments re-
Election
"A motion was made to adjourn and mega
tvedby Yeas and Nays--79 to ~.
The question on the motion to postpone
till Saturday was taIen and negatived.
Mr.. w. Hist0n, wishing time to reflect on
the question of construction raised by Mr..
Bacon, moved to adjourn. Negatived 90 to
Sd.
The question was stated on concurring
with the Senate.
Mr.. Macon said that the great ground on
9hich this bill had been advocated in this
Eiouse, was, thatit would keep us in peace.
Every thing going to that end had been
struck out IN the Senate, He said it was well
understood that there were two parties i'm
TINS nation, one for war with Britain, and one
Tor war with France. 1t beloved those who
wished to maintain the peace OF the nation