Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-02-13

views OF the QueStiOn OF peace OF war
Be was induced to do this, because HIS
views upon that question had been misun-
derstocd, OF at least misrepresented to the
public, md pretended to be derived from
ccnve rsations ard ether sources of infor-
nation easily TO be misconceived, and more
easy to be misrepresented; and for which
be did not feel himself at all responsible.
he had always beenin the habit of frankly
exposing bis views without reserve in his
place en- that hoor upon all subjects, when
required by the duties of his station--he
should now do so, and for their correct
ness in that place he acknowledged himself
to he responsible to the public.
He said, with respect to peace or war,
it should be observed that in dispute be-
tween nations, war was at the option OF
either iparty==peace was not peace re-
quiied the consent of both. Whist, there
fore, war may be in our power, peace may
be beyond our fcontroul. Great Britain
may make war upon us-zand il is our most
impsrious duty to &c prepared to meet it.
He sad, as TO the probability of that event
he had no certain date to guide his judge
meRt, but if it be even uncertain preparaa
!. ticrs ought to be made to meet II with eff
ject and advantage. He was, therefore,
in favor of every preparation both by land
and by sea 10 meet war, but he 'ccnsider
ed the question OF making preparations 10
meet war, very d. ferent thing, from a..
question to declare, or to make war--soi
much so, thatresorting to the one has al 4
ways been considered as the hes, expedi-
ent TO avoid the other acknowledgements
therefore, be was against declaring Grim K.
Ing war under the pressnt circumstance.
at this time, he was in favor of prepsrau-
ons 10 meet it, which might hereafter rem
der resort to ii unnecessary. But he
wCu.d al thessame time, say explicitly,
that II Great Britain should continue her
course OF hostiliues against us he would al
"a nvenent and proper time, be decided
'ly in iavor OF war, rather than submit TO
heriawless pretens:ons * aggressions. He
believed, that rather than submit, the II.
States ought, must and will 60 to war. for
tte preservation aud maintenance of their
rights, &c. He drew this conclusion with
confidence and cer,a nty, from the charac-
Ter of the dispute between the two ceun-
tries. What is the real character OF that
dispute, particularly as IT respects com.
mercial rights Independently of aggres.
sions yitally sfie citing the character and
Interests OF the United States. cont nued
= without atonemeIt or relaxation and
which are too we'll knownto require repe-
tilion here, the real character OF the dis.
pute r. sp citing commesc.a al rights when
stripped OF all Its disguises and embelIisn-
Pntnis consists IN ,his-whether the II >.
or & :. Brta,py shall regulate the commerce
the Udted States shall regulate their Own
oil the CniteG States Or rather, whether
CONNIE &c consistently with che law OF M.
tions Or shall G Britain regulate il, in
contravent.on OF the law OF nations The
right to regulate commerce is perhaps the
frnt, MT rsctf faA
under the constitution - and that Con- ress
might possess that power was certainly the
primary incucement TO the formation Of
the constitution.
4. known that inefficiency of the commercial
regulations Of the several states & the extremely
inccnyenien inhuenceof the conflicting systems Of
The difeIsn states upon each otLer, frSr sugges.
red the NECESSITY of genessl government, for
the pnrrose # Teguh ing commerce by one UNI.
form ard efficient sys'em of course the power
to iegu'a,ecomme.ce may be considered as he
foun1a ion OF the constitution Itself The peo-
pie OF the u. States have delega.ed Congress
charged with The sacred trust of projecting ana
exercising THE gssat con utional power. How
then can thai 'Consress abandon it to the exer.
else ola f'reigu power, without sn almost trea.
sonsble in6delity TO the people, by WIN m they
ave deegaltdf Gsea. Britain not only claims,
but ae,ua ~ exercises the power Of regulating. 8.
res raining and prohibiting your commerce AT
pleasure; and So Ear has sht ca risd the exeroise
OF this power, as TO subs itnte her own iiiicis
cemm,tee in the place fyour lawful blu pro,
bibitd commerce! Yes, in ulier contempt of
your rights and authority, and in utter disregard
,of her own character she is now in he daily
hsb:i Of graKting Iicencesto her own subjec s, 10
CON NIT treason againct the conn On law Of the
land by authorsing them 10 carry on IN illicit
eorimercp with her enemy, in substitution of
You lawful commerce. He believed il irnpnssi
be for theU States to submit org TO Iris unex
arpcd stae OF things and therefore thai they
ought ricfi aed will ere long go TO war 20 assert
and maint in tl.eis vio ated ,igbts, their Injured
in,ereiis. sc &c * no other eSpedsnt will an
swef tie object.
Mr. G. said ha, this view Of the subject was
Addressed wiihirecuiar fierce 70 the commercial,
pats of the United Staies--and his STAGE of
things II prrcvsr in by G. Blitain, mist and
~ swsken item in spite all their pgeiud ces
toa,en oflhsirown danger Iapd'in efes 5 aud
whenever that shall be he case they must and
wiiiunite IN measures OF projection and ,edress
NJ; e. saiai' wat a toniShng II him how ger,
t'enen rcIreseniins the commercial paris Of the
y cold ever Cor a moment suppose, tha,hin1,e,c
o, the people in ihc scene Of country f,om which
lie cane ooud de i've 30 enieY into an UNNECESSARY
wa wi'h G y. nat pa { oithc ountry, above ali
esAfrs, found an interest in an intercourse with
C.,B particularly at toe present moment; the
ARTICLES II furnished were ~ this time par,iru-
larry suited 70 the British market. Thev
were principally tobacco four wheat. me