Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-01-30
CONVOY AND AuMfNG

Hr SarWell rise 60 sa5mit Co the consid-
GRAFTON OF the House the propositions of
which be had given notice few days a :
go. He should not uow enter iato dis.
cussion OF them, but wished them to lie on
the table add be printed. He said ne
should, If he had an opportunity, make
motion to recommit the bill now before the
House respecting commercial intercourse,
Tor tue purpose OF ascertaiuing whether *
= was Che disposition Of the House To iacor-
Dporate these propos items in tuat dill or to
make them the subject of distinct propo-
sitions NJ
Mr. said itshad always appeared to
him, since the abandonment of the emSar-
go, that further commercial restrictions
would be unavailins: He had hoped the
reasonable course of the government
would have ensured respect to our rights.
but he now found the relations between
the two countries 70 be yerunchanged. He
said he had declared some days since,
that he was decidedly against war, if it
was possible to avoid it, and he was of
the same opinion still. He would not il it
could be avoided, engage in CONTEST with
either-or both Of the belligereass, or COM
meet toe nation with either of them. AT
the same time, however, he was equally
conirmed in the cpinion that the time had
arrived, when il became the duty Of the
United BATES to maiutain by force, If me-,
CessarYs their right 10 Gerry on cea:nerce
to every Country which VIII receive it on
fair and honorable terms. The object of
the resolution .he' was about to submit was
TO obtain a decision OF the House, whether
they would employ our naval force to con-
voy our trade to those nations not having
in force DEGREES against our commerce. and
whether they would permit associations a.
mong our merchants for the purpose of
arming and defending themselves in their
trade to any foreign nation. AT the SINE
time Mr. said it was proper to declare
it as his opinion taking view of the un
certain situation of affairs, and having re.
ferenc: TO the late negotiation and the
pos' 5le course which may be pursued by
the British government in relation to this
country. that it was a duty which they
owed 10 themselves aud to the nation to
place the country in the best state OF de.
fence. With that view he SAID he would
Cooperate in any system which might be
digestsd for preparing for war. He "a
gam declared that it was not his object to
pf0mote war system. His object was
AeWly attentive, as it contemplated moth.
ing mprefhan to defend those rights of
hsA3teH States which were not question.
co V8NHouse or elsewhere by any A.
mericapy whatever his political opinions.
Whenever the nation was called upon to
take this course, he hoped it would be a..
BILE to defend its rights. In presenting
this proposition to the House, he had mere.
ly offered mis- view which it would be pre-
sumption 10 him to say was entirely cor
rect but IL was the result Of his mature
consideration. Mr. .. then read the fol-
lowing resolution.
Resolved, That the President of the u.
70 f,a. raI
the public armed vessels tor the purpose
OF conveying and protecting the ships and
vessels the properly of citizens of the u
s. laden with goods of their growth, pro.
auce or manufacture, and not contraband
OF war, IN their trade to and from ports o.
pen for their reception by the regulations
OF the government under whose jurisdicti.
on they are situated, ard not being actually
biockaded or invested by a competent
force: Provided such government shall
not have in force edicts or DEGREES against
Eeutral commerce---and that the owners
and crews of merchant vessels owned, la
Gen or destined as aforesaid, be permitted
TO associate and ARA for their defence "a
gainst illegal capture and molestation, un-
der such regulations as shall be prescribed
BY law"
Mr. b. said there were two other views
Of this subject, which he had not touched
upon 1t would be hereafter for the House
to decide whether il would be proper to
permit the public vessels of the u. States
10 recapture vessels taken under the ora
dsrs and decrees--snd whether it would
be proper 20 authorize the merchants to
associate and arm, and to permit them to
capture any vessel by which they may be
attacked. ,r
Mr. Dana suggested the propriety of the
variation OF word in theresolution, which
was more perenptory than the stile gen.
orally used when speaking of the President
Of the u. States. Heads OF Departments
were required, but the President was
generally requested or authorised to do
any act As to the general subject Of the
resolution, Mr. ID said he was glad that
il Ras brought forward-that a specific
pfopoItnn was presented which the
House Eonld feally understand and which
seemsdaso be approaching somewhat to Sc
rieus business
Mr. Burwell said he had no objection to
the modification suggested, but he thought
the expression f" request" was confined
TO calling upon the President for intorma-
ton, case ia which 1t was at his option
70 comply or not
The resolution WIS ordered to lie on the
table and to be printed,