The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-02-01
Congress.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,
DEBATE.
On The 6iH concerning commercial inter
course. and for ether PURPOSES.
(CoNTINUED.)

JANUARY &c.
The motion to strike out the 5ta section
still under Conside ration.
Mr. SMILE said he had given all the at
tentlon which he was capable of to this de.
bate, and he had at least been able to dis
cover what We're the views of different sides
OF tue d"use. One set of gentlemen, it ap
pears to me (said Mr.. 50 perfectly con-
sIStent with ALI their past conduct is for do
ing nothing, but Tor leaving our trade to roam
at large and take its chance. Whether
those gentlemen have the same feeling a.
myself, with respect to our injuries. | do
not pretend to say; but their opinions have
been uniform and dare say may be honest
l. mere is another set of gentlemen in this
House who are for what they call energetic
measures. n third set. which ! believe |
may denomnate the moderate party, is for
pursuing measures different from either-I
mean those i'll favor OF the presen, bill
why, sir, Cannot those gentlemen who are
10 favor OF energetic measures agree with
'hose who are fer pursuing moderate mea
sures, which they only consider beginning
our opposition, depending upon us for here
alter adopting measures which in their oDi
mon may comport with the interests of the
nation! They may rest assured that they
VIII not get at their object by joining in OPP
position to the bill with those who are for
DONG nothing AS TO energetic measures,
sir, really am surprised to hear gentlemen
now talk OF them. If they mean "a declara
ton OF war, no one ofthem pretends to bring
forward such measure, They are well a
ware that motion for declaration of war
under present circumstances, would not
pass this House. L do not know. sir, what
may be the opinion OF other gentlemen, but
Tor one do not mean to stop here. We are
now upon part of the business which will
carry us safe at least as far as respects com
uercial regulations. The House seems tobc
pretty generally agreed, that we should in
terdict our waters to foreign armed vessels
and also as to getting r.d Of the uon.inter-
course law ii the clause now under consi
Iteration were to be struck out, there would
be an end To all commercial regulation. II
gentlemen wish for any commercial regula
uohs, they Certainly wish TO retain this
clause.
| Will observe, sir, With respect to war.
IN my opinion, 1T would be a preDosterous
measure, at this time to go into it. The Pre-
sdent of the United States has dismissed
jackson for his misconduct, but has never
thel=ss declared that he is still willing to ne
gociate with any other agent who may be
sent out. Now how would declaration of
war by Congress comport with this transac
ton! No man could seriously thiuk it pro
should run counter to each other. At all e
vents, before a step is taken to produce a
war, we ought TO wait till we hear what
step the British nation has thought proper
10 take IN consequence of the dismissal of
their minister. | ask again of gentlemen
who are for energetic measures, whether
they had rather rely epon the friends of this
bill than upon that class who are for done,
nothing at alls l mean no reflections upon
them, for no doubt they think they are right ::
but surely we that are for doing something
are rather To be depended on for doing some
thing better. than those who are for doing
nothing. At the saae time, sir, | am vii
ing to declare that ! am not vet ripe for war.
have my fears on the subject, and wish
that before this business 10 settled, we may
not be under the necessity Of terminatine, it
by that expedient. ! still, however, have
hopes that we will not. I've questions are
to be decided before VIC go 20 war. /. Wbe.
Their we have cause Tor war? That ouesti.
on, believe, all would answer in the afr.
native. 2. Supposing that we have lust
cause Of war, whether it would be the inter
est Fthc nation To- 50 20 war! As / do not
believe it would, sir, confess am in favor
ot tie measure now under cons,de ration
II we do no. agree on his bill, see that the
House Is divided into three parties and will
do nothing
Mr.. PoTTER.--It has been observed by
the gentleman last mp from Maryland. (Mr.
montgomery the nou-intercourse is very IN.
furious otbis country and that it gives the
English an exclusive privilege tc carry our
produce 60 rarSGt, end that they under
stood CONNIE rCiai regulations, and that there
was TO danger Of Great Britain retaliating
~ this respcct, that 1t would be an outrage
agree that they understand commercial
regulations, ard tbey oan very easily cYade