The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-03-06
COMMERCIAL INTERCoURsE..

ether purposes.
MIR. h433.ford expressed hope that the
HoSse would not concur in the amendments
of the Senate for they had struck out all
thar part of the bill which was good for any
thing Government, me said, was institated
for the protection Of life. liberty and pro-
perry. Is the House adopted the bill as "a
Inended, they abandoned the protection OF
property--and if they refused TO protect com
merce, the liberty or the citizen would also
be unprotected. as ii had been violated for
seven years past. lie said he himself had
BEEN witness Of the laceration of one of
our citizens in such an inbuman manner
that he had expired under the last cas-
tigation inhiCted on him. This was in pu-
nishment for an attempt to regain his liber.
~. Property atioat OH the ocean could be
defended by insurance; but the liberty of
the citizen could not be insured. Mr.. NJ.
called upon gentlemen in the name of the
seamen, who looked to the government for
protection, to adopt some measure for their
security. His system, he said, was that of
convoy. 1t was not system of to day; his
opposition to the bill as it went from the
iouse had not been an opposition for oppo-
sition's sakes on the one hand, he had oppo-
sed it, but he had offered substitute on the
other. The bill, as amended, Mr.. Mumford
said, was taeit acknowledgment to the bel
ilgerents that we have been all in the wrong
Tor sevsn years past, and that they have
been wholly right and in proportion as we
receded, they would certainly advance
For himself, he wanted nothing of the belh-
Berents but common justice ; but, if the ma
uon would not assert its rights at this time,
We should indeed become hewers of wood
and drawers OF water He said he was in
favor OF the elnbsrSo originally-he believ
ad 1t wise measure, and had no doubt it
had saved hundred millions of dollars to
the nation; and, if power had been put in
the hands of the President to enforce it, there
would have been none of the smuggling which
was now complained Of. The fault Law in
trusting too muCht the perfectibility Of hu
man nature. Laws never were made to res
train good menbut to bind rogues and some
power therefore was necessary to carry them
into effect. MIR. M. quoted the journals to
shew that the bill TO authorize the Prcsi-
dent to employ the naval force to enforce
the embargo had been postponed indefinite
ly. He mentioned this because the viola,i-
on OF the embargo system had been charg.
gu on the merchants generally. whose cha
racter he defended from charge OF being
habitual violators of the laws. There might
be bad men amongst them, as there was in
every class OF society, but that was no rea-
son TO ImPeach the Integrity Of the whole
He hoped, before the House should consent
TO the amendments to the bill, that they
would fall upon some system to defend the
liberty of the citizen. He said he could take
care OF his own property; but when he re-
turned home, he could not bear to be called
on by the fathers, mothers and relatives of
these impressed citizens to know what had
been done for their relief, and not have it in
MS power TO answer them satisfactorily.
Mr.. Love declared his belief, that since
the formation OF the constitution the Anne
rlcan Congress had never been called upon
to deliberate on so vitality important cues
fton as that now proposed to them, which
n fact, Involved q dcrelic,ion Of the princi
iesot the declaration of independence. He
ald he had not been warm advocate for
he bill, as it went from this House he had
fought it a recession from the high ground
eretofore taken; but, rs returned, it ap
Feared to him to be bottomed on the doctrine
OF non-resistaDce and absolute dependence.
Inr. l.. took Il view of the various injurious
measures and DEGREES Of the belligerents 6,
OF the measures adopted by the u. States in
consequence. Had the state Of things alter
cd since these measures were adopted Had
there been the least relaxation He quoted
the proceedings CT the Senate and House Of
Representatives twelve months ago, when,
10y majority OF one hundred and twenty one
to two, this House had resolved chat the
'heir rights, honor and independence, sub
mt to the late edicts Of Great Britain and
france And now it was proposed to sub
nit 10 those very edicts--yes, to go beyond
that submissioE--fo since that time, the ma
ton had received additional insults. Mr.
Love saidhe wished, however, more parti
cuiarly TO call the attention of the House &c
the substantial question Of Il dere,iction Of
the spirit OF orr essential rights Of property
and liberty. The bill, as sent from the Sen
ate, now merely Contained that resistance
which the Legislature thought proper to op.
pose TO the aggressions of British fleets O,
CfuZers entering our harbors and commit
Ting prsmeditated or wanton assaults and vi
Citations OF our jurisdiction but Contained
no other resistance. If the House were II
acquiesce in the amendments of the Senate
the bill would be such a recognition of the
assumed rights OF the beliigerentS as by the
law OF nations, could never hereafter be CON
uoverted. He said it was principle tina, q
weak nation, when an irresistible force was
employed to aid the views of a greater
Gould submit without disgrace. But was TN AZ
the situation OF the UEiied States9 Should
itbe ieit to posterty to say that the present
generation were unable to support their
fights, when they had million 81 men into
whose hands nuSkets and bayonets could be
Put, and q solid capital which would pro
duce hve hundred millions OF dollars Pos
terity might blush for the degradation of the
present generation If the bill passed, but
couid not urge in their excuse the plea of
weakness. The principles of the bill as IL
went to the Senate were the last stage ou