Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-06-28

on his high responsibility would nor
consider-I would not deGberate-I would
Doubtless the President possesses
such further information as will justify the
measured" On this extraordinary declaga-
ton made the following remarks: =" Need
give to your Excellency any other proof
(though other proof abounds) of blind con-
fdence in our rulers? Need give further
evidence of the dangerous extent of exc
cu;iye Influence? When the people of Mas
sachusetts see man of Mr.. Adams &C.
knowledged abilities and learning advanc.
ing such sentiments when they see man
of his knowledge of the nature of all 60
vernments, and of his intimate acquaint-
ance with our own free republican govern
ncnt, and of the rights and duties OF the
legislature especially of their right and
duty to consider, to deliberate, and accord
ing to their GUN judgment, independently
of executive pleasure, to decide on every
public measure: When, say, the people
of Massachusetts see this, will they won-
der if majority in Congress should be
ooersoheInaea by the authority of executive
recommendation i? And had not reason to
be alarmed at the dangerous extent OF exc
cutive Influence, which to me appeared to
be leading the public mind, by its blind
confidence, TO public ruin :"
Such were my reflections in April, 1903.
The subject now requires some additional
observations.
Universal experience, as well as the
highest authority, assures US, that " out OF
the abundance of The heart the mouth speak
eth" If, as Mr.. Adams represents, the
rumoured British Orders in Council were
so strongly impressed on his mind as to
constitute the most powerful motive for the
embargo, is it conceivabe--can any man
believe-that HE Gas well as the president
and every other member of the Senate)
would have been absolutely silent concern.
ing them? When the emhargo-advoc s
IS IN the Senate were urged to consent TO a
little delay for the purpose of obtaining
further information" how could they,
with Mr.. Adams at their head, withhold
their strong impressions, if they existed,
respecting the orders in council! The or
ders rested, it is true, merely en- newspa-
per repgrts, or other unauthorized state
ments; yet Mr.. Adams says, the facts
respecting them zvere Of all tie most mate
rial, upon fair and impartial examination
Of the expediency of the embargo &C,
rUhen it passed.* Still, however, not one
word was uttered concerning them. OBJ
serve, moreover, that Mr.. Adams was sc
far from Offering the reports concerning
the orders in council as grounds for passing
the embargo bill, that he even disclaimec
the knowledge Of any facts other than those
which the President had communicated
resting the decision on his recommendation
and the further information which, Mr.
Adams suggested, the President nigh
possess. The inevitable conclusion from
these details is, that the British orders il
council were not even in the conte mplatiol
of Mr.. Adams himself, when he gave hi
jealous assent to the embargo. And with
out imputing to him palpable violation o
truth, his contrary assertion may be &C
counted for, by subsequent actual appear
ance of the orders in council, which tn
administration and its partizans artfull
blended with the original pretence for i'm
posing the tnabargo: and the warmth @
Mr.. Adams's passions. and his prejudices
resentments and hatred towards G.. Britain
lead him also TO confound them with hi
original motives for advocating and votn
for the embargo.
But must again recur to the extraordl
nary declaration of Mr.. Adams, of tn
ground on which he voted for the embargo
"The President (says he) has recommend
ed the measure On his high responsibility
would not c2nsider-I would not deAbt
rate: would act. Doubtless the Press
dent possesses such further Information a
will Justify the measure" The Frenc
Emperor has Legislative body; but the
frame no laws; these are prepared by hi
ministers, according to HIS WILL: an
his Legislators have the honour of givin
their assent to them. In what does thi
practice of a despot and his slaves diffe