The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-12-14

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B., even at sea.
We could have, within six mouths after
declaration OF war, hundreds of hripa.eers III
every part OF the ocean. We could harrass,
II not destroy, the vas and profitable com-
nerCe VIII lch she is constantly carrying on 10
very part of this continent We could Ges- Z
roy her fisheries To the north; we could de-
rebate upon her commerce to the West
INDIA islands which is passing by our doors
c could annoy her trade along the coast OF
conth America; we could evln carry the
war to her own shores in Europe. But, Mr..
(. sald, there was another point where We
could attack her, and where she would feel
our power SILL more scnsibV. We could de-
pr've her o. he: extensive provinces Wing
along our borders to the north. These pro-
vlnces were not only immensely valuable in
themselves, but almost Indispensable to the
Existence oil Great Britain, Cut OF Us she
now is In great measure from the north ct
europe. He had been credibly informed thas
me exports from Quebec ;.lony amounted,
during the last year, to near six millions of
collars, and most of these too in articles of
the nrst necessiy--in ship timber and in
provisions tor the support of her fleets and
armies. By carrying on such a war as he
aad described, at the public e:pence, on
and. and by individual eg.terprize at sea, we
should be able in a short time 10 rcmuneratc
ourselves tcnfold for all the spoliations she
mad committed on our commerce.
1t was with view to make preparations
cor such war, that. the committee had Of
tered the resolutions on the table Whether
the means recommended were adequate to
tue object, or whether they were best adapt
ed to the end, it would be for the House
when they came to discuss them separately
10 determine. For himself, MIR. T.. said, anc
re presumed such were the feelings of all the
members of the committee, lie should have
no objection TO any notifications OF them
which might be agreeable to the house, $
mat the great object was still retained. ii
these resolutions, or any other similar tothem
III object, should pass (; it was then the in
tentlon OF the committee, as soon as the for
Ces contemplated to be raised, should be III
any tolersblc state of prcpara,ion, to recon-
mend the employment of them for the purpo-
scs for which they shall have been raised,
unless Great Britain shall, in the mean time,
have done us justice. In short, it was the
determination OF the committee to recommend
pen and decided war--a war as vigorous
ana ehectve as the resources OF the country
and the relative situation OF ourselves and our
enemy would enable us to prosecute.
The committee, Mr.. p. said, have not re-
commended this course Of measures without
full sense OF the high responsibility which
they have taken upon themselv. 5. They are
aware that war, even in its best and farcst
form, is an evil deeply to be deprecated -
But 1T IS sometimes, and few occasions
perhaps more than on this, III Cessarv evil.
For myself, / confess have 3; preached the
subject not only with ,iitfcence, but with
awe: But will never shrink from my duty
because 1T is arduous On unpleasant; and
can most rehgiously declare that never act
ed under stronger OF clearer convictions Of
dnty than Go now in Recommending these
preparatory measures: or, tltan / shall ulti-
mately III recommending war, in case Great
britain shall not have rescindcd her orders
In Council, and made some satisfactory ar
rangements in respect to the impressIaent Of
our seamen. III there should be any gentle
men IN the House who We're ret satisfied that
we onght to so 20 war for our maritime
rShts, MIR. =. earnestly entroated that thcy
would not vote Tor the resolutions. Do NOT,
sad he, let us raise armies, unless we in
tend to employ them. If we do not mean to |
support the rights and honor f the country, |
let US net drain it OF It's re ourccs.
Mr.. p. said he was aw ( that there were
many gentlemen iii the III .,. c who were dis |
satisfied that the Commi had not gone |
further and recommended an immediate de-
ciaration OF war, or the adoption OF some |
Measure which would have instantly prccipi- |!
tated us into it. But he confessed such was |
not his opinion. lie had idea of plunging |
ourselves head-long into war with a pow |
erfui nation, or even respectable province, |
" nen we had not three regiments of men to |
spare for that service. He hoped that we |
should not be influenced by the howlings of |
nor by fear that the spirit of |
the Twelfth Congress would ne questioned
10 abandon the plainest dictate Of common
sense and common discretion. He was SEN
slbie that there were many good men out of
Congress as well as many of his best friends
In IT, whose appetitcs were prepared for
zvar .fcaSt. He was not surprised at it, for he
knew the provocatives had been sufficiently
cat hQ- ne ped they would not insist OH
calling in the guests, at least, until the ia
bic should have been spread. When this
was done, he pledged himself i'll behalf of |
the mmittee of Foreign Relations, that the
gentlemen should MT be disappointed of the
entertainment for want of bidding and he |
believed he might also pledge himself for
many of the members of the committee, that
they would not be among the last to purtake |
personally, not only IN the pleasures if
any there should be, but in all the dangers of
the re VERY.
Mr.. p said that this was the time and oc-
casion on which, above all others, within his
experience, we should act in concert. If the
ultimate object of the great body of this House
and OF this nation was the same, and so far as
he had been able to ascertain the sentiments
of both, it was--therc would be no difficulty
in attaining it. But we must yield sometime
to the opinions and tothe feelings of each o.
Their. Instead of indllging in ma ,.tv fefecf;-