The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-12-19

we foresaw, Mr.. Speaker, that our coun
ltrymen were to fall IN the mcditatcd con-
r'lct, &that American blood was to stream
afresh. Nor were we unmindful of the en-
penditure OF public treasure. And, sir, what
| cost me more reflection than every thing
else was, the new test to which we are to
put this government We are about to as
certain by actual experiment how far our
republican institutions are calculated to
i stand the shock OF wal, and whether, afs
| ter foreign danger has disappeared, we can
| again ssume our peac eiul atitude, without
endanyering the liberties of the people.
| Against these considerations, weiphtv in
themselves. your committee felt themselves
| constrained to decide, influenced by exist-4
| ing circumstances OF character too impe.
| rious to be resisted: these will enumerate
before | sit down. My business at present is
to address particular portion Of the menu.
bers OF this House mean, sir, the Reputx4
lican members--and although what / am a.
bout to say might be deemed impolitic on orr
binary subjects of legislation, yet, at this
time, and on this occasion, it would br ogi-.
mlnal to conceal single thought which might
influence their determination. We should
jnow, Mr.. Speaker, forget little party ami
mosities, we should mingle minds freely, and,
as far as we are able, commune with the nm:
lderstandings of each other and, the decisi-,
on once made, let us become one people. and
present an undivided front to the enemies oE
our country.
Republicans should never forget that some
Years ago a set of men of different politics
held the reins of this government, and drove
the car CT state ; they were charged with
being friendly to standing armies in times of
jpeace, and favourable to expensive cstab-
iishments not for the purpose of opposing
foreign enemies, but to encourage executive,
patronage, and to bring these forces to one.
rate upon the people themselves. These
measures alarmed the republicans they
demonstrated, they clamored, they aprcal-
led to the people, and by national sentence.
the men then in power were taken down.
from their high places, and republican men
were put in their seats.
Ii Your minds are resolved on war YOU
are consistent, YOU are right, YOU are still
republicans buff YOU are not resolved.
pause and reflect, for should this resolution
pass, and YOU then become fairt-hcarted
remember that you have abandones YOUR
old principles, and trod in the paths of your
predecessors
According to my view of this subject, Mr..
Speaker, we now stand on the bank ones
movement more, the Rubcon is passed, we
are IN Italy, and we must march to Rome
AS a member of the committee, feel no
hesitation in saying, that if there be MEM
Der here, no. determined to go with us. to
the extent OF our measures, prefer now to
take my leave of him, rather than be desertA
ed when the clouds darken, and the storm
thickens upon us. ~
| This admonition owed to candor-I have
paid it, not because doubted; ny purpose
, IS settled, my mind reposes upon i'll may
be IN an error-If am, / hope my country
!, will forgive me-From m God shall ne
yer need it, becausche knows the purity Of
: my motives.
Twill now state the reasons which influenced
the committee, in recommending the mea-
sures now before us.
: 1t is not the carving trade properly SO
called, about which this nation and Great
britain, are at present contcndng: Were
TINS the only question now under considcra-
ton, shculd feel great unwillineness chow
; ever clear our claim might be) to involve
the nation in war, for the assertion of right.
IN the enjoyment of which the community at
large are not more deeply concerned The
true question i'll controversy, is of n very diff
ferent character; it involves the interest OF
the whole nation 1t is the right of export
ing the productions of our own soil and indus
try, to foreign markets Sir our vessels are
l now captured when destined to the ports
: OF France, condemned by the British courts
OF admiralty, without even the pretext of
having on board contraband of war, Enemies
: Property, or, having on any other respect
violated the laws of nations. These depre-
Edauons on our lawful commerce, under
whatever ostensiblc pretences committed.
are not to be traced to any maXims or rules
OF public law, but to the maritime supreme
cy, and pride of the British nation. This
hostile and unjust policy of that country to-
wards us, is not to wondered at, when we re-
collect that the United States, are already
the second commercial nation in the world
The rapid growth of our commercial impor-
lance, has not only awakened the jealousy
OF the commercial interests of G.. Britain,
but her statesmen doubt anticipate with
deep concern, the maritime greatness Of
this republic.
The unjust and unprecedented demands
: now made by Great Britain, that we shall
cause the markets of the continent to be o.
pened to her manufactures, fully justifies
the views have suggested.
| hat we asa neutral nation should inter-
fcre between beligerents in their municipal
regulations, will net be contcnded for, By
any one: From the course pursued by thas
nation tor some years past, it evidently APP
pears, that neither public law nor justice,
but power alone. is made by her the test Of
maritime rights.
i What, Mr. Speaker, are we now called
ON TO decile' 1t is whether we will resist
by force, this attempt made by that govern
ment, to subject our maritime rights to
tine arbitrary and capricous rule of her