Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-13

an end to this debate, which wouid Oe ny Cal
ling for the previous question, IT those on tho
other side of the house would not take part IN
the discussion. He said the committee Of
foreign relations had acted with the utmost
candor in avowing the object for which this
army was intended, instead OF recommending
preparations for war first, and declaring It al
forwards. He said that it was highly lmPor-
tant to put the country in state OF defence,
as the British could in very short time SEND
force to Quebec, sufficiently powerful to
march to Boston. Mr.. T. was positive, at
the same time, that it was too soon tor this
country to GO to war. He repeated, that 1t
the debate continued in its present shape, nc
should be compelled to move tor the previous
question.
Mr.. Randolph insisted, that what he had
stated, relative to the disagreement among
the committee of foreign relations on the
subject Of war, was correct. he SAID that
proposition was adopted in that committee au-
thorising the president to Fit out all the armed
vessels belonging to the U. States, torthe PursE
pose of conveying merchantmen, OF recaptur.
ing any of our vessels, and OF capturing YES
sells making resistance, &c. sc. On his stat
ing to the committee that this was neither more
nor less than war, the proposition, alter
some discussion, was rescinded. In this
wsy, the resolution recommending war 20 the
house was positively rejected by the commit
tee.
Mr.. Calhoun admitted that the committee
had rejected the proposition Tor immediate
war; but he contended that they had adopted
all the resolutions under the impression that
they contemplated the adoption of measures
preparatory to war
Mr.. Porter made similar explanation re-
lativc to what took place in the committee.
MIR. Grundy offered some additional expla'
nations, acknowledging that he himself was l.
favor OF immediate war, but had been overrui-
Ell by inc
Mr.. Key also detailed some of the transac.
tons in the committee.
Mr.. Macon observed that he should mucE
rather havs war at once, if it was to be re-
sorted to. He was as much opposed to stand
ing armies, in time Of peace, as any man
but they mast be used in case of war, and es-
oecialiy as the militia could not be sent out OF
| the limits Of the United States. He proceed
| ed to take view of the causes which had led
10 our present embarrassments-He should
upport war entered into in defence of our
light to carry our own produce /; but he
should oppose war undertaken to encourage
manufactures, or that might tend to fasten a.
ny systems upon us which we never could get
ridof. He acknowledged that wehadno Wash
| ihgton now; such men did not often appear;
perhaps there had not Leen such a one since
| the days Of Joshua but he believed, with
| the exception Of the commander in chief we
| had better chance of selecting good officers
now, than we had at the commencement of
| the revolution.-He saw no propriety in hur-
Tying the decision of this question Con agree
ing to the resolution J he wished TO give e.
very man time to deliver his sentiments upon it.
With respect to what had been said about
closing the doors upon this subject, he was
convinced it would have been useless: he
had as high an opinion of the virtue of the ma
| ton as any man; but experience had long a.
go convinced him that Congress could not
keep secret. Mr.. Foster would know
what they were celebrating about as well as
any person.
AS soona as Mr. Macon concluded the house
adjourned g o'clock
Caesar A. Rodney, Esq has resigned his
anpointrent as Attorney General of the Unit.