The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-02-15


back to the committee of foreign relations a
bill reported under the belief of the exist [.
ence of state OF things different from that
which we are officially informed does exist
1t there be any other mode by which VIC can
resume an impartial position between the
two belligerents, i am willing to agree to
liz; for that was the real object of the Law,
to ascertain whether justice would be done
by either / am free to say that do not
believe thai commercial restrictions will in -
duce either to abandon its course unless the
other does. Neither will begin. What
measures should be adopted in that case is
not for me to say. If we continue to be in
jured by both the beIligerents, one thing is
proved; that this non-intercourse system is
not strong enough to bring either or both Of
them to terms. You cannot operate on
them, unless perhaps by apromise TO go to
| war with one If the other shall revoke its
edic,s &c.
AS to he argument in favor of delaying a
decision OF the Presenr question, the sooner
it il decided The better Vessels now ar
irving from G.. Brit ain, who is no more TO
blame than France is. are subject to con-
hscation. and not English but bona ide
American property is mus confsc ted -
But, as the gentlemen rom Virginia says,
let ns have clear stays, let US begin O legis-
! late anew. Our present system has not
produced any good nor can it,: aud if France
should revoke her edcts, we can re-enact
the non- Intercourse.
To conclude. sr I put the question in
this plain palpable form. Both belgcrrn ts,
| for augh' We know, continue in force tnr,,
unjust edict, Bn we are in state of int,
| 'urse with ne and non-intercourse and
| inhospi'aiity with the other. Shall this state
! OF things Con inue. Gentlemen must say
| no. 1t s. the next QUESTION IL, how shall
\ we pu, an end tn this unreasonable partial
state OF things. Onl, b. repeating this act,
leaving ourselves at liberty to devise such
new system shall be best suited to our
circumstances and the present state of the
| ."o Id
M M'Kim was decidedly favorable to
the recommtment of this bill for the rea
s rs assigned by the chairman &c. 80 as TO
relieve citizens ofthe U. Slates from anrea-
! son ,bte difficulty but he was opposed TO
the amendment offered to the mott n because
u could not be adopted without manifest
breach of faith ami he hoped il would al
ways be one OF the first of objects wi h the
government to keep its faith with all she
world / am not of opinion. said Mr. NJ.
that the law passed last ession authorisiny
the Presidents proclamation. was merely
rule OF action Tor our own citizens IL went
further l. held out a motive to Great Bril-
tain and France to induce them To Cease de
| predations on ou' commerce. 1t appears hat
France has availed herself of our proposition,
and has officially announced that her de-
crees ceased operation on the LIST of Novem
Der last. Agreeab!y 10 the terms Of the law
the President has announced this fact by pro-
| clamation. France having acted on this
| law 1t will be ou' OF our power, wi hout the
most HasTaut breach Of gopi fai,n TO say
that we will repeal that law; that France
shall not derive the benefit contemplated by
1t. The gentleman from Newly k has OBJ,
| served that there is a d distinction made in
onr procedure towards the two nations; that
we have no evidence that France has so re-
| " ked her edicts that thev ceased to violate
our neutral commerce. When we Compare
the circumstances of the arrangement of
! Apr !, 1909, with Great Britain, and ,ha of
November last with France, we shall fnd
| the expressions in both cases to nave bee
much alike. Great Britain stated 10 cur gov
ernment that her orders IN council on a given
day should have ceased France, that her
diets would Cease to opei ate. j can see dis
Junction here. 1t Is the courteSey between
governments 10 take the assurance for tive
act, and not to wait, as md viduals, to Sc.
| whether they would do what they promised,
&c. The President in both these cases has
pursued his course--~a course in my opinion
| seldom deviated from.
| n S'cd' uedl mas Oeen SAID, relative to the
IN onvcnences of the non-intercourse, EN-
barge, and the restrictive system generally.
l'hat has no bearing on this question. The
real question ISIS our faith pledeeG To
France. and shall we comply with i. ? If
restrictive measures are incouvene ut, il is
NJ argument agains; our complying with our
engagements. We are bound to carry the
| law into effect. hope this nation will never
be guilty of a breach Of faith, but will con
tinue at all times to- fulfil the engagements
she has entered into For hese reasons SIR.
though ] am anxious that the bill should be-
Irec9mmitted, am as anxiously opposed to
the repeal OF the law, as proposed by the
anne ndment.
M. Fisk said that ON taking his seat this
m.rnng, nothing was fur ner from his ex
pectatiou than the discussion IN W ,icn he
fund the House engaged /; although unex-
lpected, thls discussion was not unimporta ant
1t was important as related 20 the CONNER
ciai Interests ct The country, and 70 the honor,
character, and good faith of The govern
ment; and he regretted that he had been
prevented from taking his seat IN tir+e tn
hear the arguments Of the hon. gentleman
from Virginia, (Mr. Randolph) IL support II
the amendment he had offered ii, the consi
derati0u Ut the House We are called upon
by TINS resolulioDi (said M. F. to instruct
the committee OF foreign relations 90 pre-
pare and bring ~ bill, to repeal the act
concerning Commercial intercourse &c pass-
ed the Is, OF MAY last This directs our a =