Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-12-16
~ e.S:<t> 90 sar--
HOUSE Of REPRESENTATIVES,.
December s.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.

FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The following is the substance of the re-
marks with which the Chairman of the com
| mittee of Foreign Relations commenced the
| discussion Of their neport:
Mr. Porter said that the House were pro
badly expecting from the committee Of Fo-
reign Relations some explanations Of tleii
views IN reporting the resolutions now under
consideration, in addition to the general cx-
position 81 them contained in the report itself
The committee themselves felt that such cx-
plantations were due, inasmuch as thcy had
Only reported in part, and had intimate,l
their intention TO follow up these resolutions,
should they ce adopted, by the recommends
ton OF Interior measures.
The committee, MIR. p said, after exan,in-
ing the various documents accompanying the
PRESIDENTS message, were satisfied, as he
presumed every member OF the House was.
tbat hepes or accommodating our differences
with u. Britain by negotiation must be aban-
doned. When they looked at the corrcspo,i-
dence between the two governments when
they observed the miserable shifts and eva
sions (tor they were entitled to no better. an
pellation) to which G.. Britain resortcd to ex
cnse the violations Of our maritime rights. il
was impossible not to perceive that her con-
Duct towards us was not regulated even l,v
her own sense of justice, but solely by a re-
gard to the probable extent of our forbear-
ance. The last six years had been marked
by series OF progressive entertainments on
our rights; andthc principles ~ which she
PnoICly uPhcid her aggresSions, were as mu-
table as her conduct. We had seen her one
year advancing doctrines, which the wear be-
fore she had reprobated. We had seen her
one day capturing cGr vessels under pretcyts.
which on the preceding day she would have
been ashamed OF afraid to ayow. Indeed.
said Mr.. L. she seems to have been Constant
~ and carefully feeling our pulse, to ascer-
ram what potlons We would bear; and if we
SO On submitting to one iudignity after ano-
ther, II VIII not be long before we shall sec
British subjects, not only taking our proper.
ty in our harbors, bit trampling ON our Dcr-
sons IN the streets Of our cities.
Having become convinced that all homes
from further negotiation were idle, the com
mlttee, Mr.P said, were led 10 the consider
atom OF another question, which was-whc-
Their the maritime rights which G.. Britain is
violating were such as we ought to support
at the hazard and expense of war, And
he believed he was correct in stating that The
committee was unanimously Of the opinion
that they were. The committee Thought
interrupt our direct trade that is, the car
rying of the productions of this country to
market in the ports of friendly nations. and
returning with the proceeds of them-ousht
to be resisted by war. How far we ought to
go IN support OF what is commonly called the
carrying trade, although the question was a.
gitated In the committee, no dehnitive opini-
on was expressed. II was not deemed ne
cessary, at this time, to express such an chi
mon, inasmuch as the injury we sustain by the
inhibition of this trade is merged in the greats
er one to our direct trade
The orders in council, Mr.. p. said. of which
there seemed now to be no prospect of sree-
dy repeal, certainly none during the continu-
ance OF the present war, authorised the cap
ture oil our vessels bound to and from ports
where British commerce is not favorabiy re-
ceived; and as that nation is at war with
most OF the civilized world, the effect was las
he understood from those who had much bet
ter information on the subject than he could
pretend toy to cut up, at once, about three.
fourths of our best and most profitable COM
merce. 1t was impossible that the mercan-
tile OF agricultural interests of the u. States
which on the question of a right to the direct
trade could never be separated, could submit
10 such impostions. 1t was his opinion, thai
gong upon the ground of a more pccuniar,
calculation, calculation Of profit and loss
1t would be for cur interest to go to war tc
| remove the orders in council, rather Their
submit to them, even during the term Of theil
| probable Continuance
But there was another point of view il
| Whieh the subject presented itself to the com
mIttee, and that was as regarded the cha
racter OF the country. We were a Young ma
ton, and he hoped We cherished a little prid,
ana spirit, rs well rs great deal Of jnstic,
! ana moderation Oar situation was not nil
IKE that OF young man Just entering into life
| anu VINO, 81 be tamc,y Submitted 20 one cool
ueiberate, intentional indignity, might safe
| ly Calculate to be kicked and cuffed for tn,
| Wholc OF the remainder Of his life. or. If Il,
| should afterwards undertake 70 retrieve hi
! Character must DO il at ten times the c5<
pence which 1t would have cost him at FIRE
70 support It, We ,hould clearly undsrstar,
and dehnc those rights which as nation ",
ought to support, and We should supper
them ut every hazard. u there be any suci
thing as rights between rations. surely tl,,
people Of the Uhfgcd Gfalas. occupying 0p
nan Of continent, have right to navicat,
the seas, without being rr1lested BY ;he iHha
btanis q the httlc island IF 6. Britain.
III was under these views OF the subject tina
The committee did not hesitate 10 give L n
| their opinion that We cught r. 90 70 war /,
opposition to the orders in council. But as {,
INC e%.tnt O. tic var aud tie time when i
| s"OH!C DC commenced, there would Of cours,
DC some diversity Ct scntimc.% ~ ;he House
az thtie "df, al FIRST, in ;ae Committee.