Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-10

A
had influenced him, in the committee OF TO-
reign relations, to support these resolutions.
He contended that there was no middle course
between fighting and surrendering our rights:
Negotiation ha been tried with Great-Britain
until the very mention of it was loathsome.
He took a view of the wrongs inflicted by her
upon our lawful commerce, and the extrava-
giant pretensions she set up. 1t could not be
believed that the British government was Sc
rious in demanding Of us to negotiate with
France, so as to have the trade of the CONT
nent opened to her. Such ridiculous pro"
position was a mere shift The impressment
ought to be resisted. He stated it as his firm
belief that the Prophet and his followers had
been urged to hostilities by British influence;
and if this was correct, the war was not to
commence, it had already been begun. For
his own part, he wished to see the British
driven from this continent. He was in favor
Of taking the Canadas, in order that they
might balance the vast extent of territory In
the Southern and Western country. We
had Che saitD two or three years ago, declar-
ed that we had but three ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
barge, War or Submission; yet the two FIRST
of these had not been rcsorted to; and OF
course, according to our own declaration
been ever since submitting. This was
disgraceful picture, but it was true. An
other consideration in favor of War, was,
that we could not repeal the Non lmporta-
ton law without a gross breach OF the
faith we had pledged to the French emperor
This law was demowlizi,g the nation; and IT
we could not unite this Gortian Knot which
selves, it must be cut by the sworh.-Mr &.
concluded by declaring that he should vote for
War against Great Britain, unless our o't-
fsrences should be settled with her; and II
there were any (republican) members IN the
house unwilliEg to SO so far, they had betieS
retreat now.
Mr.. Widgery also spoke in favor OF the re-
solution, and of strong measures. tie tait
him self bound to avcnge The wrongs OF I'M
pressed seamen. He thought It absurd t.
aprrehend any danger from ten or even TWEEN
" thousand regular troops: the militia OF the
country would not suffer them to commit any
excuses.
Mr. Cneves likewise supported the resolu-
ton He contenti-d th&. we acted properly
in singing cut Great-Brtain as our enemy'
after her refusal to accede to the fair PROPOSE
ton held nut to her equally with France, by
,hc ~ oflsl0. 1t Was evident that an addl-
,.ional regular force was necessary, both Tor
defence and aggression He did not, Ike the
gentleman from Kentucky, address himself
exclusively to those with whom he generally
ranked in politics (rcpub!icans); but he adj
dressed himself to all the people OF the Unit
ed States, Fcderalists as well as Republicans
for he believed that in case of war, the go
yernncnt would 10 where find more cordial
support than among tic former He conciud-
ed bv hoping that the resolution would be a
aopted as q preparatory measure.
Mr.. Randolph said he had hoped we had
already had enough of the nauseous dose OF
repeating the aggressons Of the beiligerents.
Gentlemen had outrun the executive In select
ing their antagonist. II they were determined
to go to war with Great-britain, why not lay
a simple resolution to that effect on the table
instead of this pitiiui proposition to raise
few thousand vagabonds Do they suppose
that Great Britain, or any other experienced
belligerent would Shut her eyes and cars a
gainst all these Expressions of our determine
ton to attack her hereafter, and quietly walt
til we were ready Mr.. r. was proceeding