Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-14

Scdmens IL was certain tnat Ien. "ni5 to"f
who felt as much for the sufferings OF his
fellow citizens as any man now living, did
not think that sufficient cause of war
In fact, the people of this country were dis
posed to remain in peace. Mr. Jefferson
knew this and it was for this reason that he
had delayed to call Congress together soon
after the affair of the Chesapeake, when 1t
was evident that all parties would unite in "a
venging that most calling Of all insults. He
had always respected Mr.. Jefferson but he
respected him the more for his prudence on
that occasion. How then, said Mr.. S. can it
be true Gas stated by some that this was the &C
cepted time for war with g. B. at the very mo-
ment when that worst ofall our grievances had
been amic4bIy settled between the two nations
Mr.. S. referred to the doctrines held forth
by the present ruling party while in the MI
nority Csa-9) He said they were not a.
shamed at that time to enter into calculations
as to the expence of a war. He did not pre-.
tend that we had not justi6able causes of war;
but nation which should go to war for every
Insult received, would be involved in eternal
war. He should not vote for single regular
soldier, especially as the committee Of Foreign
Relations had declared their intention to pur-
sue warlike measures, and the avowed pur-
pose of this army was to make foreign con-
quests. This might be accomplished but
where was the certainty that our object would
be thus attained We might have to nego-
ciate for it at last. He was determined to
oppose every measure calculated to change
the present pacific character of the country,
by raising armies and navies, and involving
the nation in incalculable expence, loss, Ca
lanity and bloodshed.
Mr.. Friday said the true questions before
the house was, whether we were prepared to
go to war. and whether the crisis had arrived
for undertaking it His own opinion, in both
instances, was in the affirmative.
Mr.. King also supported the Resolution.
The time had arrived, when we must either
fight or submit. With respect to what had
been said as to the dangers to be apprehended
from the black population of the Southern
states, in case ofwar it appeared to have been
intended to rouse the fears of members. But
he should not be deferred from his duty on
that account. At the same time he regrette d
that such population existed in those states.
He sincerely wished some second Moses
would lead them to more favored cline /;
he for one should not expose himself to the
danger Of being overwhelmed by the waves.
He was in favor of taking Canada not for the
purpose Of extending our territory, but to
wound Great Britain i'll her most vulnerable
part, for the many wrongs she had inflicted
upon us, by impressing our sesmen and con-
! fscating our rroperty.-He considered that
there was no force in the argument that be-
! cause the majority were opposed to war
with France III '9o-9, they ought not TO go TO
war now.
The Speaker expressed his regret that Ill
the course Of this debate, reference should
! have been made to particular parties. He
hoped gentlemen would see the improperly
of such distinctions and illusions.
Mr.. Nelson said he should not consider
himself in voting for this resolution, as pledg
ed to support amy Interior measures. In max
ing this declaration, be might be regarded a:
abandoning his republican friends but he
should pursue the dictates of his own judy
ment, and the interests of his constituents
! uninnuenced by denunciations from any quar-
ter wha,ever-If he could be convinced that
war would accomplish the objects for which
it was proposed to be commenced, ne shoult
support it {: but as it did not appear that such
would be the result, he could not. The Ell
e.. ~ g, v,,r would he m convert our sea