Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-12-27

his Offering the reparation (as it was called
for the dastardly attack on the Chesapeake,
soon after the commencement of the present
Session: though that reparation was no more
than patch upon single wound inflicted IN
that disgraceful aifair-While lie was willing
to 90 to war unGer existing circumstances, he
should be opposed TO it merely IN defence OF
the carrying trade: He would not consent
to involve the whole nation In calamity In
support of the pretensions of a few avarieious
indiyiduals-He hoped the house would act
up to the wishes of the nation
Mr. Troup said he should endeavor to put
an end to this debate, which would be by cal
ling for the previous question, 1T those on the
other side of the house would not take part In
the discussion He said the committee OF TO
reign relations had acted with the utmost can
dor in avowipg the object for which this army
was intended, instead OF recommending pre-
parations for war first, and declaring 1t after
wards He said that it was highly important
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.. Twas positive, at the same
time, that it was too soon for this country to
go to war. He repeated, that if the debate
continued in its present shape, he should be
compelled to move for the previous question.
Mr., Randolph insisted, that what he had
stated, relative to the disagreement among
the committee of foreign relations on the sub
ject of war, was correct. He said that pro-
position was adopted in that committee au-
thorising the president to fit out all the armed
vessels belonging to the u. States, for the pur-
pose of conveying merchantmen, of recaptar-
6
sells making resistance, &C. &c On lis stat
ing to the committee that this was neither
more nor less than war, the proposition, after
some discussion, was reseinded. In this way,
the resolution recommending war to the house
was positively rejected by the committee.
Mr. Calhoun admitted that the committee
had rejected the proposition for 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.
Nr. Porter made similar explanation re
lative to what took place in the committee.
Mr. Grundy offered some additional expla-
nations, acknowledging that he himself was
In favor of immediate war, but had been over
ruled by the committee.
Mr.. Key also detailed some of the transac-
tons in the committee
Ar. Macon observed that he should much
rather have war at once, if it was to be resor-
ted to- He was as much opposed to standing
armies, in time of peace, as any man; but
they must be used in case of war; and especi-
ally as the militia could not be sent out of the
limits of the United States He proceeded to
take view of the causes which had led to
our present embarrassments.- should sup
port war entered into in defence of our right
to carry our own produce; but he should OPP
pose war undertaken to encourage manu-
features, or that might tend to fasten any sys-
tenn upon us which we never could get rid of
lie acknowledged that we had no Washington
now; such men did not often appear; perhaps
there had not been such one since the DAYS
OF Joshua; but he believed, with the eXeep-
ton OF the commander in chief we had bet
ter chance of selecting good officers now, than
we had at the commencement OF the Ievolu-
uon.--iie saw no propriety in hurrying the
decision OF this question ION agreeing to the
resolution J he wished to give every 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
1t would have been useless he had as high an
opinion of the virtue of the nation as any man
but experience had long ago convinced him
that Congress could not keep secret. Mr..
Foster would know what they were delibe-
rating about as well as any person.
AS soon as Dir. Macon concluded the house
adjourned IS o'clock.)
December Is.
Mr. Btackledge offered the following reso-
luton; Resolved, That the president of the
U. States be requested to cause to be prepar-
ed & laid before this house, digest ofthe sys-
tenn of rules and regulations by which the re-
gnlar troops Of the y. States are trained and
disciplined. MIR. b. stated his object to be,
generally, that the militia might be trained
and disciplined in the same way as the regu-
lar army, in case of war In order to give