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

one Of those who had clamored against 49,
was called the French quasi war in 'es-e hu.
be asserted THAT that war was more iusti6sbl.
than the one now proposed to be Commenced
The French DEGREES, which were mace n
groundwork of that war, were in every 70,
pes destructive TO our commerce then !,
the British orders in council were now n
did lie believe that the attack on the Ches,
peake was more degrading to this nation. tina.
the insults heaped upon our ambassadors hv
the French Directory, extending even to IL.
demand of tribute. lie was opposed to VA,
then, and was opposed to it now. With l..
gard to the impressment of seamen, it We,
certain that Gen. Washington, who felt !.
much for the sufferings o. his fellow citize,,
as any man now living, did not think that /,
sufficient cause of war--ln fact the peoplA ~
this country were disposed to remain in peace
MIR jefferson knew this and it was for th;.
reason that he had delayed to call Conpres.
together soon after the affair of the Cgesa.
peake, when it was evident that all partie.
would unite in avenging that most CALLING 81
all insults He had always respected Mr.
jefferson but he respected him the more ,or
his prudence on that occasion. How then.
said Mr.. s. can it be true las stated by somel
that this was the accepted time for war with
G. b. at the very moment when that worst Of
all our grievances had been amicably settlsd
between the two nations? Mr.. S. referred to
the doctrines held forth by the present ruling
party while in the minority e98--9) He sad
they were not ashamed at that time to enter
into calculations as DO the expence of war
He did not pretend that we had not lustiial u
causes of war ; but a nation which should 90
to war for every insult received. would be IN
volved in eternal war. He she not vote
for single regular soldier, especially as tho
committee of Foreign Relations had declared
their intention to pursue warlike measures,
and the avowed purpose of this army was to
make foreign conquests. This might be az
complished; but where was the certainty thai
our object would be thus attained We
might have to negotiate for it at last Hs
was determined to oppose every measure cal
culated to change the present pacific charas.
ter of the country, by raising armies and ma
vles, and involving the nation in incalculabls
expence, loss, calamity and bloodshed.
Nr Findtay said the true questions before
the house was, whether we were prepared to
60 to war, and whether the crisis had arrived
for undertaking it His own opinion in bots
instances, was in the affirmative.
Mr.. King also supported the Resolutions.
hc tHhc difiNcO, wien we must elLhef
fight or submit With respect to what had
been said as to the dangers to be apprehend-
ed from the black population of the Southern
states, in case of war 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 regretted
that such population existed in those statea
He sincerely wished some second Moses would
lead them to more favored cline lie for
one should not expose himself to the danger
of being overwhelmed by the waves He was
in favor oftaking Canada /; not for the pur.
pose of extending our territory, but to wound
Great Britain in her most vulnerable part.
for the'many wrongs she had inflicted upon
us, by impressing our seamen and coniiscat-
ing our property-He considered that Tiers
was no force in the argument that because the
majority were opposed to war with France
in $50 they ought not to go to war now.
The Speaker expressed his regret that in
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.
Nh, Nelson said he should not consider
himself in voting for this resolution, as pedg
ed to support any Interior measures In max
ing this declaration, he might be regarded as
abandoning his republican frenos /; but he
should pursue the dictates Of his own judg,
ment, and the interests of his constituents.
uninfluenced by denunciations from any quar-
ter whatever-f he could be convinced that
a war would accomplish the objects for which
twas proposed to be commenced, he should
support it but as il cia rot appear tilat sot-a
would be the result, he could not. TIE effect
ola war would be, to convert our seamen,
heretofore engaged in honorable commerce,
into ROBBERS and plunderers. 1t would per
haps draw us into an alliance with Imperial
France, in whose fraternal embrace our llber-
ties might perish. Should we succeed in con
quering Canada, it was by no means certain