Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-04-16

MIR. Basset (chairnan) considered 1t IN or
der.
Mr.. Calhoun appealed.
The chairman's decision was confirmed,
ayes 90.
Mr.. Randolph said, it will appear that the
embargo is not preparatory to war, that IS to
say, it was not necessarily SO, * of course not
Of the character which the Speaker has con-
sidered it. From his minutes (among other
facts) it appeared, that Mr.. Monroe said to the
committee, that the president thought we
ought to declare war before we adjourn, I'M
less Great Britain recedes, OF which there was
no prospect-That there was conversation a
bout an embargo. Mr.. Monroe was asked by
some of the committee, whether the President
would recommend it by message, ne answer
ed that he would, if he could be assured II
would be acceptable to the house. He also
said, Mr.. Barlow had been instructed to re-
present to the French government our sense
of the injuries received, and to press upon
them our demands for reparation--that if she
refused US Justice, the embargo would leave
the policy as respects France, and indeed Of
both countries, in our hands. He was asked
if any essential alterations would be made
within co days, in the defence of our mari
time seaports? Mr.. NJ. answered, that pref
ty considerable preparations would be made,
He said, New York was now in respectable
state of defence, but not such as to resist a
formidable feet---but, that it was not expected
that SUI i kind of war would be carried on.
1t was replied, that We must expect what
commonly happens IN wars Mr.. NJ said,
that although great distress and injury might
take place in one part of the union, it would
not essentially affect the population or re-
sources of the Union at large. AS 70 the pre-
pared state Of the country, he said, In case OF
a declaration of war, the president would not
feel himself bound to take upon himself more
than his share of the responsibility. Mr. NJ.
said, the unprepared state of the country was
the ONLY reason why Interior measures should
be deferred
Mr. Randolph then said, that the step we
are about taking is too high price to pay for
the consistency of gentlemen, who think they
have gone too far to recede it is too expen.
siye to bolster them up in this way. He asked
what will be the situation of this people In
sixty days? Put your note into the bank, and
see how soon it will be out. What will be
the condition Of this unhappy, misguided
country? What would it have been for 90,
l2e, or 3e5 days past? He had hoped not to
have seen the old story of the dog worrying
the cat, &C. realized. Are thers'nj eritp, In
consequence of having been goaded by the
presses, to plnnge the people into war by
bringing them first to the whipping post and
then by exciting their spirit. He would as
sure the house the spirit OF the people IS not
up to it at this time if so, there would be
no necessity Of these provocations to excite
his false spirit-this kind of Dutch courage
If you mean war, if the spirit of the country
is up to it, why have you been spending live
months in idle debate.
The Speaker (Mr. Clay) called Mr.. Ran
dolph to ORDER for charging the house with
spending FIVE months In idle debate
The chairman decided that the expression
was not out Of order.
Mr. Wright appealed.
The decision of the chairman was confirm
ed-ayes so, noes 49,
Mr.. Randolph proceeded, and said he would
inform gentlemen i'll this house, that he had
known gentlemen not inferior in gallantry,
in wisdom, in experience, in the ta-
Tents of statesman, 10 any upon this floor,
who have been consigned to oblivion for adj
vocating war against the public sentiment
Did we not then say to those gentlemen, the
war they advocated was against the public
sentiment!
In two years from this time, the people
will tell you that you rated your consistency at
more than it was worth, more than we are
willing to pay for it--that your disgrace is not
our disgrace.
What said the people to the projected war
twelve years ago! They would not pay their
money and sacrifice their property for your
consistency.
If it would not discover want of decorum,
he would ask what has become of the licence
bill against trading under licences to France,
a measure which was recommended In the
presidents message at the beginning OF the