Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-06-25


money-and carrying his jealousy further
than in the case of the Presidents procla-
mation (Which he would not believe until it's
terms were ful6llcd) he requires to be paid
in hand before he will name his equivalent.
In the celebrated case of insult by impli-
cation, or insinuation, offered by Mr.. Jack
sen, there existed in the archives of the
country, monument (such as it was) of
the sensibility OF this House to that insult.
III under such circumstances. without hav-
Ing received any shadow of indemnity for
the past, or security for the future--if in
deed Security could be given by the French
Comprehensive United States become virtu-
Slly a.party to the war IN his behalf, it must
confirm beyond the possibility of doubt every
sui.mise that has gone abroad howevergross,
howeverinjurioas to the honor or the interests
OF this government-that there exists in our
councils an undue, fatal French bias. After
the declarations of official men, after the
language uttered OF this floor, if the United
States become parties to the war with
France against her rival it must establish as
clearly as the existence of the sun above US
this event has not happened, and God for
bid it should-but if it does, the conclusion
will be irresistible, and this government will
stand branded to the latest posterty, (unless
OF human liberty) as the panders of French
despotism-as the tools, the miniens, syco-
plants, parasites of France. 1t was to Sc
cure the country from this approbrum, that
the proposition was about to be submitted
This is not like a war for Spanish sue
cession or Dutch barrier, for the right of
cutting logwood on a desart coast, or fishing
in the Polar sea. 1t is war uneXampled in
the history of mankind-a war-separated
as we are from the theatre of it by wide
ocean-from which it bchoves us to stand
aloof--to set our backs to the wall, and a
wait the coming of the enemr-instead of
rushing out at midnight in search of the dis
tuTbers of our rest, when a thousand dag
gers are pointed at our bosoms. But it is
said we must fight for Commerce. war
for commerce deprecated by all the com
mercial portion of our country, by New
England and New-York, the great holders
of our navigation and capital
Mr.. CALHOUN rising and signifying his
intention to make a question of order, Mr..
Randolph took his seat.
Mr.. Calhoun then said the question of war
was not before the country; it was not be-
fore the House; and the gentleman was
therefore speaking, as he conceived, contra
ry to rule, and without affording to others
1t was decided from the Speakers chair
(then filled by Mr.. Bibb, the Speaker hav-
ing casually vacated it for moment) that
the objection was not valid, as the gentle
man from Virginia had announced his in.
tention to make a motion, and it had been
usual In such cases to permit a wide range
of debate.
Mr.. RANDOLPH thanked the gentleman
from South Carolina for the respite which
he had unintentionally given him, and which
IN his exhausted situation was highly CRATE
ful. This war for commercial rights is to
be waged against the express wish (consti-
tutionally pronounced, spoken in language
which cannot be misunderstood of the great
commercial section of the United States-a
war which must cut up commerce by the
roots, which in its operation must necessa-
rily drive population and capital beyond the
mountains
Mr. CALHOUN again rose.-As the gen.
tlcRlan had expressed his satisfaction at the
rest afforded him by the former call to or
der, he would give him another opportunity
TO rest himself. Ee asked that the gentle
man from Virginia should submit to the
chair the proposition he intended to make,
that the House might judge of the correct.
ness OF the course he took. If the course
now taken were parliamentary, if the prac-
tice now attempted were permitted to sue
coed, it would be in the power of any mem
Der at any time to embarrasss the proceed
ings of the House.
The SPEAKER (who had resbmed the
chair) said, that unquestionabiy in the OPT
MON of the chair, the proposition might be
required to be submitted in writing, because
it was made the duty of the chair to require
ff 81.
floor to the subject debated and this duty
certainly could not be performed unless the
chair was appraised Of the terms Of the pro-
position.
Me- CALHOUN. I then call upon the gen
tleman to submit his proposition.
Mr. RANDOLPH. The gentleman has nc
right to cali upon me; you, Mr.. Speaker
unquestonabIy have. My proposition is one
respecting Our relations with the two great
belligerents, and goes to affect the question
of peace or war. Whilst up, sir, permit ms
TO observe, that if were wide of the mark
Knight have been permitted to 60 on
The SPEAKER. The gentleman vii
please TO take his SCAT, the chair having de.
cided that his motion must be submitted be.
fore further debate.
Mr.. RANDOLPH said he had not under
stood the Speaker as making any such deci-
sion.
The SREAEER said he certainly had Sc
decided.
Mr.. RANDOLPH. My proposition is, that
it is not eXpedent at this time to resort to
war against Great Britain.
The SPEARKR. Is the motion seconded
Mr.. Randolph, or some other gentleman
expressed his surprise that second in such
a case should be required.
TheSPEAKER said he conceived that eve
ry motion must receive n second before +,
could be announced from the chair. He