Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-05-12
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
nHx 1919
.Hfareh s, 1912.

Z
from number of citizens at Albany; and Mr.
Rhea. having moved to postpone the same to
the fourth day of July next
Mr.. Fisk said he hoped they would not be
nostponed. When the people suffered, they
would complain, and it was soothing to their
feelings to be answered rather than heard In
silence. There was no doubt but the embargo
operated severely In some quarters, and par
s ticularly on these people. The petition was
couched in respectful language and ne tho't
it would be we'll torefer 1t, and have a detailed
report made nit.
Mr.. Blocker. Mr.. Speaker hope the
motion of the gentleman from Tennessee Mr..
Rheal will not prevail. memorial of this
nature, couched in such respectful terms, and
from so respectable quarter, deserves to be
treated more courteously and respectfully.
For, sir, what is the answer proposed to be
Given 10 the memorialists by the gentleman
from Tennessee? They ask you to relieve
them from impending beggary and ruin; If
this motion prevails, you will tell them, "good
sirs. we will attend to your call when your beg
gary and ruin are complete" Whatever,
sir, may be thought of it in this House, to the
nlemoriaIists such an answer to their respect
full prayer will hare the appearance OF offence
and insult.
The motion of the gentleman from Tennes-
see is to postpone the consideration of the me-
mortal till the 4th day Of July next. This is
2 fat denial of the prayer of the memorialists.
The propriety and policy of continuing the
i Embargo, are of course now proper subjects
4 of discussion Why has an Embargo been
& laid It is aVowedly the precursor of war. It's
object is to keep our property, our vessels,
q and seanen at home safe from the grasp of
3 our enemy. Being the precursor of war, war
8mnst begin where the embargo ends If it
Noes not, the embargo is improper and prema-
8llure. Now sir, unless you are prepared to
I|Eo to war in less than 90 days, you cannot JUS
sEify measure which operates with such cruel
&severity on the state of New-York, and parti-
Sscularly on my Immediate constituents, who
Estate to you the immense loss they must sus-
\ Rain if il be continued. ] ask gentlemen, how
( khey will justify themselves to the memorial
kists for denying their petition. Sir, we cam
not go to war within 60 days. I mean not to
blend gentlemen, or to rouse their feelings,
But tits impossible that we can so to war at
Ehe expiration of the embargo. speak, sir,
~ f active Offensive war; such war as that IS
q wholly out of the question. This being SO, is
wise, is it just, to distress and ruin SO many
& f your people by suffering the produce which
hey pray your permission to export to moul-
er and perish in their granaries Certainly
not, sir you ought to grant their petition.
s&s here IS no escape from this argument. And
Ir, am not correct In SAYING that you are not
Prepared to go to wai What is the state of
sour Notifications? Where are your armies,
our navy? Have you money? No, sir, rely
EIson 1t there will be, there can be, no war, &C
I've offence war, within 60 days. What ever
hay be thought of it here, the people knozc
M lat we cannot 40 to war, at the expiration OF
he embargo. The petitioners do not believe
S hut you will attempt it. They think with the
N entleman from Virginia Mr.. Randolph) that
S. y the government TO go to war III our present
81 Slpreparcd state, would be little short of an
Il Of treason Thinking as do, sir, Of the
telligence and patriotism of the gentlemen
Ito are now the lords of the ascendant IN this
ouse, and respecting the intelligence and
triotism of the cabinet, cannot believe,
lat we arr to commence the war without any
the necessary means for carrying 1t on;
th0ut an army, without a naval force, with
tt money. To go TO war under such ClrcuHn-
.llces would necessarily bring upon us shame,
& grace, aud defeat. The people are unwli-
9 to believe that you are going to war inn
diately You are not prepared now, aad
before you can be prepared the produce
Inc country may be exported, and the ayails
LII brought home. The alleged policy and
kessity of an embargo, therefore, do not ex
and the meynorialists ought to be relieved
& ku may declare war at the expiration of the
# barge or sooner but v hat then, sir Rely
,n il repeat it,y0o will have no war, &C
3 ofEehsive war But, war declared, the pro-
Se OF the country that oay be fit for expor-
.on will sui be embargocd by the fear the
SIS hers viii Of course have OF the enemy's
Users that viii then hover on our coast
gentlemen viii hni II impossible to salts