Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-05-22
DEBATE
In the House Of Representatives Of the U
States IN Secret Session.
DEBATE
CONCLUDED.

lCoNCLUDBDJ
Mr.. Randolph said, he had no inclination
to take up the time of the house unnecessarily,
but he felt himself constrained to make a mo
ton, which he thought would be the last he
should submit on this subject. He wished a
short time to be allowed to his constituents,
TO prepare for this measure, which had been
brought forward so Unexpectedly to the coun-
try and he would, therefore, move that the
farther consideration of the bill be postponed
until Monday. A few days might be sufficient
TO enable his people to meet the embargo,
and he was willing to accept the shortest pos
sible time.
M. Porter said, he had been against the
embargo at the present time, and was the
other day In favor OF a postponement he vo-
ted against the engrossment, but finally voted
in favor upon the passage OF the bill, and he
should now vote in favor of the present mo-
ton.
Mr.. Emott said, that he felt friendly to the
motion ofthe gentleman from Virginia, but
that he could not vote for it until he had
made a motion which would for a time at
least supercede the proposition for a postpone
ment until Monday. The gentleman from
Virginia had grounded his motion on the ne
c~essities and situation of his constituents
Now it so happens said Mr.. Emott. that so
short a respite will afford no relief to my i'm
mediate constituents. who are to suffer great
ly by this embargo, if it is, without further
notice or delay, to be fixed on the nation. A
sense of duty, therefore. would compel him to
move that the bill be postponed for a month
lie represented a large and fertile district,
whose principal export was bread stuffs, and
the quantity now on hand was unusually
large the climate and the season had de
priyed his part of the country OF a market un-
Ill this time, and if now an embargo is laid, it
Is evident that it must be attended with the
most ruinous consequences. The wound
which the measure would give to the farming
and trading interest would be of the most
deadly kind, and his feeling would not permit
him to suffer the bill to pass without an effort.
he was apprehensiye, an unavailing effort, to
save his friends and constituents from SO hea-
Wy and so unlocked for a blow.
While he was up. Mr., Emott said, that he
would beg the indulgence of the house while
he submitted a few observations. He was
sensible that gentlemen had become extreme
lyimpatient, and he could not but recollect
the determination which had been openly a
vowed by the friends of the measure, that the
bill should be passed before an adjournment !;
NN' ~ OuSit W Dc COiisluStcu, lldt Tic step
We are now about taking is of vital impor-
lance to the nation, and may compromit the
best interests of the country 1t is due to the
people we represent, and to ourselves, that
We should not hastily, and from passion, a
dopt the measure. Discussion instead of be-
ing hunted dow should be coufted. What
ever is done let it be done after due delibera-
hon, and upon a view ofthe whole ground.
The active support given to the bill by his
colleague, DIR. Mitchill, seemed to call upon
The New-York delegation hostile to it for an
opposition equally open and active. Gentle
IneR might otherwise be led to believe, that
we measure, ii not altogether agreeable to
me great mass ofour population, viii not be
iard or oppressive, and that the motives of
me opposition is only to be found in conside-
facons of party. He protested against any
S.ch inference, as he did against the opinions
Vt ms colleague, as coinciding with those of
me country at large.
II was not his intention, on this occasion,
u discuss the subject of war with lis causes
ana consequences. Whenever that impor-
,@ht subject was brought fairly before the
mouse, he would be ready to submit the re-
sot OF his reflections, and he hoped he would
pe permitted to do it, without, as at present,
'ei eng excluded from the eyes of the people
anu The light of heaven. Whatever his opin-
,pnS might be, he was willing and anxious
mat us reasons should 60 with them. He