Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-04-16
From tie Political Register.
SKETCH OF THE DEBATE Il

Jor laying an EMDAnSdo---SoN : w. ~ =
Mr.. Clay(t Speaker) said the gentleman
from VIRGINIA need not have reminded us IN
the manner he has of that Being who watches
and surrounds US
He thought from this sentiment we ought
TO draw very different conclusions than what
the gentleman had--lt ought to influence us
to that patriotism. to that spirit and display
of those qualifications which are SO honorable
TO the human character. The gentleman asks,
what NEW cause of war He would ask, what
old cause of war is unavenged? He agreed
the affair of the Chesapeake is setted--but
why to parayze the spirit OF the country.
Has G.. Britain abstained from impresslng.
our seamen-from depredating upon our pro-
perty? He had in his hands paper giving
an account of the capture OF the ship Hannl-
bal, worth, with the cargo, S 100000, short
time since, and near our coast, on voyage
TO France. He had no doubt but the late In
dian war on the Wabash, was excited by the
British-and what is to he thought OF the e.
missary who was sent to one OF our principal
cities, to excite civil war Is not this cause
of war? We have complete proof that she
will do every thing to destroy us--our resolu-
tionIand spirit are our only dependence. Altho'
he felt warm, he prided himself upon his feel
ings, and should despise himself if he was
destitute of them. The gentleman says,
there is no cause of war
Mr.. Randolph said he had never asserted
there was NO cause of war, but that there was
no NEW cause OF war
Mr.. Clay said those who voted for the for
mer embargo, are bound now to vote for war.
1t ought to have succeeded the termination OF
that measure, which would have been the true
policy. He said he was at issue with the
gentleman as to the public sentiment-That
it is with us, is proved by the glowing and pa
triotic resolutions of fourteen legislatures
He said there were no divisions in the South
ern and Western states-Federalists and Re-
publicans were united for war.
Mr. Boyd, of New-Jersey, said, while he
admired the fire and spirit OF the honorable
Speaker, he thought we should do well to be
considerable. He asked, whether we are pre-
pared to assail our enemyy or repel her at
tacks? He asked, whether II is wise In an
unarmed nation, as we are, to commence
hostilities against one so completely prepar-
ed
Mr.. Randolph then said he wished to state
to the committee detail of what happened
before the committee of foreign relations, in
a conference with MIR. Monroe.
Mr.. Widgery objected to it, as not in order,
and the Chairman said he tho ught it irrelev-
want.
Mr.. Randolph said his object was to show
that the proposition for this measure original
ly came from that committee, and was not
intended asa war measure. He thought it
relevant, as it was competent to show that the
ideas of the Speaker are wrong.
The motion to strike out the first section
was lost-ayes IS, noes 20.
Mr.. Seybert said, that in voting for the
several important measures which congress
have agreed to this session, he felt himself
pledged to GO to war that he was in favor
of an embargo as precautionary measure &
precursor to war. When we voted for the
$4,000 men, he supposed The executive in
tended war-but he has now such informa-
ton from friend in whom he confdes, as
leads him TO believe that offensive operations
are not meant. We ought to be better pre-
pared before we engage in a war, He had
observed in the Baltimore papers, that the
British have ordered squadron, and 10000
men for our coast.
Mr.. Smile expressed his surprise at the
observations of his friend and colleague: He
did not know from what quarter he had OBJ
tanned his information, that the president does
not mean war. Docs he believe he has all
this time been deceiying the Legislature ! He
had heard but one sentiment from the presi-
dent, which is, that zve must make qvar unless
C. Britain relents. The President had al
WAYS supposed that embargo must precede
war-The only difference has been as to the
time. which has been finally compromised.
The embargo is intended as war measure.
He would assure his colleague it was intend
ed by both the executive and the committee
of foreign Relationships being now up, he
would observe, that at the beginning of the
session, he was not so warm for war as many