Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-04-16


cunt OF American property now abroad, TO
turn; the motion was negatived.
Mr.. Scybert viewed the subject as Of vast
Importance; he considered that the propo-
ton CAME to the house in very question
BILE shape; he wanted information, and he
allied upon the committee of foreign relati-
ms to say whether it is TO be considered as a |
,eace measure or precursor to WARP
MIR. Grundy Zone of the committee) said |
ne was willing to answer the very proper ell
curry OF the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr Seybert;) that he understands it as
war measure, and it is meant that it shall
lead directly to it; that with any other view,
there can be no propriety in it as peace
measure, he had no idea the President would
have recommended it, nor would the COM
mlttee have agreed to it. He hoped the
gentleman from Pennsylvania would now
be satisfied. & prepare his mind to vote for it.
Mr. M'Kee objected to the last section, on
account of the penalties which it proposed,
which he considered altogether unimportant,
as 1t is to be precursor to war, it being
merely precautionary, and for short period.
lie made some other enquiries respecting
the section, and why such provisions were
| i'll it.
Mr.. Porter said the bill was drafted ac-
cording to the wishes and directions of the
Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr.. Stow (of New-York) said the subject
before the committee ought to be considered
OF very great importance. If, as some gen.
,men say, it is a precursor of war, there
were some very serious questions to be ask
ed-What is the situation of our fortresses :
What is the situation of our country gene
rally! He would answer, they are defence
less, particularly the Notifications of New
YORK, which are unnamed and unarmed.
lie sad this tact appeared by letter now
IN possession ola member of the house, which
has very lately been received from Judge
Livingston OF New-York. Mr.. S. said that
to try the question whether we will now lay
| an embargo, he moved that the first section
| OF the bill be stricken out.
Mr.. Clay (the Speaker) then warmly ex-
pressed his satisfaction and full appreciation
OF the message, and the proposition now be-
tore the committee he approved of it. be-
\ cause 1t is to be viewed as direct precur-
sor to war. He did not wish upon this occa-
sion to hear OF the opinion of Brockholst Lii
vingston or any other man. No gentleman
canqaestion the propriety of the proposition.
| Gentlemen who said so much about the want
or prepai atoms are not for war. He consi-
dered this as war measure, and as such he
| should discuss it. Sir, said Mr.. &. after the
pledges we have made, and the stand we
nave taken, are we now to cover ourselves
with shame and indelible disgrace by retreat
ing from the measures and ground we have
taken! He then stated our measures. our
pledges, and the great injuries and abuses
we have receiyed.-He said what would dis
| grace an individual under certain circum-
stances, would disgrace nation. And what
| would you think of one individual who had
thus conducted to another and should then
retreat. He did not think we were upon this
occasion IN the least embarrassed by the con-
Duct OF france in burning our vessels-tlat
may be subject of future consideration
| We have complete evidence as to the enc
my we have selected: as weak and imbecile
aswe are, he would combine France if neces-
sary. He said, there was 10 intrinsic diff
Guilty or terror except what arises from the
novelty. Where are we to come in contact
with our enemyf On our own continent If
lgentlemen please to call those sentiments
| quIxotic, he would say he pitied them for
their sense OF honor. We know no pains
have been spared to Willy the government.
1 Ii we now proceed, we shall be supported
by the people. Many of our people have
not believed that war is to take place. They
have been wilfully blinded. He was willing
! to give them further notice. It remains for
us to say whether we will shrink or follow
up the patriotic conduct of the President.
Asan American, and member ofthis house,
| he felt pride that the executive had recon-
| mended this mea sure.
MIR. Randolph said he was SO impressed
with the importance of the subject and the
| soiemnity of the occasion, that ne could not
be silent. SIR, said Mr.. r. we are now in
conclave; the eyes of the surrounding world
are not upon us.-We are shut up here from
the light of Heaven but the eyes of God are
upon us. He knows the spirit of our minds.
shall we deliberate upon this subject with
the spirit OF sobriety and candor, or with
| that spirit which has too often characterised
our discussions upon occasions like the pre-
sent. We ought to realise that we are in
the presence of that God who knows our
thoughts and motives, and to whom we must
hereafter render an account for the deeds
done in the body. He hoped the spirit of
party and every improper passion would be
exercised that our hearts might be as pure
and clean as fall to the lot of human ma
| turc
He was confdentin declaring that this was
not measure of the erecutiUe-that il was
engendered by az extensive excitement upon
the executive. He agreed with the gentle
man from Pennsylvania (Mr. Seybert) that
1t comes to us in questiona6te shafe, or ra-
Their in an nnqueStiouo6ie shahe--Whose-
yer measure it is, the people of the United
States will consider it as subterfuge for
war; as retreat from the battle. We
some years ago resolved that we must have
zvar, embargo, or subnisston---We have not
had war or submitted-we must therefore
Ihave embargo 1t appears to be limited to
sixty days; and at the expiration of that
time, viii any one say we shall be prepared