The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-05-19


learned the sentiments OF Others by a sim
gle member For myself, can say, that
L feel an entire aversion to such 4 system,
with view to coercc both OF either of the
beihgerents to respect our rights. 1t has
been tried, the experiment has failed to pro-
duce the desired effect; we ought not long
err TO rely ON IT, but take the only stronger
measure that remains. voted for the En-
barge, as so believe majority of Congress
did, AS fair warning to commercial men,
that war was to follow ito enable them
to secure their property from the grasp of
the enemy, and to restrain any further ad-
ventures under the delusive expectation of
peace This, sir, is comfortable to the long
established usage of all wise nations and
had Congress declared war, without such a
Precadtion, it would have brought on us the
merited censure OF every enlightened citi-
zen.
i, But, sir, we are exultingly told, that the
loan required by the government to nrose.
cute the war, has failed. This to certain
extent, L admit but it has not failed to
such degree, as to impede our progress 1t
is a fact much to be lamcnted, that there
exists IN this country an organised opposition
to the constituted authorities, whose influ-
ence is seen and felt on this floor. and
whenever all appeal is made to the patrio-
tism OF the people, its effects are transfused
from one extremity of the u. S. to the other.
for the purpose of defeating the measures.
which are adopted to maintain the honor of
the nation. Yes, sir, every exertion has
oeen made to weaken the arm of the go
vernment, by means the most disgraceful.-
l he people have been admonished to with
hold their resources from us, i'm an hour of
great public difficulty and danger. Sir, on
the eve OF war with foreign power, it is
surely no subject of congratuation, to see
set OF men combining together to weaken
their own country, and thereby indirectly
give an advantage to the enemy. Sir. T
venture to predict, that if warts once be-
gun, the difficulties which now present
themselves to this proposed loan will vanish.
he distinction of Federalists and Rcpubli-
cans will cease the united energies of the
people will be brought into action the en-
qpiry will be, are you fol- your Country or "a
gainst it ;
:. The gentleman from Virginia said, that
ne came doEv' TO the House to day, to adj
wise US to treat this petition respectfully
Dir, had the gentleman nor come do7v,l to the
House, we should not, have treated this or
any other petition with disrespect. The ne
titioners ask for that which cannot be ora nt
ed we answer them plainly and promptly.
! is 1t not more respectful to treat them thus
| than to excite hopes and expectations which
1t is not our intention TO realise Sir. |
humbly conceive it is. To grant the Dray-
eli OF this petition, and thereby enable the
petitioners to hazard their property on the
ocean, would be to inflict Oh them a s;enal
injury l cannot believe, if these petition
ers seriously thought that war was to com
mence in less than 90 days, between G. B.
and the u. S. that they would venture their
property abroadi In the manner which seems
to be wished for. They have been induced
by total perversion OF the real intention of
the majority OF Congress, to think that such
an event was not In contemplation. 1T
time they should be undeceived.
The gentleman from VIRGINIA sunnoses
that with very few exceptions, the maio-
rity In this House are anxious to get ouf of
the Scrdfe into which they have been preci
pitated. l imagine, that gentleman did
not consult his usual accuracy of expression
when he permitted himself to empI v tbic
phraseology. Does the gentleman mean
say, that the majority would surrender theo
national rights, and tamely submit to the
wrongs and insults which have been heaped
upon us by G. Britain If so, he is in
gross error, of which 1 hope in few DAYS
to see him convinced. But, if he means,
that we are anxious to be relieved from
our present embarrassments by lust and
honorable peace, the sentiment corresponds
with the wishes of every friend to his coun-
try. Warts not desired by any one. Ne
cessity, not choice, has induced us to resort
to this last appeal of nations. There is no
prospect of an adjustment by amicable nego-
citation. Shall we then submit, or go on p
There is no diff Guilty in the decision and
trust, that every member of the majority
will do his duty without fear or trembling.
The gentleman from Virginia charges
the majority with not having courage e
nough to lay the ia Xes, and says we have
turned our backs upon them. In this, he is
also mistaken. The resolutions, reported
by the committee of ways and means, and
adopted by the House, on the subject of tax
es, made them contingent on state of ac-
tual war: Whenever that point is finally
settled, the necessary taxes will be imposed
for supporting the public credit and did
suppose that the intention of the House up
ON this subject could not be easily misundcr-
stood. In the event of war, taxes will be
indispensable; and have no doubt, the peo-
pie will cheerfully submit to them. We
have not then tsrned our backs upon the
taxes, as the gentleman may have imagin-
ed.
Permit me now, sir, to call the attention
OF the House to the subject of our secret
proceedings, while the bill laying an en-
barge was under discussion. The world
was then shut out, none but select men,
choice men OF the people, were in this hall,
and, strange to tell, mutilated, unfair and
false representation of our proceedings short
ly appeared i'll the public prints Sir, |
would use stronger terms, did not know.
that the report must have been furnished bv
some member of this House. Among other
49,.