Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-05-08

II WOulu nOt csscHlldll1 dhCtt btC PVPNioNtoh
or resources of the union at large. As to the
prepared state of the country, he said, In case
of a declaration of war, the president would
not feel himself bound to take upon himself
more than his share of the responsibility. Mr..
M. said, the unprepared state of the country
was the only reason why Interior measures
should be deferred.
Mr.. Randolph then said, that the step we
are about taking is too high a price to pay for
the consistency of gentlemen, who think they
have gone too far to recede it is too expen-
sive to bolster them up in this way. He ask
ed, what will be the situation of this people in
sixty daysp Pot your note into the bank.
and see how soon It will be out. What will
be the condition of this unhappy, misguided
country? What would it have been for 90,
100, or sos days pastP He had hoped not to
have seen the old story of the dog worrying
the cat, &c. realized. Are the majority in
consequence of having been goaded by the
presses, to plunge the people into a war, by
bringing them first to the whipping post, and
then by exciting their spirit. He would as
sure the house the spirit of the people is not
up to it at this time if SO, there would be no
necessity of these provocations to excite this
false spirit-this kind of Dutch courage-lf
you mean war, if the spirit of the country is
up toit, why have you been spending 5 months
in idle debate.
The Speaker (Mr. Clay called Mr.. Ran
dolph to order, for charging the house with
spending 5 months in idle debate.
The Chairman decided that the expression
was not out Of order.
Mr.. Wright appealed.
The decision of the chairman was confirmed
ayes so, noes 40.
Mr.. Randolph proceeded, and said he would
inform gentlemen in this house, that he had
known gentlemen not inferior in gallantry, in
wisdom, in experience, in the talents of a
statesman to any upon this floor, who have
been consigned to oblivion for advocating a
war against the public sentiment. Did we not
then say to those gentlemen, the war they ad-
vocated was against the public sentiment
In two years from this time, the people will
tell you that you rated your consistency at
more than it was worth, more than we are
willing to pay for-that your disgrace is not
our disgrace.
What said the people to the projected war
twelve years ago? That they would not pay
their money and sacrifice their property for
your consistency.
LII 1t would not discover a want of decorum,
he would ask what has become of the licence
bill against trading under licenses to France,
a measure which was recommended in the
Presidents message at the beginning of the
session.? He said he understood the ship Han
nloal, which was lately captured by the Bri-
tlsh, sailed under one of those licences. He
does not mean to palliate that capture but is
1t strange that Great Britain should capture
our vessels, when we have notified her that
we are about invading her terra ,tfrmd. He
believed the way war will happen, if it does
happen, will be by Great Britain attacking
and perhaps destroying some OF our seaports,
which it is calculated will render it popular in
this country. The plan is now to lay an en-
bargo-and the reason is, we have had one,
and it has failed. This appears to him to be
a non SeqHetar.
Messrs. Grundy ard Calhoun said they were
not impressed with a recollection of the facts
which occurred before the committee of TO-
reign relations, in the same manner as had
been stated by Mr.. Randolph. They did not
~recolleet that Mr.. Monroe said the embargo
would leave the policy, as respects both bel
ligerents, in our hands.
MIR. Porter said he was in favor of an EN-
barge, as a measure which ought to precede
war; but it is very important that we should be
prepared before we commence the war. He
did not believe it was possible to commence it
with safety within fsur months from this time.
Such a measure as an embargo would be of
immense injury to the state of New-York, on
account of their -four which had not gone to
market.
The committee rose and reported the bill
without amendment, and the question was,
shall it be engrossed for a third reading?
Mr.. Quincy then moved that the injunction
of secrecy be taken off from our proceedings.
Mr.. Pitkin said there was but one precedent
of an embargo being passed with closed doors
The ayes and noes were agreed to be taken
on MIR. Quincy's motion.
Mr.. Wright then made a question OF order