Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-05-01

had recommended this measure.
Mr.. Randolph said, no was so impressed
with the importance of the subject aud the
solemnity Of the occasion, that he could not
be silent. Sir, said Mr.. II. we are now in con-
clave 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 IN.
on u. He knows the spirit of our minds.
Shall we deliberate upon this subject with the
| spirit Of sobriety and candor, or with that spi-
rit which has too often Characterised our d.
cussions upon occasions like the present? W.
ought to realise that we are in the presence or
that God who knows our thoughts and mo-
| tives, and to whom we must hereafter render
an account for the deeds done in the body
He hoped the spirit of party and every i'm
| proper passion would be exercised, that our
hearts might be "a pare and clean as fall to
the lot of human nature.
he was confident in declaring that this was
NOT a measure of the erecuti it was
engendered by an extensive excitement upon
the executive. lie agreed with the gentleman
from Pennsylvania tMr. Seybert) that il Gomez
to us in a Questionable shape, or rather in am
unqasstioaaMe shaps--Whose ever mea-
sure it is, the people of the United States will
consider it as q subtcrfuge for war; as a re-
treat from tho battle. We some years ago
resolved that we must have par, embargo or
submission-Wc have not had war or sub.
mitted-we must therefore have embargo.
1t appears to be limited to sixty days and a.
the expiration of that time, will any one say
we shall be prepared for WARP Sir, we are
in the situation of a debtor who promises to
pay his note at the bank in sixty days-we
shall prolong the time sixty days, aAd sixty
days after that, until deferred hope makes the
heart sick. lie would tell the honorable
speaker. that at the end of sixty days we shall
not have war, and the reasonis, the executive
dare not plunge the nation into . war in our
unprepared state.
He had too much reliance on his wisdom
and virtue. to believe that he would be guilty
of such gross and unparalleled treason. Mark
my word, you will renew your note, if en-.
dorsers can be had; you cannot take it up.
The hon. speaker was mistaken, when he
says the message is for war-It is the effect
of excitement occasioned by ministerial. fs.
deral and neutral papers, and 10 not tho
wish or meaning of the executive.
He would appeal to the sobriety and refcc-
ton of the house, and ask, what mem cause
of war for the last twelve months? What neou
cause of embargo within that period ? Tho
affair of the Chesapeake is settlcd-No new
principle of blockade interpolatcd into the
laws Of nations. He should suppose every
man of candor and sober reflection would ask
why we did not go to war twelve months ago 2
Or will it be said we ought to make up, by
our promptncss now. for our slowness them
Or will it be said, that if the wheat for
which I'VE have received two dollars per BUSH
ell. had been rotting in our barns, we should
have been richer or happier.
What would the planter say, if you was to
ask him which he would prefer, the honora-
BILE, chivalrous course advocated by the Spea-
ker-with the consequences which will at
tend it, the sheriff at his back and the excise
collector pressing him. He would laugh in
your face.
If an embargo twelve months ago would
have been folly and ruinous, he would request
any gentleman to say, what makes it wise
nowP
1t Is not generally wise to dive into ~futurity;
but it is wise to profit by experience, although
it may be unpleasant. He felt much concern
ed to have the bill on the table one hour. No
one can tell the great injury to the mill owner
or the merchant by the mere mention of an
embargo in this house. 1t being limited to
only sixty days, it can do no possible good to
the public, or be the means Of bringing our
property from abroad but as occasioning
great speculations, it will be ruinous to many
and give great fortunes to a few.
% Mr.. Randolph declared to his certain
knowledge, that the FRENCH MINISTER
N. Serrurier, ever since his arrival here, had
been PRESSING OUR GOVERNMENT
TO PROHIBIT THE EXPLOITATION OF
OUR PRODUCTS TO SPAIN AND POR-
TUGAL, which the government have here
tofore eluded. And is this the way which the
honorable speaker, with so much gallantry
has advocated an honorable war-to ROB our
own people, to crafty the malignant ambi-
ton OF the imperial tyrant in subduing tho