Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-05-04

tore peace. Congress Had adopted MANY |
var measures, the execution Of which they |,
lad put into the hands of the Executive;
hey had also authorised 4 loan of eleven |
millions. And whilst these measures were
gong on, could Congress, by staving here
add to the number of men or ex-
pedite the loane If an enemy. were to in
wade rs without any government at all, they
would be promptly resisted. But if we are
gong to war to redress grievances, to re-
venge injuries received, we should chuse
our own time. If we began war before we
nave an army, it is bringing the nation to the
last state OF degradation, not to consider at
all the suferings and losses which would be
IN such case sustained. 1t would be n great
or error to attempt to put this country by a
forced vote of Congress into war. You can
not lead the Country TO war as the butcher
leads his flock to the slaughter-house This
is a government of opinion the public sen
timent will not be driven, but must be fol-
lowed. Congress have certainly done as
much tor the present as they can. wish to
see the effect OF the measures they have ia
Ken. The executive is clothed with all the
necessary powers to make preparation for
war; and II the nation will not abide by us
and support the measures of Congress, it is
war, believe the people will be better salts
he'd with a recess than with our sitting here
from Gay to day, without doing anv thing ma
tcrial, and there is nothing material at this
moment to do. They are not irrational; they
Know that Congress have been in session six
months; they must also foresee that when
we Come to war, the Council of the nation
must be perpetually in session; they will
therefore not be be dissatisfied at a short re-
cess. II war be actually to take place at the
expiration of the embargo, this of all others
is the time for relaxation.
Mr.. Worthington said he was in hopes a
silent vote would have been taken ON this
question, but as that was not permitted. he
would add a remark OF two. He was sorry
to use the gentleman's own expression. that
he had not such bride to offer the gentle
man from Tennessee (Mr. CampbelN as
would induce him to vote for this resolution.
lie said he had believed that if the shortest
day proposed should be taken, the effect
would be this: 1t could not be expected that
those gentlemen VINO had been or months
from their homes and families should re-
man IN this city; if they went home, many
OF them could not possibly return i'm twenty
Gays; there would ON the appointed day be
no quorum in either House and they would
have "a adjourn from day to day. until .
sufficient number appeared When they
spoke OF the pObic interest, gentlemen should
tock at actions, not at professions. Mr.. w
sad he looked at human nature as he found
II apd considering, as regarded himself,
that ten days at home would be of infinite
advantage to his private Concerns, taking II
Ior granted that all gentlemen had the same
feeings and regards as himself, he thought il
duty he owed to himself and others. as wen
as q ms Country, to vote for a recess. He
Deleved much greater injury would result
from sitting here than from a recess He
believed liz a day or two there Womb
scarceiybe quorum of the two Houses left.
Dio gentlemen mean to take any great mea-
sure with bare quorum Of both Houses !,
he presumed they would not. Therefore In
ms opinion 1t would be very proper 70 take
such time as would suit the greater number
OF members ofboth houses. But if that could
not be attained, Mr.. Worthington said he
would still vote fora recess fJr although he
conld not avail himself of the opportunity to
g. nome, he would not prevent. others who
might
The question on the insertion of the sth
aag V'n7e as the day Of re-assembling of
inc two Houses, was decided as follows:
fEAo-Messrs. Bradley, Condit, Craw-
ford. Dana, German, Gilman. Goodr;ch
Gregg, fiorsey, Hunter, Lambert, Llovd
Pcne, Reed, Robinson, Smith of n. &. Tur,
ner, Worthngton--1S.
= NAYS:-Messrs. Anderson, Bib, Brent,
campbell of Ten. Cuts, Gaillard. Giles
Howell, Leib, Smith of Md. TAFT Tauior'
Varnum-1S -o''
30 the motion was carried.
The Question being put on the passage of
the resolution as amended
MT. blbb said it was painful for him IN
speak on tnls question, when he believed a
majority OF the Senate were determined OH
"h aoJournmeht; but he entreated gentle
IA 20 weigh wei! what they we're about.
ne saiti ne could not but reprobate the mode
OF arguing question for adjournment from
mouVes OF Comfort or family interest of
personal convenience alone, without refer
encc to public interest. TMr. Worth,ncto,,
disclaimed any such argument. as annesred
to be attributed to him.1 If any man sho,,ld
give vote for adjournment from motives of
that kind, he should reprobate such conduct
DO tar as gentlemen believed the public inte-
rest would not suffer from such a course
there would indeed be no impropriety in suf
Ierlng personal convenience to have weight
But the question, said Mr. B. is, whether our
aHalrS are IN such a situation as would II,
common regard to- prudence, permit MS tn
depart. What is our situations We have
made preparation for war, by authorisinp the
raising an army. Is that army organ;2rdS
Are the 9fficers all appointedl NJ. mt
1T to gentlemen whether, from the specimen
already had of bills and supplemental hills
we may not expect other supplemental bills
Can Congress reconcile it to their conscien.
ces to leaveth eseatof government, when thew
see that our army is not organized, when
proposition TOR appointing assistant sccre,a-
.rles to the War Department, and mnch
other detailed business is before usl THE
Offices OF commissary-general and quarter
master general are yet vacant because tn, Il