The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-04-21

reported for The Philadelphia Register. b,
Mr.. Sturges, "a federal member of the hons;
trcn the state Of Connecticut. The bonora
Die gentlemen, his constituents should b,
apprized,, has been for two or three, years
past acting in the twofold capacity of stcno
| grapher and member of the national leris,a.
| ture. lie reports for the New York Com
mercial Advertiser and for Jackson's Re.
CUSTER. The sketch which he has furnished
OF the debate in conoi;ve can be considered
| only as an imperfect outline. Bait. I'm
From the Political e Commercial Register
1--WE have been favoured by n friend n,
Washington, member Of congress, with
the following sketch OF the debate on the
Embargo message.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WEDEEs oAY april /.
llr. Forfer, chairman Of the committee
OF foreign relations. moved that the message
sc referred TO said committee, which was
agreed to. TWAS then observed bv Mr.. p.
that the committee had been informed that
such message would be received from the
president on that day, and that they were
ready toreport bill for laying an embargo
but they wished TO retire first for short
time. Mr.. Porter very soon after returned
to the house, and asked leave to introduce
the bill, which was granted, and read the
hrst and second time, after which it was
committed to committee of the whole house,
and made the order of the day for this day.
The house resolved itself into committee,
IT the whole on the same, Mr.. Ba$aett in the
chair, The bill was read through by the
chairman. sd z.
M. Bovd then moved to amend it by
striking outof the first section 90 DAYS, & in
sert 100 days. He said gentleman declar
ca the measure to be a precursor to war
nc time will be much too short fer the great
amount OF American property now abroad,
TO return the motion was negatived.
Mr.. Sey6ert viewed the subject as of vast
Importance, he considered that the PROPOSE
ton came to the house in very ouestiona-
Die shape; he wanted information, and he
called upon the committee of foreign rela-
tons to say whether it is to be considered as
peace measure or precursor TO war! -,
Is1r. Grundy Zone of the comnittce) said
ne was willing to answer the very proper
enquiry OF the gentlema from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Seybert y 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
Inlttee have agreed to it. He hoped the gen
tistied, and prepare his mind to vote for it,
SIR. 6N'hee objected to the last section, on
w,.,s.. AZ :. tt, nena:iie which il proposed,
as 1t is to be precursor to war, it beng
merely precautionary, and for a short time.
He made some other enquiries respecting
the section, and why such provisions we're
in it. sit
Mr.. Porter said the bill was drafted ac-
cording to the wishes and directions of the
of the treasury.
Mr.. StO7v (of New York; said the subject
before the committee ought to be considered
OF very great Importance. If, as some gen.
tiemen say, 1t is a precursor to war, there
were some very serious questions to be asked
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 in New
York, which are unnamed and unarmed
lie said this fact appeared by a letter now
IN possession OF 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 Sec
tiou OF the bin be strlckcn CIT. 80
Mr. Clay, the Speaker, then warmly ex-
pressed his satisfaction ard full appreciation
OF the message, and the proposition now be-
tore tie committee. lie approved Of it, be-
cause II is TO be viewed rs a direct precursor
to war. He did not wish upon this oc casion
to hear OF the opinion of Brockholst Livings
ton or any other man. No gentleman can
question the propriety of the proposition.
Gentlemen who said so much about the want
or preparation are not for war. He consi-
dered this as war measure, ard as such lie
should discOss It. S;i', said Mr.. Ciay, after
the pledges we have made, and the stand
we have taken, are we now TO cover our
selves with shame ard indelible. disgrace by
retreating from the measures and ground VIC
have taken ?---Hc then stated our measures
our .pledgeS, and the great injuries and a.
buses we have received. He said what
would disgrace an individual under certain
circumstances, would disgrace nation
And what would YOU think of one individual
who had thus conducted To another, and
should then retreat EIe did not think we
were upon this occasion in the least embar-
raised by the conduct of France in burning
our vessels--that may be subject of future
coDsideration.--W have complete evil
dence as TO the enemy whom VIC have select
ed. As weak and imbecile as we are, he
would combine France if necessary. He SAID
there was no intrinsic difficulty or terror IN
the war; there was no terror except what
arises from the novelty. Where are we to
come in contact with our ebemy! On our
own continent. IF gentlemen pleased to call
these sentiments Quixotic, he would say ne
piiied them for their sense Of honor We
know no pains have been spared to vilify the
government. h We now proceed, we Shall
be supported by the people. Many Of orr