The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-05-19
duced this impression. 1t is a we'll known
fact that the case is as have stated it.
LIZ GA HOLM Sn;d ii Ian,

NAK' NNA-tiOO N SAX luat tne pchtietnan
was correct in supposng that he had been
alluded to, whcnhe, (Mr c. had spoken
of the declaration made by member du-
ring the secret sitting. Whatever may
have been the source ct the gentleman's in
formation, said Mr.. G., it cannot have pro-
ceeded from higher source than mine. l
went to the highest source and received the
information that no such application, howe
Yer probable, was ever made to this 60
vcrnment think myself fully authorised
to saw that no such application was ever
made by the French Minister, or by any
person for him. directly or indirectly, offici-
ally or otherwise. do not attribute to the
gentleman the intimation of the existence
of any French influence on the acts of the
government, because, sir. l ann sure the
gentleman would attribute no such motive
TO the Executive or to majority of this
House but unfortunately such an use has
been made Of his remarks as to convey that
impression. / am therefore glad to-day to
hear the. gentleman's opinion that such
demand was resisted by our government
Misrepresentation Frequently creep into
che pubic prints, and it is well that they
should be corrected. take this opportu-
nitv TO say, that the report of the debate III
secret session, as published, is mutilated,
partial, and entirely incorrect.
:. Mr.. RANDOLPH said no doubt the gen.
tleman believed what he had said but the
source of his, (Mr. R's.) information was
such as could not have failed to have produ-
ced in him conviction eft its truth. / sta
ted, said Mr.. r.. when the embargo bill
was under consideration, that our govern
ment had been pressed by the French Min
lister here-that had such knowledge of it
as | could not doubt of-in substance to cut
off the trade between this country and the
Spanish domipions that our government
had hitherto-hitherto, in reference to the
time when spoke, resisted that pressure,
as unquestionably they must have done, be-
cause If they had not, it would have taken
place. That was the amount, believe, OF
my statement. ! differ, however, from the
gentleman from South Carolina, as to the
accuracy of the repor; of that debate-I
wish we had as good steneographers in the
boXes-for some of the speeches were re-
ported with an accuracy which astonished
me-more accurately, believe, than ] have
ever seen reported by persons who attend
here for the purpose. This observation GER
tainly does not apply to my own remarks
because teel myself in this point aggrieved
and injured.
Mr.. BLEECKER-In answer to one of
the arguments urged for the relief of my
constituents, who are now suffering under
the visitation OF their own government, by
the gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Ran
dolph,) and myself, that we are not prepa-
red for war, and Cannot go to war by the
time the embargo will expire, and that
therefore the prayer of the mernerialists
ought To be granted, it is said, by the gen
tleman from South Carolina, (Mr Calhoun
that war will be declared within 60 DAYS.
and BIZ the gentleman from Kentucky, (Mr.
Johnson) that he will vote for declaration
OF war within that time. II, sir, this be so
If gentlemen will have the hardihood to
plunge the country into a war in its present
unprepared state, without an army, without
navy, and without money, and bring upon
us the defeat and disgrace and ignominv
which must inevitably result, then will the
people, whose complaints YOU now refuse to
hear, then will the people who are to
bear the privations, suherings and caami-
ties Of the war, whose blood is to be split,
whose houses ire to blaze, whose towns are to
be demolished, speak in tone that shall,
and will, and must be heard-they will
speak in thunders that will ring the hea-
ven, from Maine to Georgia from the At
]antic to the Mississippi. ] rejoice, sir, in
the signs OF the times and | wonder that
gentlemen are not sensible that the opinion
of the people is against their measures Be-
fore many weeks shall have elapsed, | be-
lieve they will be satisfied of it. 1t may be
but fond delusion; l may deceive myself
but, r,ifgentlemen persevers in their course,
If they go as far as they say they will, be-
lieve the people will put stop to their ca
reer, and that shall soon hail the day when
che reign of theory, sophistry and false phi
losophy, which has for several years past
oppressed this country, paralised its indus
try, checked its enterprise, retarded its
prosperity and depressed its spirit, will
come to an end; when that commerce to
which we owe SO much of our prosperity,
which is the friend Of civilization and the
companion OF christianity, will revive, will
again I" veX every sea-" and penetrate G.
very bay, river and inlet where human be-
ings and human wants can be found.
Mr.. GRUNDY.-Mr. Speaker had
cherished a hope that the sound of war
would not again have been heard within
these walls, until the main question was pre-
scented, when every gentleman might have
taken latitude in debate called for by the
occasion, without fear of violating those
rules by which our discussions are regula-
ted and restrained. The course pursued
by the opposition to our measures of Drepa-
ration Tor war, calls upon us to IN eet an IN
vestigation into the propriety of our procec-
dlngs, upon the mere presentation of a pc
titon for the relief of a supposed grievance.
In this manner, the whole subject of our TO-
reign relations can be thrown open at the
viii OF any individual. ! own it would bet
ter comport with my views of dignity and
decorum to meet the ultimate question of
peace or war directly-to examine il with
freedom, aud decide with manly firmness.-
But as we have been thus unexpectedly as
sailed, ask the indulgence of the IIouse