Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-05-07
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Wednesday, AtrH %.
Mr.. Macon submitted for consideration
the following resolution
RESOLVED, That the committee of Com
merce and Manufactures be instructed to
report bill authorizing the President of the
u. States to cause to be purchased
barrels OF Hour, and to have the same ex-
ported to some port in Caracas for the use
OF the inhabitants who have suffered by the
Earthquake and also authorizing him to
cause TO be purchased barrels of
Hour, and to have the same exported TO some
port in Teneriffe, for the use of the inhabi-
tants who are likely to starye by the ravages
of locusts."
To the adoption of the first clause of this
resolution, there was no objection made by
any one but desultory debate took place
on Incidental points, and on the merits of the
last clause.
Mr.. Randolph made speech of some
length in favor # the object of the propos-
ed resolution, but going to show that the aid
the government could afford would be inef
fectual to relieve famine, if it existed and
that unquestionably, the most effectual relief
that could be afforded on our part to the
wretched and unfortunate people of Carac-
cas-, would be suspension, as to them, OF
our restrictive system He, therefore, NOV
ed to amend the resolution by adding to the
end OF it the words" and TO authorise Ues
SETS laden with firopisions TO clear our for
any foT Of the a oreSaid country"
Mr.. Calhoun expressed his regret, that
this proposition to aid the cause of humane
ty, could tbe permitted to pass without
the intermixturc of party feelings, which
the motion and speech of the gentleman
from Virginia, he thought, were calculated
to excite. He was opposed to the amend
ment, which he conceived would virtually
repeal the embargo, and he hoped, as there
Could be no probability of adopting it, he
would withdraw it. Mr.. c. said he had
doubts about the latter clause of the reso-
luton; because, as to the distress at Tene-
rife, the House had no other information
than newspaper report, whilst of the scar
cityfof provisions at Caracas, they had
accurate information.
Mr.. Randolph defended himself against
the imputation of desire to excite party
feeling, &c. and declined withdrawing his
amendment, because he believed it's adooti-
on to be essential to the accomplishment Of
the object OF the original motion. He also
made number OF observations on the impa-
tience with which gentlemen of the minori-
ty we're listened to in the House, and the
frequent interruptions they were in the ha-
bit of meeting with, &c.
Mr.. Macon spoke against the amendment.
which. if adopted, would compel him to vote
against his own motion. The restrictive
system, he said, would not be of long dura
ton, and when it expired provisions in
plenty might be exported to South Ame-
RIGA and elsewhere so that there was very
little necessity for suspending the embargo
law, which was only adopted preparatory
to different state Fittings. The clause in
the resolution relating to TeuefifFe, he said.
had been added atthe suggestion Of another
member.
Mr.. Calhoun again spoke against the A.
mendment, and in reply to Mr. Randolph's
imputation of intolerance to the minority
| This course of discussion he deprecated, az
not COMFORTING with the sacred cause Of dis
tant and oppressed humanity, &c.
Mr.. Smile made some remarks in reply
to an observation Of Mr.. Randolph, that the
donation by the British Parliament of an
hundred thousand pounds to the sufferer by
an Earthquake in Portugal, some years 20,
was an act almost sufficient to purchase ab-