Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-07-20

r1ao,, bic ,uofio,s made on The l6th Of June, 10
Aoethone the further consideration % 1"e
BIZ declaring Mar against Great 6''fa'"' 20
the slst Of October
Mr.. BAYARD said that he was entirely
sensible of the inutility IN general OF entering
upon the discussion OF subject wnlch haa
been long time under consideration, ana up
on which it might be supposed that the OPT
MONS of members were formed and settled !;
Int on an occasion so momentous as the pre-
sent. he should no, feel himself JUSTIFIED In
submitting even a motion of postponement,
without offering his reasons in support OF It
nor could he think that In giving silent Vote'
that he had discharged the duty OF ms station
Geatle4nen would remark, that be had comm
ed his motion to time, in order that members
might not be compromised in supporting R'
who might think the war itself just ana ne
cessary.
The motion did not oppose or deny tbs sui
ficency of the causes, or the policy OF Tue
war. 1t went only to affirm what he trusted
the course of his observations would render
very evident, that this was not a time at when
war ought to be declared.
He INDUCED a confidence, that upon so
great an occasion the Senate would not DC I'M
PEELED to act by any little passions, nor oy a.
nv considerations which did not arise out OF
an extended and distinct view OF the interests
of the country. tits not enough that we nave
cause of war, we must see that we are pre-
pared, and in condition to make war. You
do not go to war for the benefit OF your enc
nv, but your own advantage-not to give
proofs of a vain, and needless courage, but to
assert your rights and redress your wrongs
If YOU commence hostillties, before you are
prepared to strike blow, and while your cl-
ties, your territory, and your property on
the ocean, are exposed to the mercy OF 60
vernment possessing vast resources OF war,
what can you expect but to add new dlstres-
ses, defeat s. disgrace, to the wrongs OF which
you complain. 1t is strange motive tor war
"a wish to CRAFTY the rapacity, to swell the
triumphs, and to increase the lnsolence OF the
enemy.
Mr.. B. said that neither the government
nor the people had expected, or were prepar-
ed for war. Even a, this moment the general
opinion abroad was, that there would be no
war-the mercantile and trading world had
continued to act upon that npialon-nor could
people be persuaded, that an urarmed nation
was about to attack nation armed cap pie.
No man had laid out his account tor this war,
and every one would be taken BY surprlze and
unprepared for its shock. You have at this
moment an immense property abroad, great
portion of in England, and part floating on
the ocean, and fastening to your ports. The
postponement proposed might save great
portion of this property, and bring home the
seamen now absent from the country. Cen
tlemen would remember the number OF ships
which LETT our ports upon the eve OF the en-
vessels bad not had time to per-
form their voyages, and the greater part OF
them were still abroad. He knew that some
members had no commsseratlon for the mer-
chant who had dared to escape the embargo,
and who had oisreg arded the salutary precau-
tons, designed, as it was said, for his security
But he did not think it surprising nor culpable,
that those whose property consisted IN ships,
should be averse to seeing them rottlng at the
wharvcs, and even disposed to incur risks to
find employment for them abroad.
Even, however, if it should be thought that
the merchants had acted with indiscretlon and
IOllyS IL 10 tilS PoIl VI @ 'SHeoA
such as this ought always to be, not to punish
the citizens for their misfortunes, but to guard
them against the effects of their err ors. Be
side, loss of individual property was loss
to the state, as the public strength was deriy-
ed from individual resources.
He stated that the question of war had been
doubtful till the present moment He did not
believe that the president himself expected
war at the opening of the session, nor for a
long time after. A menacing language was
held out, but the hopes OF an accommodation
were far from being abandoned. Much was
expected from the prince regents accession
TO his full powers. change of ministry was
not doubted; and it was thought, that in the
change of men, there would have been found
such a change of principles and measures,
that the differences between the two govern
ments might be compromised and settled
fill ~ l,eca M q