Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-05-08
DEBATE
DEBATE
In the House Of Representatives. Of the U.
States an Secret Session.
April |.
Furnished for the Philadelphia Register by a
Member Of Congress)
ICoNTINuED.1

i~CoNTINUED]
Mr.. Seybert said, that in voting for the Sc
verat important measures which congress have
sgreed to this session, he felt himself pledged
20 60 to war that he was in favor of an EN-
barge as a precautionary measure and precur-
sor TO war. When he voted for the $4,000
men he supposed the executive intended wal
but he has now such information from a
friend in whom he confides, as leads him to
believe that offensive operations are not meant.
We ought to be better prepared before we en-
gage IN war. He had observed in the Balti-
more papers, that the British have ordered a
squadron and 10000 men for our coast.
MIR. Smile expressed his surprize at the OBJ
seFVauons OF his friend and colleague He did
not know from what quarter he had obtained
his information, that the president does not
mean war. Does he believe he has all this
time been deceiving the legislature ? He had
heard but one sentiment from the president,
when Is, that zoe must make Udr, unless
Great Britain ~relents. The president had al
wayssaPposei that embargo must preeede war
the only difference has been as to the time,
waicn has been finally compromised. The
ehoafgo IS intended as a war measure. He
would assure his colleague it was so intended by
both the executive and the committee of TO
gnrelations. That being now up, he would
OBSERVE, thai at the beginning of the session,
ne was not so warm for war as many were,
ouI he was Tor commercial restrictions. He
was not for the Is 1000 men but as the house
nave determined otherwise, he would now 90
war. 1t we now recede we shall be a re
proarh among all nations.
Mr.. Scyoert then spoke. that his intention
was TO resist seriously Great Britain he
would be plain but he was not for going to
war unprepared. When the bill for raising
lAe $4,000 men was before the house, it was
men declared to be according to the wishes
:" !" secretary at war-since that time, the
secretary has said it was not his wish, from
when ne concluded it was not the wish of the
President.
MT. Randolph proposed to read from me
morands in MS possession, of what occurred
IN The committee of foreign relations, and a
Conference between them and the secretary of
Sale, which was objected to.
MIR. Bassett tehairman) considered it in or
der
NJ Calhoun appealed.
The speakers decision was confirmed,
aye 90.
Nj Randolph said, it will appear that the
embargo Is not preparatory to war, that is to
NV u WIS not necessarily so, and OF course
h'' Of the character which the speaker has
Considered t. From his minutes (among o.
TIER tactsl II appeared, that Mr.. Monroe said
" the committee, that the president thought
We ought 20 declare war before we adjourn,
Ah.ess Great Britain recedes, Of which there
VS. NJ pr1s9sct-That there was conversation
a''it an embargo. Mr.. Monroe was asked
O' some OF the committee, whether the pre-
"4'nt wolll recommend it by message, he
''.vered that be would. il he could be assur-
' % would be acceptable TO the house. He
~'' said, M Barlow had been instructed to
resent 10 the French government our sense
'"e injuries received, and to press upon
I'm our demands for reparation-that if she
mll'ed rs Justice, The embargo would leave
pot'y as respects France, and indeed of
countries, in our hands. lie was asked,
-'F essential alterations would be made
'n 30 days, in the defence of our maritime
.'u''er or sesporls2 Mr. NJ answered, that
considerable preparations would he
"A'r lie said. Ncw-Y ork was now in a res
lf-'lhle state Of defence, bat not such as to
f'',' a formidable feet-but, that il was not
p Boz expected that such a kind Of war would
BE- "arr.ei on. Il was replied, that We must
S,ae'f what commonly happens in wars.-Mr-
u aid that although a great distress and IN