Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-07-07
cal, sueh an enquiry be improper. !.

ulSuC9t 10 tue iOWCets abS SShS'NNN-'.
ally subject to the animadversion OF TINS
house--and il the nature OF the case re-
quire it, TO the legal animadversion OF
this house, in the due exercise OF Its
power of impeachment. 1t then, IN re-
latiou to the subject. matter OF these re
solutions, any agent Of the government
has violated his duty, it is important
that this house should know it--and II
the agent OF any foreign power has been
guilty of withholding from this govern
ment, important information, when de
rected to communicate tit is equally
necessary that the fact should be discios-
ed for although this house may not
possess the power OF jnnictiDg the pu-
nishment due to such an offence, yet 1t
may adopt, and ought to adopt such mea-
sures as would compel the executive to
demand the recall Of that agent, by ms
own government. Iwsuld then prose-
cute this inquiry with rigor and perse"
verance, although the result might I'm
plicate the predecessor OF Mr.. Barlow
al the court of Frapce--Or reach even
the representative Of the truth and honor
of his imperial and royal majesty, near
the United States,
But, sir, if the reasons urged by the
gentleman from South Carolina are well
founded, they apply with greater force
to shew the impropriciy of the second
and third resolutions, than ct the first
and / ioresee, that ii TINS resolution is
amended in the manner now proposed
we shall soon hear motion 10 reject
those which follow. 1t is then, because
I consider this amendment calculated
TO Illustrate the object Of these res"lu'
tons, and to defeat the enquiry contem-
plated by them-and because, such al
intention is now distinctly avowed by
the motion to postpone them Indefinitely
that | mus, beg the indulgence OF the
house, while | state as conCisriy as |
am able, The view which have taken
of the whole subject now before Us.
In doing this, sir, s all not follow
the example of the gentleman from ):
Caroliua, by INDUCING in al unnecessa
ry warmth, which may serve to Hrt'ie.
but never TO convince Nor, sir, sha!'
| attempt any reply to most Ct the 90
servations which have fallen from, tne
honorable gentleman from Maryland,
(Mr. Wrigh,D That gentleman seem
ed 10 have in view general defence OF
the conduct Of the administration in liz
management OF our foreign relatioDs-s
subject not connected with the resolu
lions DOW before the house, and which
would necessarily lead Us into wide
field Of debate, where little of novelty Is
to be found. Neither shall advert to
the remarks Ct ina. gentleman, which
seemed 10 me designed to reflect on the
character of this side OF the house-be-
cause l have understood that that hon
gentleman is privileged tc say niany
things, which it is not considered incum.
bent on any one here to answer: But l
shall proceed with much GOODNESS, but
as plainly as the nature of the case may
demand, to state the reasons hich have
produced complete conviction on my
mind, that the adoption of these resolu-
lions, and satisfactory answer to them
by the Executive, are absolutely neces
sary to the vindicatien Of the national
honor.
10 understand correctly the nature
and importance of the snbject now un-
der discussion, it is requisite to bring
into view the state of our relations Wit!
France and Great Britain, at the date OF
the decree of the % h of April, ISL
am not about to enter at large into the.
subject of the French DEGREES and The
British orders in council. Ii is not im
purtant here 10 do so--& if it were, dut
respect fortbe talents ofemirent gentle
men who have gone before me. would
deter me 'front.' travelling field so tho
roughly explored. 1t would be mere
than vain ID me to hope to pr esent any
new views Of a subject SO completely
exhausted. 1t is sufficient for my pur-
pose 10 state such facts respecting these
DEGREES aud orders, ard tie policy pur.
sued by our government IN relation to
them, as | have understood to be gene
rally admitted
The blockade of May 1896, establish
ed by the government, although in the
first instance considered by the present
secretary of state, as a conciIiatory mea-
sure, was afterwards allie dyed by France,
and then by our own administration, to
be hostile to neutral rights, and a direc,
violation of the Law of nations. France,
claiming a rigtt,o retaliate, promulgat
ed in October foll,wing, the Berlin de-
cree. To this succeeded, on the same
alledeed ground of retaliation, the Or
ders in Council, and to these the decree
of Milan. Each of the belligerent pow.
ers thus rested the justification of its
hostile edicts on the previous alledged
injustice and wrongs of the ether. Our
l.; rotio, tbouoh denylnp IN terms