Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-04

'ary now TO enquire what the course would | +,
have been with respect to improvement, in case ,
the orders in coanc had been repealed before
the declaration of war--or how long the prac-
lice OF impressment would have heen borne, in |
the hope that that repeal would have been fol-
lowed by satisfactory arrangement with res
pect 10 impyessment.
War having been declared, and the case OF |
impressmont being necessarily included as one
OF the most lmpnrt9nt causes 1T rs evident that
1T must be provided fer in the pacifcation-
The omission of it in treaty of peace, would
not leave it on its forr.cr ground it would in
cf'ectb be an actual accomplishment, IN idea of
which the feelings OF every American mus, re-
volt. TIE sc,men os the United States have
claim on their country for protection, and
they mus, be protected. II "a single ship is ta-
ken at sea, and the property of an American CT
tizen, arrested erem hun unju ,tly, it rouscs tie
ind gnat ion OF tho country How much more
deeply then ought it be xcited, when we be
hold SO many of this gallant and highly merito
ripus class Of our { llow-citizens snatched from
the bosoms OF their families and of their coui-
try, and carried into cruel and affecting bon
dagc. 1t is an evil which uSht no,, which can
not be tolerated. Without dwell Ing On the suf
fcrings of the victims, on that wide scene o
distress which it spreads among their relatives
through the country, the practice is in If in
the highest degree degr,d ding to the U. States
Is "A nation. 1t Is Incompatible with their So
vereignty-it is subversiye OF the main pillars
Of their independence. The forbearance efthe
U. 8. under 1t has been mistaken for puslani-
mi;y
The British prctension was maturing fast in
30 a right. Had resistance been longer delay
ed, it might have become one. Every admins
tration demonstrated against it, in a tone which
bespoke the growing Indignation of the country
Their remonstrances produced no effect Ii
-.
when called by the voice OF his Country to the
head OF tie government, to pause, rather than
to recommend TO his te How citizens n new war
before they had recovered from the caiamitics
of the late one. 1t was worthy his immediate
successors TO follow his example. In peace
our free system OF government would gain
strength, and our happy unicn become consoli.
dated But 1t the last session, the period had
arrive when forbearance could be no longer
Justified. | Was the cuty cfCongress to take
up this sublect in connection with the other
great wrongs of winch they complained, and to
Sc, K redress i'll the only mode which became
The representatives of free people. They
have done so by appealing to arms, and that
sppesl will be supported by their constitu-
ents.
Your committee are aware that an interest
ing crisis has arrived in the United States, but
they have no painful apprehension of its con-
sequences The course before them is direct.
il is pointed out equally by a regard 10 the ho-
nor, the rights and the interests Of the nation.
II We pursue it with irmness and vigor, r "
Ing on the aid of Heaven, our success is inevi-
table. Our resources are abundant the pco-
pie are brave and virtuuus, and their spirit I'M
broken. The gallantry OF our infant navy be-
speaks our growing greatness on that element,
and that OF our troops when led to action in
spires full confidence of VIVA, ma, be exp ctcd
from them when their organization is com.
ple,e. Our Union is always most strong when
menaced by foreign dangers. The people of
America are never so much one family as when
their liberties are invaded.
The report concludes by recommending the
passage OF q bill " for the regus ton OF sc men
on board the public vessels and in the merchant
serv &C OF the U. States"
/ he obj ct OF this bill is, to prohibit, after
the conclusion OF the present war, the employ
ment OF any seamen in vessels o. the United
States, other than citizens, nalive or natura IL
ed, provided this stipulation stall extend only
to such nations as shall have entered inso SINH
lar supu.2tlons not to employ American sea
men, and not to claim or exercise the pretend
ed right 10 impress from vessels of tie United
States This provision, however, is not to pre-
elude the Executive of the United States from
stipuiating, by treaty with any foreign power
for reciprocal employment Of the seamen
each nation by the other. The bill consists of
several sections, and, not having room for it
now, shall be given entire in the next Argus
The bill was twice read and referred 10 q
committee OF the Whole
MIR Grundy moved hat the bill be made the
order of the day for Monday.
Mr.. Seybert slid, the time mentioned bv the
gentleman from Tennessee was too short to
allow members Who, for the ii 81 time, at this
moment " re allowed knowledge of the pro
visions OF The bill-the principle seemed one of
too much impOrtan C to be hastily acted on II
concerns, said he, not only this nation, but all
civilized mankind! The principles of the Re-
port OF thin day, were so mu n at war with
those reporTed by the same committee at the
last sessrn, that 1t was impossible for lin to re-
soncile them-Hme was necessary to under
stand tins subject Ii continued, his was the
first report we have received from the com
mlttee OF Foreign Relations during the present
session. They probably we're maturing their
SC enes for more than two TnOnths-is it fair @
expect that the members Of this House could
be prepared to act on them deGnitively i'm the
course Of ,wo days' he doubted the CONSTITUTE
onality OF the measures to him it seemed the
very error Of the moon. He must again and
again consult his pillow, before he could be
brought to vote in favor of the passage cf the
bill Perhaps he might consider it duty to
offer some rema ks, whether or not, Wedres
day was q short time to ask nfthe Houge. lie
moved to consider it on that dav
Nj. Grundy sad it was not his intention NJ
this time TO defend the bill, or to make anv OBJ
ser atoms IN reply to he remarks and nsinua
tions thrown out against the committee, of
winch he had the honor TO be one. When the
subject should come before the Hnuee Lo