The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-01-29


quarter from which they proceeded sur
priced hun more than the doctrine itself,
that the resolution ought not to pass lest il
should interfere with our negotiations with
q. Britain. We were told the other day,
said he, that we, or the government, had
struck our flag. But is it come TO this-that
we are AFRAID TO enquire into our own mu-
nic'pal regulations lest We may offend our
enemy Onder such circumstances as this,
can 1t De expected that Slr enemy will be
| very yielding in regociaS:ou Will not a re-
tnsal to agree to this resolution be acknowl
iedging, III language too plain, that we are
about to give up this point WIN it not be
saying We are ready TO yield them whate-
yer they ask---in other words, their mari
time rights The question now before the
House Is merely that we should enquire into
the proprieiy of giving to man as much IL
berty as the God of Heaven gave him at his
birth-and does not for moment depend
on the feeling of any fSreign nation If we
mean to be independent, we must be so in
whole, and not in part--we should main =
tain our rights increasingly. Shall we now
hesitate whether we shall enquire into this
subject lest 1t SHOULD affect the negotiations
with an enemy whom we are determined to
hight for ever unless she yields We had
better say at once that the Representative
Branch OF the government has become SO
tlmld that 1t dare not enquire into our NUM-
cipal rights, for fear the Enemy should not
like it. HeCauld not for moment hold
ont such an idea.
MIR. Culpeper of n. c. said this was a
subject of importance, and well worthy of
consideration. He was of opinion, however
ur municipal regulations might interfere
with those of othsr nations, it was the du.y.
OF this government to do its own business in
its own way; and therefore he was opposed
! 60 the resolutions being laid over
| Mr. Oakley protested that he did not re-
| gard the effect Of this measure on foreign
nations. but how it might affect our own in
| terests--how far the adoption of such a mea :
sure might throw embarrassment in the way
! or our own government. Administration
might think proper TO stipuate that it would
not natnralize Certain descriptions OF Bri
! tish SUBJ ects--and TO make other stipuia
| tioRs of reciprocal nature with which this
provision might interfere, &c. &c. Mr.. O.
| conceded in the general idea that this ques-
ton ought 20 to be settled but it was now
a question of expectancy whether, pending
negotiations, it was proper to make any
provision on this subject. Fer his part, he
thought the question ought 10 be pot at rest
| for the,pTesent.
MI. Calhoun If S. c. said he hoped the
resolution would be ordered to lie on The Ia
its adoption might have tendency 20 EN-
barrass negotiation. He was no, cerl ain
how far that idea might be correct bnt #
10y possibility it could have that tendency
ITS adoption was surely not aavisable.-Mr.
{. wished for time to reflect on this subject,
and he did not see wis that time should not
be granted. 1t was question of great del
ticacy under every aspect, and one which
they could not decide affirmatively or mega
lively without embarrassment. A state OF
war did not appear to him the best time
/ tor agitatirg such a subject at least it ought
not to be HASTILY disposed of.
Mr.. Macon Of n. e.. expressed his sur
prize at the nature of the objections which
I had been urged to his resolution. Could
any regulations be made by treaty, he ask
! ed, declaring that the people of this coun
try should not go where they pleased 1t
was impossible 10 imagine that that Tight
could come in question in any negotiation
with foreign powers. If this Subject was
ore OF difficulty, as was contended, ne be-
iieYsd the sooner il was looked to the bet
ter. But, notwithstanding this belief, the
only reason for departing from his general
ErCle to vote for any motion to lie on the ia
lble, on the request of any member, was the
declaration Of one Of the gentlemen, tina he
meant by that motion to put the question at
rest for the session.
Mr.. Jackson of Va. said he had been real
ly surprised TO near gentlemen alledge that
the adoption of a resoluti n or passage of a
law on this subject would have any possible
effect on any pending negotiation. Ii for
the first time the question was proposed, to
establish the rght Of naturalization, OF
! whiUN repatriation is the necessary correla
ltiYe, hen the eXpcdiency OF agitating the
/ question at this moment might Sc doubted
But the constitution had expressly declares
that Congress should possess the power of
Observation-Disclosures wonld they now con-
troyert the principle established in the con-
stitution, by denying to our own citizens the
| right to expatrater If foreign nations de
sire to enquire into the disposition of the
government ia this respect let them lock
into our charter they will find the princi-
| pie of naturalization engrafted there. This
idea OF eHpatriation was by 10 means no
vel, MIR. said. in the state 10 which he
belonged was an act of repatriation
Of winch persons might avail themselves.
4 ie could see no objection to this proposition
at this tire. Indeed if this war continued
of which III hoped 20 see an honorable ter
n1nation it vas indispensable with view
TO that state Of things, that some provision
should be made on the subject os expatria
ZION. A ciuzen's going INTO Canada and re-
turning, snd thus committing treason, al
leges, on detection, that he has eXpatria'ed
and it tired AS a spy Ct the enemy, alleges
that he - an American citizen. Some re
guiaton was necessary TO prevent this col
fusion. and, whether peace Or war prevail
ed II yype t,rgr, ~ r. fLIt t1P rilgstien slcui n