Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-03-25

are secnred and settled by the vigor and
energy Of the American People, who will
| again be ready to draw the sword if Britain
again encroaches on our dearest rights
MR.. HANSON said it was because he
, could not consent to be instrumental in con-
| sumiag the time of this house, that he had
declined and should avoid going at large in,
to the discussion which had been opened
here to-day though he should certainly not,
| he said. be suspected Of any personal repug-
nance TO indulge at large in those reflections
which naturally grew out OF the subject
he expressed his perfect and cordial con
currence IN the sentiments uttered by his
honorable friend on his right General Stu.
arD and well supported by his friend from
New York (Mr. Grosvenor) Some gen,
tiemen. he remarked, in whose opinions he
generally felt the most perfect confidence,
mad expressed some alarm, excited by the
needless aud inconsiderate remarks of the
gentlemen supposed to represent the Exc
cntiye authority on this floor (meanins Mr..
FOrsyth) There was not on this -four, Mr.
II. said, aVaasittart, Canning, a Castle
reagh, whose word was to be the law but
all acted, or ought to act from their own
calm and deliberate reflections. For his
part he said, he had no apprehensions.
growing out of the suggestion that we might
be again speedily involved in another war !:
ne should AS soon suspect scalded cat of
leaping into boiling cauldron, as suspect
the present administration of Ieaping into
another war; Mr. II. proceeded to reply to
some ot the remarks of Mir. Calhoun, which
had called him up. We have signed trea.
~, said Mr.. II. which do here contend,
has abandoned every thing for which we
entered into the war. The gentleman from
oouth carolina had heard of this being said
b,,s,,
on tins hoor. l reiterate it here, and every
where. There was, he said, no better es.
tabiished principle, than that the govern
inent winch goes to war for particular OBJ
lece, and concludes peace without secur
ing ie, surrenders that point. The immu-
MY OF our tag, the gentleman had contend.
ed' was not the object OF the war. Mr.. H
qnoteu the instructions 20 our Ministers un-
der the Russian mediation, which state that
the great object to be secured, Sin regard
TO impressment, is, that the aae shall pro.
tect the crew." Where was the distinction.
ne asked, between contending for the im>
;;!c0'ty OF the flag. and contending that the
nag snail protect the crew. We have as
ssrted the principle, as could be proved from
various public docuTaents, and having con.
GUIDED treaty without any stipulation on
that head, we have, according to the laws
ofnations, abandoned it. aud cannot go to
war again tor the same object. He referred
to other parts of the Instructions to show
that provision on this head was consider.
eu indispensable, aAd was made the vital
principle for which he had gone to war
Can L (saidhe) be suspec ed of exuItiug at
The mistortunes of the country when / saw
that no such provision being made in the
treaty, we have given up the points Ger.
talniy not for on t:lis floor he said he had
always contended that administration was in
the wrong tor having insisted on it. The
claim OF Britain never had been TO take our
seamen, as a reference TO the public docu>
ments would shew. She had contended that
we had no right to protect British desert,
ers; in taking her seamen, it was not deni.
ed that great abuses had been committed
Oar claim was to protect all people sailing
under our flag. That claim was abandoned
0y the treaty which had been accepted by
tue Executive, and which he now called up.
on the members Of the house, on their re.
turn TO their homes, to reconcile TO their
constituents, To brush up the recollection
OF the gentleman by referring him to his
former opinions, Mr.. II said he would now
read hun a part of a report which was ua-
derstood to have proceeded from his pen
when acting as chairman of the committee
OF toreiBn relations, provided he did not act
ON mat occasion, as the chairman of stand
ing committee frequently does, only as an
amanuensis of Some Executive officer. MIR
h. then quoted Report made to the house
by Mr. Calhoun in 1918, saying, among
o'ner things, "the inpressment of our sea
men being deservedly considered firinci;Iak
canse OF the war, the war ought to be pro.
secuted till that cause is removed. To APP
peal to arms in defence of right. and to
lay them down Dithoat securing it, or a sa~
tiIactory evidence of good disposition in
the opposite party to secure it, would be
considered in no other light, than rein
qRishDtent Gift" Could language be strong
err, Mr.. II. asked. Did the gentleman then
attenpt to palm upon the house unsouhd
public law, or were mis- present opinions un-
sound and incorrectf Were his former
opinions correct or his present erroneous
Mr.. II. ayowed reluctance to taking part
in this debate; it had been his desire that
no little paltry party feelings should be in
troduced on this occasion. Having snatched
at treaty containing no provision for Sc.
curing the rights for which the nation had
gone to war. and ratified that treaty in two
or three days, he hoped the house would
not agree instantly, TO disarm the nation,
whilst the enemy was in possession of our
borders that they would not before we
see disposition on the part of the enemy,
20 reduce his Military Establishment, throw
US naked before the enemy. Was such
| cnrrsp dtpni6ed Hid IL counport with fi,s