Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-07

mean all the beliigereats. III the president con-
ceived there were no dangers threatened from any
other than France, he would have used the term
France; not the the 6enigerents of Europe
But why communicate the evidence of his appre-
hensioa from France, and not from Great Britain.
il he entertained any! Why, sir, for the most OBJ
yious reason imaginable; because the information
from France was official. The information from
Great Britain was not. 1t was contained in news
pspers only, which were in the hands of every
gentleman; and their contents every gentlem an
could appreciate, AZ well the president. Now
sir under these circumstances, not the message
of the president perfectly correct? Let me ask the
gentleman, if he now mend il? IT, sir, the pre-
sident in his message, had communicated this new
paper information, respecting the apprchended hos
tility Of the British government, what a glorious
theme OF invectivc would have been afforded the
gentleman, Of favoritism to France ard hostility
against Great Britain? The omission, however, to
do this, could not screen the president from the
same angry reproaches. If the gentleman will i'm
partially review all these circumstances, and then
turn his eyes towards his own heart, he will find
that the errors he has uncharitably ascrbcd to
the president, will be found in his own unhappy,
unsovernable passions But, sir, this is no, all.
will now refer the gentleman 10 some evidence to
sew the incorrec,ness of the assertions lie has made
evidence which he cannot deny, because il comes
from his words aud was attended with such
circumstances in the face of this senate that it
not be mistaken. In the gen,leman's passionate
zeal yesterday, he told us, that time allow ed
in the for the discussion of the original EN-
barge law; but that it discussedfn the house of
representatives; and the principal argunents urged
there in favor Of the measure were drawn from the
hostile acts OF Great Britain. The gentleman said
that il urged in that house that the measure
would starve Great Britain; that it would brn;, her
40 feet, SC. Sc. Now, sir, why these arsu-
81. .t.l.-
acts of hostility from Great Britain? They would
have been strange arguments, If the only hostile acts
Inducing theiReasure, the hostile OF France
of Great Britain.
M. Pickering rose 10 explain; he said he
mentioned these circumstances yesterday, to shew
the effects expected from the measure by the friends
OF it; in which they had been mistaken. He did
not speak OF them, inducements TO the mea-
sure.
g readily admit that the gentleman, at the time
OF making these observations, infiley insensi-
bic OF their irresistible operation in establishing
TACT, which he thinks important to himself TO
Gisprove; and IN my judgment, sir they do unques-
tionaby prove that these British ORDERS or the ap-
prehensions OF them, stood in the front of the in
ducements to the original embargo la,o. Sir,
were not these arguments in the house of re-
personalities immediate results from these induce
lnents! And what the actual state of the facts
why, sir that although the orders were not re-
ceived In such official form as to Justify
their communication by the PRESIDENT; the inten-
tion to issue them was announced in the newspa-
pers with so many marks OF probability, as Justly 10
excite apprehensions in the government for the
safety OF our seamen and commerce, and to Justify
the measure for the protection OF both. 1t has been
proved, not only that this information was pub
Iished in newspapers before The passage OF the act
In the senate; but the gentleman will recoliec that
1t did not pass the house Of representative for two
or three days after it had passed the senate IL was
there very natural, that the longer these apprehen
sions were felt, the stronger would be the induce-
ments 10 the measure deduced from them ;and hence
the Character OF the discussions in that house
described by the gentleman. But the gentleman
seems so think, that apprehensions are not correct
grounds tor legislation In ordinary is admit
ted; hui his was an extraordinary case The measure
was precautionary, ami II these apprehensions had
not been realized II would al any time have been IN
the power OF The government to dispense with the
pyecauion; whereas II congress had waited for a
lorna! authorization OF the ORDERS their I'M,
object ~ uld have been answered, and the precau-
tionar, measure rendered unnecessary. But. sir T
think this explanation OF very lutte consequence 10
the nation. IL can be of little consequence TO as
certain WI neither the adoption of the embargo was
lucky hat or dictate of wisdom; and should no,
have taken the trouble oil this examination if the
gentleman from Massachusetts MIR. Pickering had
not avaed himself of this OCCASION, TO assail the
reputation of his late colleague Mr.. Adan.sl: a
gentleman who represented the state of .Nlasa-
chuseits with so much honor to himself, and ad-
vantage 10 the state, and the nation; upon a
point 100, IN winch the gentleman here present
has pui himself so clearly in the wrong from his own
shelving. had hoped, MIR. President, that the
gentleman would have far restrained his feelings
as 10 have permitted this gentleman s retirement ~
nave shielded him from these unmerited reproaches
that. 1.l.-
procure an exemption from the inveteracy of the
genlemans passions. This cruel attack has i'm
posed upon me and an indispensable obligation TO de-
lend this absent gentleman; and it has been princi-
paily this circumstance which has driven me agaio
most reluctantly into this debate Sir can attest
and now do attest with great pleasure, the disin-
aerestedness and purity of the motives, which die
'a'eu mat eentieman's Mir. Adams] late political
conduct AS to us wisdom, that il matter of opin-
ION, and now In course OF experiment; but as 10
his exemption from all views of personal promo-
zion, or aggraDdizement, | here assert that fact
upon my own knowledge and upon my own re-
sponsibIty, as TAR as can be 50 warranted bu
me most eSpftct and unequipocal assurances
from the gentleman himself; given too under
circumstances. ,olich render their sincerity I'M,
f"eSttO"aofe.' IL gives me great pleasure 10 de-
Iehu 'his absent gentleman, only on account of
MS innocence oil those reprosches, but on account
oil ms merits his virtues and his talents which in
my Judgment, place him on so high ground, as
not TO induce wish on his part 10 shrink from
any comparison with either OF tie five worthless of
Massachusetts of whom we have been Informed by
the gentleman" " 'ir. Pickefmg)"
In forming just estimate Of this act of ayowed
conversion on the part OF ir. Adams, which, ON
the unexpected and extraordinary turn of sub-e
qaent. events my become extremely interesting 10
the whole human race, it cannot escape observa
ilon' That Mr.. Adams had completely won the CON
iidence oil the writer; and that this confidence was
grounded upon " the most explicit and unequiyo-