Mr. George Canning. preached to the people about the mighty power of the "mother country," and predicted the most signal This "joker of jokes," as Mr. Canning has been vengeance on all who resisted the "supreme authofacetiously called, laying aside his propensity to rity of king and parliament." Well-in obedience pun, has taken upon himself the more solemn charac- to these counsels, an ariny was sent to Boston, and the ter of a fulfiller of prophecies. The burthen of his king had possession of the town; but what was the late speech in the British house of commons is to effect? Why, all the colonies, with Washington, from express his regret, that the ministry had not batter- Virginia, at their head, contributed to the aid, and ed down our cities, ravaged our coasts, and annihi-comfort and relief of the patriots at Boston. From lated our commerce, with the chief view of fulfilling less to more the thing went on, until INDEPENDENCE, the doleful prophecy of a gentleman he is pleased to call hardly dreamt of at the beginning, was declared, and "ONE OF THEIR WARMEST ADVOCATES" in the congress sustained and established. Now the very same kind of the United States. The mournful oracle, he ap-of people tell the British government that it is Virprehends, may fall into disrepute, if not supported ginia, only, that urges the war-they say that "Virby the vigor of the British arms. [See his speech, ginia influence" is rapidly declining-with a single page 338] Amiable consideration! Charitable in-stroke of the pen they kill whole regiments of our tent!-May he be consoled with the news of the Fro- newly raised troops, and declare and swear that men lic we had with the Macedonian, and find great com- and money cannot be had to carry on the war, &c.— fort in the activity of sir John B. Warren; who, with If the British believe these things they will again be several ships of the line and a number of frigates, has mistaken; for,when the state of the times requires it, already captured some oyster boats bound to New-"the hundred hills of old Massachusetts" will be York! bristled with 50,000 bayonets, in the hands of her It is unfortunate, because eminently calculated yeomanry, to defend the rights and integrity of the to make the British cabinet persist in the wrong, that whole. Gen. Burgoyne, by his famous proclamation they believe they possess a very powerful party in issued on the way to SARATOGA, gave the woeful authe United States, ready to go all lengths with them.gurers of his day a glorious prospect of the fulfilWith astonishing impudence they speak of their ment of their predictions-but Gates, with his har"friends" here, as certainly as they "count the noses" dy band, interpreted the matter a different way; and of their own pensioners in parliament. But it is more the doleful set were sadly disappointed. Thus when unfortunate that the conduct of too many do really the British minister shall "draw his sword and swear" countenance and support this false impression, by the the things he will do, these folks will tell us that violence of their clamors, and the magnitude of their ships of 74 guns, like the frogs of Egypt, will be falsehoods respecting the administration and the bu-found in our very bed chambers, and the Alleganies, siness of the war. I call it a false impression as appli- themselves, he blown to pieces by the Congreve roced to a very large majority of that party the British kets! But, we trust in God, in the justice of our build their hopes upon; for, though a few may have cause, and the valor of our countrymen, they will buried their honesty in the stye of corruption, the again find, that to prophecy is one thing, and to fulfil great body is really American, and will maintain the the prediction is another. independence of their country. War is declared and But lord Castlereagh, the modest lord Castlereagh, actually exists; and few men will be found hardy said, "that the war had been conducted with all the enough to propose a peace that shall not have for its means, both naval and military, that could be spared object the security of our seamen. It is impossible from other objects." We believe this-for though to make peace on any other terms; and let the ad- G. Britain boasts of her "thousand vessels of war," ministration change as it may (four years hence one half of them are never at sea, and she is comthere are no men in the United States, likely to be pelled to scatter them so much to watch and guard invested with the power, sufficiently base to abandon so many places and convoys, that she cannot overthe gallant sailor, with "Hull, Jones and Decatur" whelm us in the doleful manner predicted, in 1775 staring them in the face. It is out of the question and 1812. Witness the cruises that our frigates have to expect peace without a good understanding on made-witness the deeds of our private armed vesthis matter, which is now the hinge of the war. The sels! The main is not so easily "bridged." Nor are alternative might to have been yet longer delayed-our cities so easily prostrated. With a vastly supewe might have used words a few years more, and rior force one attempt was made at Sackett's Harbor have parried the contact on this delicate and import--when New-York, the favorite topic of prophecy, is ant point; BUT THE MATTER IS NOW AT ISSUE, AND Assailed, we predict the result will alike put to nought THE PRINCIPLE MUST BE ESTABLISHED, nolens volens. the sayings of the woe-struck prophets ! In this straight there is no flying off or backing out. We must agree that the British have a right to im press our seamen, or sustain the contrary, by arms. Committee of Foreign Relations. In such a contest, all honest men will finally support the war, though they may have judged it imprudent In the proceedings of Congress will be found a ly entered into. The sovereignty of our nation main-masterly report from the committee of foreign relaly depends on this thing, and eternal disgrace will tions, who have also reported a bill for the regulation be fixed upon us if we do not sustain the controver• of seamen, &c. As it is presumed every person will sy to a successful termination. The bill now before read this report and bill, we shall merely observe, congress will do away all pretences, and settle the that we consider the doctrine therein conceded, in question on the broad ground of justice. the principle of reciprocity, as the sine qua non of all Great Britain was thus deceived (if our chronicles our hopes of peace with Great Britain; and that we be true) at the commencement of the revolution.are totally at a loss to apprehend any possible ground Her lying correspondents on this side the Atlantic that can be taken in opposition to the plan proposed made her believe that a few "factious" persons to do way the pretences of impressment. We trust only had determined to resist her unconstitution this procedure will unite our country on the great al laws. They said, that the whole spirit of "disaf- question contended for, and silence all the minor fection" lay in the little town of Boston; and that, points of controversy. If this will not do it-the though it made a great noise, a few "regulars" would prospect of union is hopeless; and we are much fureasily silence it..In the mean time, these creatures! ther gone in British subserviency that has been sẽs pected; it will only remain for the sincere Ameri- Comstock, 4,324, elected. Messrs. Miller and Ma can to take a stand, and, like the stag at bay, resolve thews had, respectively, 2,353 and 2,355 votes. on that spot to perish, if so his country's good requires of him. 21st district.-Samuel M. Hopkins, 4,417, and Nathaniel W. Howel, 4,426, elected Messrs. Bater and Loomis had, respectively, 3,510 and 3,617 votes. From the above return of votes, which is taken THE CHRONICLE. Died at Burlington, Vt. on the 31st Dec. captain from the official statement, it appears that NewWilliam Walker, of the 26th reg. U. S. infantry-a York will be represented in the next congress by 17 gentleman of great merit. He was interred with federalists and 8 republicans-the names of the latter military and masonic honors, in the most respectful in italic. manner. The prince regent, in his speech, congratulates parliament on the "success of the measures" that had been adopted to keep the starving manufacturers quiet; but does not say that these "measures" consist in the employment of 60,000 bayonets. It Finances of Virginia.-The expenditures of the would not do to publish this alarming truth from the state of Virginia for the year 1813, is estimated at throne; but so it is, that the chief manufacturing $480,542 50-in which amount is included more towns are all garrisoned with militia, drawn from than $100,000 for the manufactory of arms and other the remote parts of the country, the people of the military purposes. The estimated receipts, including neighborhoods not being confided in Manchester has the money now in the treasury, amount to $580,984 6000 of these troops quartered in the town. The state of society is, indeed, deplorable; but the profligacy of the government remains undiminished. Certain inhabitants of the city of Washington have petitioned congress for the incorporation of a bank at the seat of government, to discount at FIVE per cent. 96 cents. The legislature of New-York have passed, or are about to pass, a law to admit the receipt of tickets at elections, written or printed, or partly of either. Heretofore they were all required to be written. NEW-YORK ELECTION-13TH CONGRESS. 1st district.-Ebenezer Sage, 3,508, John Lefferts, 3,514, elected. Messrs. Blydenburg and Jay had, respectively, 3,431 and 3,446 votes. 2nd district.-Egbert Bensor, 3,983; Jotham Post, jr. 3,912, elected. Messrs. Ferguson and Irving haul, respectively, 3,737 and 5,728 votes. A Paris paper of the 24th Nov. has the following most important article. "His majesty, the king of Rome, some time ago, entered his twenty-first month. The health of this august infant becomes more and more strong." The Times, a London paper, of the 1st ult. says, "Lavender, one of the Bow-street officers, has seized at Spithead, a vessel with a considerable quantity of arms on board, shipped at the port of London, and intended for America. It is added, that several of 3rd district.-Peter de Noyelles, 1,430, elected.-the persons concerned in the transaction are in cusMr. Morris had 1,218 votes, 559 votes were also giv- tody." en to Mr. Van Courtland, jr. Washington city, Jan. 28.-By the latest accounts from Laguira, it appears that on the 9th of Dec last, Alex. Scott, Esq. who presented a donation of pro5th district.-Thomas P. Grosvenor, 1,688.-No visions to the distressed inhabitants of Caraccas, opposition. from our government in June, 1812, has been ordered 6th district.-Jonathan Fisk, 1,094, elected. Two away from thence by the despotic Spanish monarchcandidates run against him; one had 609; the other ists, who have recently conquered the patriots of that province, together with all other Americans. 4th district-Thomas J. Oakley, 1,990, elected. Mr. Van Wyck had 1,489 votes. 431 votes. 7th district-Abraham Hasbrouck, 1,631, elected. Out of five vessels that conveyed our donations, Mr. De Wit had 1,484 votes. four were detained near six months by the usurpers, 8th district. Samuel Sherwood, 2,303, elected.during which time they have been nearly destroyed Mr. Ely had 1,998 votes. 9th district. John Lovett, 1,253, elected-no opposition. by the worms of those seas, and were obliged to be 10th district.-Hozea Moffitt, 2,146, elected-no LONDON, Nov. 21.-The failure of the Ermouth opposition. bank last week was truly distressing; the paper 11th district.-John IV. Taylor, 2,229, elected. Mr. issued by it was the great currency of all that neighStewart had 1,974 votes. borhood to a partial degree, so that the shock was 12th district-Zebulon R. Shipherd, 3,979 and felt by every class, but more particularly by the Elisha I. Write, 3,979, elected. Messrs. Skinner lower orders of society, who had unbounded confi and Smith had, respectively, 3,207 and 3,235 votes-dence in the proprietors; numbers of individuals besides 404 votes were given to Mr. Livingston. are almost ruined in consequence thereof. The hub13th district-Alexander Boyd, 1,722, elected. bub and tumult was so great and extraordinary the Mr. Gelbard had 1,432 votes, and 208 were given to day it occurred that it bore more the appearance of Mr. Sheppard. the storming a castle, than the silent stoppage of a 14th district-Jacob Markell, 2,487, elected.-bank; every part was bravely beseiged-some got Mr. McIntyre had 1,987 votes. in and assailed the back gates, others attacked the 15th district-William Dowzie, 4,417, and Joel front and windows, tore off the rails, and broke down Thompson, 4,478, elected. Messrs. Roseboom and the counters; many were so roughly handled, that a Patterson had, respectively, 3,946 and 3,915 votes. female in the midst of the throng was heard to shriek 16th district-Morris S. Miller, 2,709, elected-out, they were squeezing her to death-that she had Mr. Brayton had 1,572 votes. (rather lose her £80 worth of notes than her life, 17th district-William S. Smith, 2,598, elected and begged for mercy that they would release her, Mr. H. Smith had 1,996 votes. 18th district.-Moss Kent, 2,194, elected. Brown had 1,389 votes. which was after much difficulty effected, and she Mr. was pacified with possessing her notes in safety in the street. The bank continued paying, in confusion, Mr.bout one hour, when it ceased, leaving a multitude in the dumps, who could not by any means, force an 20th district.-Daniel Avery, 4,299, and Oliver C. lentrance within the walls. 19th district. James Geddes, 1,633, elected. Miller had 1,297 votes. No. 24 OF VOL. III.] BALTIMORE, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1813. Hæc olim meminisse juvabit.—VIRGIL. [WHOLE NO. 76. Printed and published by H. NILES, South-st. next door to the Merchants' Coffee House, at $5 per annum. Mr. H. Clay's Speech, ment had been unremittingly impeded, for the last twelve years, was singular, and, I believe, unexamIn the House of Representatives of the United States, pled in the history of any country. It has been alike on Friday the 8th of January, 1813, on the bill for the duty and the interest of the administration to raising an additional military force of TWENTY preserve peace. Their duty, because it is necessaTHOUSAND MEN, for one year. ry to the growth of an infant people, their genius, MR. H. CLAY (Speaker) said he was gratified yes-and their habits. Their interest, because a change terday by the recommitment of this bill to a comof the condition of the nation brings along with it mittee of the whole house, from two considerations; a danger of the loss of the affections of the people. one, since it afforded to him a slight relaxation from The administration has not been forgetful of these a most fatiguing situation, and the other, because it solemn obligations. No art has been left unessayed; furnished him with an opportunity of presenting to no experiment, promising a favorable result, left the committee his sentiments upon the important untried, to maintain the peaceful relations of the topics which had been mingled in the debate. He country. When, some six or seven years ago, the regretted, however, that the necessity under which affairs of the nation assumed a threatening aspect, a the chairman had been placed, of putting the ques-partial non-importation was adopted. As they grew tion, precluded him from an opportunity he had more alarming an embargo was imposed. It would wished to have enjoyed of rendering more accepta- have attained its purpose, but it was sacrificed upon ble to the committee any thing he might have to offer the altar of conciliation. Vain and fruitless attempt on the interesting points it was his duty to touch to propitiate! Then came a law of non-intercourse; Unprepared, however, as he was to speak on this and a general non-importation followed in the train. day, of which he was the more sensible from the ill In the meantime, any indications of a return to the state of his health, he would solicit the attention of public law and the path of justice, on the part of the committee for a few moments. either belligerent, are seized with avidity by admi I was a little astonished, I confess, said Mr. C.nistration-the arrangement with Mr. Erskine is when I found this bill permitted to pass silently concluded. It is first applauded and then censured through the committee of the whole, and that, not by the opposition. No matter with what unfeigned until the moment when the question was about to be sincerity administration cultivates peace, the oppoput for its third reading, was it selected as that sub-tion will insist that it alone is culpable for any breach ject on which gentlemen in the opposition, chose to between the two countries. Because the president lay before the house their views of the interesting thought proper, in accepting the proffered reparaattitude in which the nation stands. It did appear tion for the attack on a national vessel, to intimate to me that the loan bill, which will soon come before that it would have better comported with the jusus, would have afforded a much more proper occa- tice of the king (and who does not think so?) to sion, it being more essential, as providing the ways punish the offending officer, the opposition, enterand means for the prosecution of the war. But the ing into the royal feelings, sees in that imaginary gentlemen had the right of selection, and having insult abundant cause for rejecting Mr. Erkine's arexercised it, no matter how improperly, I am grati-rangement. On another occasion, you cannot have fied, whatever I may think of the character of some forgotten the hypercritical ingenuity which they dispart of the debate, at the latitude in which, for played to divest Mr. Jackson's correspondence of a once, they have been indulged. I claim only, in re- premeditated insult to this country. If gentlemen turn, of gentlemen on the other side of the house and would only reserve for their own government half of the committee a like indulgence, in expressing, the sensibility which is indulged for that of Great with the same unrestrained freedom, my sentiments. Britain, they would find much less to condemn. Perhaps in the course of the remarks, which I may Restriction after restriction has been tried-negofeel myself called upon to make, said he, gentlemen ciation has been resorted to, until longer to have nemay apprehend that they assume too harsh an aspect.gociated would have been disgraceful. Whilst these I have only now to say that I shall speak of parties, peaceful experiments are undergoing a trial, what measures, and things, as they strike my moral sense, is the conduct of the opposition? They are the protesting against the imputation of any intention, champions of war-the prond-the spirited-the on my part, to wound the feelings of any gentleman. sole repository of the nation's honor--the exclusive Considering the situation in which this country is men of vigor and energy. The administration, on now placed in a state of actual war with one of the the contrary, is weak, feeble, and pusillanimous most powerful nations on the earth-it may not be "incapable of being kicked into a war." The maxuseless to take a view of the past, of various par- im, "not a cent for tribute, millions for defence," ties which have at different times appeared in this is loudly proclaimed. Is the administration for ne country, and to attend to the manner by which we gociation? The opposition is tired, sick, disgusted have been driven from a peaceful posture. Such an with negociation. They want to draw the sword inquiry may assist in guiding us to that result, an and avenge the nation's wrongs. When, at length, honorable peace, which must be the sincere desire foreign nations, perhaps, emboldened by the very of every friend to America. The course of that op- opposition here made, refused to listen to the amiposition, by which the administration of the govern-cable appeals made, and repeated and eiterated by administration, to their justice and to their inter The chairman had risen to put the question, ests-when, in fact, war with one of them became which would have cut Mr. C. off from the chance of identified with our independence and our sovereignspeaking, by returning the bill to the house-Forty, and it was no longer possible to abstain from it, Vor. L Y behold the opposition becoming the friends of peace, would give my master, the emperor, infinite pain, and of commerce. They tell you of the calamities if he knew how hardly you thought of him! of war-its tragical events-the squandering away Sir, gentlemen appear to me to forget that they of your resources-the waste of the public treasure, stand on American soil; tliat they are not in the Briand the spilling of innocent blood. They tell you tish house of commons, but in the chamber of the that honor is an illusion! Now we see them exhibit-house of representatives of the United States; that ing the terrific forms of the roaring king of the forest. we have nothing to do with the affairs of Europe, the Now the meekness and humility of the lamb! They partition of territory and sovereignty there, except in are for war and no restrictions, when the adminis- so far as these things affect the interests of our countration is for peace. They are for peace and restric-try. Gentlemen transform themselves into the tions, when the administration is for war. You find Burkes, Chathams, and Pitts of another country, and them, sir, tacking with every gale, displaying the forgetting from honest zeal the interests of America, colors of every party, and of all nations, steady only engage with European sensibility in the discusin one unalterable purpose, to steer, if possible, sion of European interests. If gentlemen ask me if into the haven of power. I do not view with regret and horror the concentra During all this time the parasites of opposition do tion of such vast power in the hands of Bonaparte? not fail by cunning sarcasm or sly inuendo to throw I reply that I do. I regret to see the emperor of out the idea of French influence, which is known to China holding such immense sway over the fortunes be false, which ought to be met in one manner only, of millions of our species. I regret to see Great Briand that is by the lie direct. The administration of tain possessing so uncontrolled a command over all this country devoted to foreign influence! The ad- the waters of our globe. And if I had the ability to ministration of this country subservient to France! distribute among the nations of Europe their several Great God how is it so influenced! By what liga- portions of power and of sovereignty, I would say men, on what basis, on what possible foundation that Holland should be resusticated and given the does it rest? Is it on similarity of language? No! weight she enjoyed in the days of her Dewitts. I we speak different tongues, we speak the English would confine France within her natural boundaries, language. On the resemblance of our laws? No! the Alps, the Pyrenees and the Rhine, and make the sources of our jurisprudence spring from another her a secondary naval power only. I would abridge and a different country. On commercial intercourse? the British maritime power,raise Prussia and Austria No! we have comparatively none with France, Is to first rate powers, and preserve the integrity of the it from the correspondence in the genius of the two empire of Russia. But these are speculations. I governments? No! here alone is the liberty of man look at the political transactions of Europe, with the secure from the inexorable despotism which every single exception of their possible bearing upon us, as where else tramples it under foot. Where then is I do at the history of other countries or other times. the ground of such an influence? But, sir, I am in- I do not survey them with half the interest that I do sulting you by arguing on such a subject. Yet pre- the movements in South America, Our political reposterous and ridiculous as the insinuation is, it is lation is much less important than it is supposed to propagated with so much industry, that there are be. I have no fears of French or English subjugapersons found foolish and credulous enough to be-tion. If we are united, we are too powerful for the lieve it. You will, no doubt, think it incredible mightiest power in Europe, or all Europe combined. (but I have nevertheless been told the fact,) that an If we are separated and torn assunder we shall behonorable member of this house, now in my eye, come a prey to the weakest of them. In the latter has recently lost his election by the circulation of a dreadful contingency, our country will not be worth story in his district, that he was the first cousin of preserving. the emperor Napoleon. The proof of the charge Next to the notice which the opposition has found was rested on a statement of facts which was un- itself called upon to bestow upon the French em doubtedly true. The gentleman in question, it was peror, a distinguished citizen of Virginia, formerly alleged, had married a connexion of the lady of the president of the United States, has never for a mopresident of the United States, who was the inti-ment failed to receive their kindest and most remate friend of Thomas Jefferson, late president of spectful attention. An honorable member from the United States, who some years ago was in the Massachusetts, (Mr. Quincy) of whom I am sor habit of wearing red French breeches. Now taking ry to say it becomes necessary for me, in the course these premises as established, you, Mr. Chairman, of my remarks, to take some notice, has alluded to are too good a logician not to see that the conclusion him in a remarkable manner. Neither his retirement necessarily followed! from public office, his eminent services, nor his adThroughout the period he had been speaking of, vanced age, can exempt this patriot from the coarse the opposition had been distinguished, amidst all its assaults of party malevolence. No, sir, in 1801, he veerings and changes, by another inflexible feature snatched from the rude hands of usurpation the vio-the application of every vile epithet which our lated constitution of his country, and that is his rich language affords to Bonaparte. He has been crime. He preserved that instrument in form, and compared to every hideous monster and beast, from substance and spirit, a precious inheritance for ge that of the revelations to the most insignificant qua- nerations to come, and for this he can never be fordruped. He has been called the scourge of man- given. How impotent is party rage directed against kind, the destroyer of Europe, the great robber, him! He is not more elevated by his lofty residence, the infidel, and heaven knows by what other names, upon the summit of his own favorite mountain, than Really, gentlemen remind me of an obscure lady in he is lifted, by the serenity of his mind, and the a city not very far off, who also took it into her head, consciousness of a well spent life, above the malig in conversation with an accomplished French gen-nant passions and turmoils of the day. No! his own tleman, to talk of the affairs of Europe. She too beloved Monticello is not less moved by the storms spoke of the destruction of the balance of power, that beat against its sides, then he hears with comstormed and raged about the insatiable ambition of posure, if hears at all, the howlings of the whole the emperor; called him the curse of mankind, the British pack set loose from the Essex kennel. When destroyer of Europe. The Frenchman listened to the gentleman to whom I have been compelled to her with perfect patience, and when she had ceased allude, shall have mingled bis dust with that of hi said to her, with ineffable politeness: Madame, it abused ancestors, when he shall be consigued to blivion, or if he lives at all, shall live only in the, must." In and about the same time Henry's mission treasonable annals of a certain junto, the name of to Boston was undertaken. The flagitiousness of Jefferson will be hailed as the second founder of the that embassy has been attempted to be concealed by liberties of this people, and the period of his admi-directing the public attention to the price which the nistration will be looked back to as one of the happi- gentleman says was given for the disclosure. As if est and brightest epochs of American history. I beg any price could change the attrociousness of the atthe gentleman's pardon: he has secured himself a tempt on the part of Great Britain, or could extenumore imperishable fame. I think it was about this ate in the slightest degree, the offence of those citime four years ago that the gentleman submitted to tizens, who entertained and deliberated upon the the house of representatives an initiative proposition proposition! There is a most remarkable coincifor an impeachment of Mr. Jefferson. The house con-dence between some of the things which that man descended to consider it. The gentleman debated it states and certain events in the quarter alluded to. with his usual temper, moderation and urbanity. The In the contingency of war with Great Britain, it will house decided it in the most solemn manner, and al-be recollected that the neutrality and eventual sethough the gentleman had somehow obtained a se-peration of that section of the union was to be cond the final vote stood, one for the proposition, brought about. How sir, has it happened, since 117 against it! The same historic page that trans- the declaration of war, that British officers in mitted to posterity the virtues and the glory of Canada have asserted to American officers that this Henry the great of France, for their admiration and very neutrality would take place? That they have example, has preserved the infamous name of the so asserted can be established beyond controversy. fanatic assassin of that excellent monarch. The The project is not brought forward openly, with a same sacred pen that pourtrayed the sufferings and direct avowal, of the intention. No, the stock of crucifixion of the saviour of mankind has recorded, good sense and patriotism in that portion of the for universal execration, the name of him who was country is too great to be undisguisedly encounterguilty, not of betraying his country, but (a kindred ed. It is assailed from the masked batteries of crime) of betraying his God! friendship to peace and commerce on the one side, In one respect there is a remarkable difference be- and by the groundless imputation of opposite protween administration and the opposition-it is a sa-pensities on the other. The affections of the peocred regard for personal liberty. When out of pow-ple there are to be gradually undermined. The proer my political friends condemned the surrender of ject is suggested or withdrawn; the diabolical parJonathan Robbins; they opposed the violated liberties, in this criminal tragedy, make their appearty of the press, in the sedition law; they opposed ance or their exit, as the audience to whom they the more insidious attack upon the freedom of address themselves are silent, applaud or hiss. I the person under the more imposing garb of the was astonished, sir, to have lately read a letter, or alien law. The party now in opposition, then in pretended letter, published in a prominent print in power, advocated the sacrifice of the unhappy Rob-that quarter, written not in the fervor of party zeal, bins, and paased those two laws. True to our prin- but coolly and deliberately, in which the writer af ciples, we are now struggling for the liberty of our fects to reason about a separation, and attempts to seamen against foreign oppression. True to theirs, demonstrate its advantages to different sections of they oppose the war for this object. They have in-the union, deploring the existence of what he terms deed lately affected a tender solicitude for the liber-prejudices against it, but hoping for the arrival of ties of the people, and talk of the danger of standing the period when they shall be eradicated. But sir, armies, and the burden of taxes. But it is evi- I will quit this unpleasant subject; I will turn from dent to you, Mr. Chairman, that they speak in a fo-one, whom no sense of decency or propriety could reign idiom. Their brogue betrays that it is not restrain from soiling the carpet on which he treads," their vernacular tongue. What! the opposition, to gentlemen who have not forgotten what is due to who in 1798 and 1799, could raise an useless army themselves, the place in which we are assembled, nor to fight an enemy three thousand miles distant from to those by whom they are opposed. The gentlemen us, alarmed at the existence of one raised for a from North Carolina, (Mr. Pearson) from Connecti known specified object-the attack of the adjoining cut, (Mr. Pitkin) and from New York, (Mr. Biceckprovinces of an enemy. Is the gentleman from Mas-er,) have with their usual decorum, contended that sachusetts, who assisted by his vote to raise the ar- the war would not have been declared, but for the my of 25,000, alarmed at the danger of our liberties duplicity of France, in witholding an authentic infrom this very army! strument of repeal of the decrees of Berlin and MiI mean to speak of another subject, which I never lan; that upon the exhibition of such an instrument the think of but with the most awful considerations.-revocation of the orders in council took place; that. The gentleman from Massachusetts, in imitation of this main cause of the war, but for which it would some of his predecessors in 1799, has entertained us not have been declared, being removed, the admiwith cabinet plots, presidential plots, which are con-nistration ought to seek for the restoration of peace; jured up in the gentleman's own perturbed imagina-and that upon its sincerely doing so, terms compattion. I wish, sir, that anothor plot of a much more ible with the honor and interest of this country may serious kind-a plot that aims at the dismemberment be obtained. It is my purpose to examine, first into of our union, had only the same imaginary exist-the circumstances under which the war was declared, ence. But no man, who has paid any attention to secondly, into the causes for continuing it; and lastthe tone of certain prints, and to the transac-ly, into the means which have been taken or ought tions in a particular quarter of the union for several to be taken to procure peace. But, sir, am really years past, can doubt the existence of such a plot. so exhausted that, little as I am in the habit of ask. It is far, very far from my intention to charge the opposition with such a design. No, I be-! lieve them generally incapable of it. I can not *It is due to Mr. Clay to observe, that one of the say as much for some who are unworthily as-most offensive expressions used by Mr. Q. an exsociated with them in the quarter of the union to pression which produced disgust on all sides of the which I refer. The gentleman cannot have forgotten house, has been omitted in that gentleman's rehis own sentiment, uttered even on the floor of this ported speech, which in other respects has been much house, peaceably if we can, FORCIBLY if we softened-EDITOR. |