"Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the present Embargo be continued, and every regulation therein shall be in full force until the twentieth day of June next:"
Mr. Parker observed, that, although he was much in favor of the Embargo when it was first enacted, yet, at the present time, he thought it would be improper to continue it.
At that time, a system was formed by a majority of the House, for carrying into effect measures that might counteract the nefarious practices of the British Government on our commerce; that the first object which presented itself to him was to lay an embargo, in order that the large fleets and armies of the British in the West Indies, who were there on a design to conquer the islands of our friends, and had committed robberies on neutral property, that would disgrace a banditti of pirates; and, in order that they should be deprived of the supplies which they might require, as well as to prevent the further capture of our vessels, and treating the American flag and citizens with insult and cruelty, I thought that would be the stepping-stone to other measures which were concerted to oppose the insults of our enemies, and doing justice to our citizens, whose property had been robbed and persons abused by British armed vessels; that this was to be followed by a bill which had passed the House of Representatives by a great majority for breaking off all commerce with Great Britain after November next, and this was to be followed by an arrestation of British property, to reimburse our citizens for the losses we had sustained; that, as the second measure was rejected by the voice of the Vice President in Senate, which had broken the chain; and, as the President had appointed a pacific Envoy Extraordinary to the British Court, and as the fleets and armies of the British in the West Indies, under Sir John Jervis and Sir Charles Grey, had captured most of the French islands, he thought it would be improper to continue the Embargo, the more so as the President, by slipping in and arresting the progress of the Representatives, no doubt, with a certain hope of the continuance of peace, and being responsible therefor, he deemed it best not to interfere, and to give up every further prospect of hostility, until the event of the mission to Britain shall be known.
Another reason that operated very forcibly with him, was, that our French friends were much in want of provisions; and, as there was no prospect of discriminations in their favor, which he had wished for, he should give it as his opinion, that it would be improper to continue the Embargo after the 25th instant.
From the commencement of the administration of this Government, certain gentlemen, and particularly those of the Eastern States, had been charged with regulating their political conduct by local considerations. They had disregarded the interest of every part of the United States, but the particular districts of country from which they came. The charge was now reversed: those districts have suffered infinitely beyond their neighbors, by the effects of those measures of which we complain; and, notwithstanding all this, the Representatives of those districts have all at once so totally changed, have become so tame, so torpid, as to be regardless of the interests and sufferings of their immediate constituents. Nor (said he) is this all; our kind Southern brethren have, from pure disinterested benevolence and with a most acute sensibility, determined to procure for our constituents that redress to which we are indifferent.
It had been said, that the gentlemen who were in favor of indemnification had opposed every measure of energy. They had, indeed, opposed certain measures to which they would give a very different appellation. They had not only favored, but had been the authors of every measure of respectable efficiency, as well in respect to force, as the means of defraying the expenses which our situation had rendered it necessary should be incurred. He need not say who had opposed those measures.
Mr. Fitzsimons hoped that the House would not agree to the resolution. He stated the numerous inconveniences which had arisen from the measure already. The system of British conduct was now altered. There were at present many ships detained in the harbors of the United States, that were cleared out before the Embargo was laid. Their detention, as far as he could learn, was contrary to the common practice of nations, in cases of that nature.
Mr. W. Smith said, that the reason why the Embargo had been laid on was, the piracies of Britain. The second orders of the 8th of January last had produced no alteration for the better in the conduct of her privateers. We had yet heard nothing from the agents despatched to the West Indies; and we ought not to revoke the Embargo till some change of system, on the part of Britain, should warrant the measure; we knew nothing about the actual state of matters in the West Indies. The newspapers were filled with stories of releasing American vessels in one island, and of capturing them in another. One captain had come to this port, and told a story to the editor of a newspaper. He then went to another publisher of a paper, and told a story quite opposite! The House could make nothing of such a farrago—such a jumble of contradictory reports. The public sentiment was against taking off the Embargo.
Mr. Wadsworth was against the motion. It had been said that American ships did not arrive from the West Indies. They did arrive in great numbers, and as quickly as could be expected. From this he inferred that the ravages of British privateers had, in a great measure, ceased. Insurance at present is not higher than ten per cent. A million of bushels of salt will be wanted this season in the American States; and they will be a million of dollars dearer, if the Embargo is kept on, than if it is taken off. Mr. W. said, that he had got home all his importations for this year. He had nothing, therefore, to apprehend on his own account, from the continuance of the Embargo. It was his firm opinion, and he could declare it upon his honor to be so, that, if the Embargo continued, the value of his own imports would rise one hundred per cent. He believed that salt would rise to three dollars a bushel.
Mr. Nicholas had approved of the Embargo when imposed; and he now hoped that it would be repealed by as great a majority as that which voted for laying it on.