Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Speech of the Hon. James Emott, in the House of Representatives of the United States, Delivered the 12th January, 1813: On the Bill in Addition to the Act Entitled, "an Act to Raise an Additional Military Force," And for Other Purposes
According to my best judgm nt, sir, this war was improperly commenced, and is unnecessarily continued; and I shall now proceed to c xplain the grounds of that judgment by an exami nation ofthe causes of the war, as they existed at its commence ment, and as they now remain. As this is the first time that the subject has been brought into debate, and indeed the earliest opportunity which has been allowed, of an open discussion, I' am sure I shall be pardoned for going into detail, if I even should be tedious, as I know I shall be uninteresting. It is a right which I think I may claim, to state distinctly my reasons and motives for the votes which I have given, and may give, in relation to the war, after what has been said in this house, and out of it, about the opposition to the views of the administration.
In making this examination, I shall pass in review, in as brief a manner as possible, the three great subjects of complaint against great-britain: her orders of blockade, her orders in council, and her practice of impressment. But for one or all ofthcse, the war certainly would not have been declared and I may assume that but for one or all of these, the war ought not to be continued. I cannot indeed but recollect, that the gentle man from Louisiana, has mentioned the conquest of Canada, and of the Floridas, as causes for the continuance of the war. As respects the Canadas, I have heretofore understood that their reduction might be a consequence of the war, but never till now did I know, that it was to be shifted into a cause for carrying it oh. And in regard to the Floritlas, I will not consent that their conquest should, in the existing relations of this country, heeithera cause 01 a consequence of war I will confess to you, that an invasion of the colonies of Spain at this time, under the stale excuses of convenience, or necessity, strikes me with ab, horrence. It is not only against the genius of our government; and as I hope the character of 01111 people, but if persisted ia, Will be a foul blot in our national history.
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