st, be useless. But the greater the danger of war, the
more incumbent was it on the government to unite public opinion in
support of it; and this would best be effected by observing a line of
conduct which would furnish no just cause of hostility. The commercial
discriminations proposed were of a hostile and irritating nature,
might render war certain, would be considered by many as unnecessary,
and might impair that unanimity in which the great strength of the
country consisted. It was submitted to the gentlemen to decide whether
it was wise to press their system through, with so small a majority as
was in its favour.

The resolutions were defended on the principle, that though not in
themselves contributing to the national defence, they would not
prevent the adoption of such other measures as the state of things
might render necessary. If war should take place, they could do no
harm. But war must at some time be succeeded by peace: and they would
form a valuable basis for negotiation.[15]

[Footnote 15: In the course of this debate the resolutions
were still considered as calculated to promote the
interests, not of the United States, but of France. Mr. Ames
said they had _French_ stamped upon the very face of them.
This expression produced a warm retort from Colonel Parker.
He wished there was a stamp on the forehead of every person
to designate whether he was for France or Britain. For
himself he would not be silent and hear that nation abused
to whom America was indebted for her rank as a nation. He
was firmly persuaded that but for the aid of France in the
last war, those gentlemen now on the floor who prided
themselves in abusing her, would not have had an opportunity
in that place of doing it. This sentiment produced a clap in
the galleries. This indecorum was severely reprobated, and a
motion was made to clear the galleries. Although the debate
shows that the degree of sensibility excited by this
disorder was extremely different in the different parties,
it was justified by none, and the galleries were cleared.]

[Sidenote: An embargo law.]

On the 21st of March, Mr. Sedgewick's motion authorizing the President
to lay an embargo was negatived by a majority of two voices; but in a
few days, the consideration of that subject was resumed, and a
resolution passed, prohibiting all trade from the United States to any
foreig