But said the gentleman, at the close of the Revolutionary war we alone triumphed over the arms of Great Britain; defeat befell all the rest of the world. I will not contest that point with him, as he is old enough to speak from experience.
We were informed by the gentleman, that it was the Berlin decree, and not the Orders in Council, had destroyed our trade to the Continent of Europe. Here too we are directly at points. The gentleman has not made himself master of his case, or has totally mistaken his evidence. I hold a document in my hand which, perhaps, the gentleman may object to, as coming from the opposition party in Great Britain; it is the depositions of sundry merchants of great wealth and respectability, taken before the British House of Lords, on the subject of the Orders in Council. Here Mr. W. read from the depositions the following questions and answers:
"If the American embargo were removed, and the Orders in Council still continued in force, in that case would the witness resume his shipments?
"Because I do conceive, that there would be such great impediments, indeed a total annihilation of trade from the United States of America to the Continent of Europe, that I could not expect to receive any returns for the goods I sent out; and another reason would be my apprehension that a war between the United States and this country would be the consequence of those Orders in Council.
"What is the reason that the Orders in Council prevent the witness sending our cotton goods in ships in ballast?
"I believe I stated my apprehension that they might produce a war between the two countries; another reason was, I could not expect to get remittances, and a total annihilation of the trade between the United States of America and the Continent of Europe, from whence a great part of my remittances must be derived.
"If the American embargo in general were taken off, and the Orders in Council to be continued, would his trade in that case revive?
"I certainly should feel no inducement to export goods to America while the orders continued.
"I should apprehend that hostilities between this country and America would be the consequence of continuing the Orders in Council.
"Would the Orders in Council have any other effect as to discouraging the trade?