Before he went further, he would observe that, admitting (which he did not admit) that there had been solid grounds of objection against the British Treaty, before it was ratified, yet they ought now to be closed. It had received a full discussion at the time; it had been carried into effect, was become the law of the land, and was generally approved of by the country. Why, then, endeavor to stir up the feelings of the public against it by alleging it to be just cause of complaint? If the committee wanted any proof of the approbation which that instrument had received, he thought it might be gathered from the general approbation which had been given of the administration of the late President on his retirement from office, in doing which the people had doubtless taken into view the whole of his conduct. Nor did he think the people had shown any hostility to the Treaty in their late election of members to that House. Indeed, he believed that the approbation which the Treaty received increased in proportion as the subject came to be understood. Admitting further, that the Treaty had changed the existing state of things between Great Britain and France, by having granted commercial favors to Great Britain; by the 2d article of our treaty with France, the same favors would immediately attach to France, so that she could have no reason to complain on that ground. Indeed France had herself new modified the treaty between that country and this, and had taken to herself what she deemed to be the favors granted to Great Britain. [Mr. S. read the decree on this subject of 2d March last.] Mr. S. said, he believed he had examined all the observations of the gentleman from Virginia, relative to the Treaty, which were essential to the subject under consideration. He did not wish to go much farther on the present occasion, because he agreed with him, that it was proper they should keep themselves as cool and calm as the nature of the case would admit; but he thought whilst so much deference was paid to the feelings of France, some respect ought to be paid to the feelings of America. He hoped the people of America would retain a proper respect and consideration for their national character; and however earnestly he wished that the differences subsisting between the two countries might be amicably settled, yet, he trusted that our national dignity would never be at so low an ebb as to submit to the insults and indignities of any nation whatever. In saying this, he expressed his hearty wish to keep the door of negotiation with France unclosed; but at the same time he strongly recommended to take every necessary step to place us in a situation to defend ourselves, provided she should still persist in her haughty demeanor.