Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

Last evening at the Society for Free Debate, held at Hunter's Hotel, the question, "Would it be better policy under existing circumstances to lay an embargo, than to arm in defence of our carrying trade?" was debated before the most numerous concourse of citizens which have yet attended.

After a lengthy debate, it was determined as the sense of a very large majority of the meeting, that under existing circumstances, it would be better policy to arm in defence of our carrying trade than to lay an embargo.

The discussion of the question naturally calling into view the conduct of our government towards France, inspired the meeting with a glow of patriotic feelings; and, after the question had been determined and the business of the society finished by an adjournment to the next regular meeting, it was proposed that the citizens then assembled (amounting to at least four hundred and fifty) should express by a vote of the meeting, their sentiments respecting the conduct of our government.

Col. Morton being unanimously called to the chair—On motion, resolved almost unanimously, that a committee be appointed to Address the President and Congress of the United States in behalf of the citizens there assembled, expressing their full approbation of the conduct of the Executive of the United States with respect to France—their entire confidence in his patriotish firmness, and, their determination to support and defend at all hazards, the honor, the freedom, and the independence of their country.

Resolved, that Col. Jacob Morton, Col Ebenezer Stevens, Nicholas Eveiston, John Cozine, and Josiah Ogden Hoffman, be the committee to draft and forward the above address.

JACOB MORTON, Chairman.

John E. Seaman, Secretary.