We could hardly ship any of our cotton or sugar to sell, and the laws against the slave trade meant that the price of slaves has become very high. These decrees prevent us from trading with the West Indies and the continent of Europe. Now, the British are restricting our trade with their decrees and orders in council. My husband runs a shipping business and he says those were good years. Being of French heritage, I was nervous when the United States acquired Louisiana, but as farmers in Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky started shipping their goods down the Mississippi River, our city prospered. I remember years ago when the Spanish restricted trade from New Orleans, then the French took control, and finally the United States. The British are ruining our trade with their restrictive acts. Louisiana is the newest state in the union - just admitted April 30! Of course it took three weeks for us to find out - it takes awhile for news to arrive here, you understand! Although we have not yet elected any Senators and Representatives, many of us do have definite opinions about going to war with Great Britain. Good day! My name is Josette Dugas and I live in New Orleans.

It would be better to go down swinging than to meekly submit and hand over what our great fathers like George Washington fought so hard to attain. We would lose our honor and self-respect, and that would only encourage Great Britain and others to continue doing whatever they feel like. I say the question is not what we would lose by going to war, but what we would lose by NOT declaring it. How would that be possible? The British military could take every major city along the coast and still not conquer this country! How could a foreign army conquer the Allegheny Mountains? Didn't we beat the British before during the Revolution? The militia of Kentucky alone could invade the British colonies of Canada and take them! We could raise a million men to fight, if only Congress would agree to do so now. They think the odds are against us - that the might of Great Britain's military would crush us. Those that oppose the war argue over what could possibly be gained by declaring war. I say we stand up for that flag and make them respect it! What kind of nation allows its citizens to be kidnapped and forced into a foreign navy? What is the point of fighting a war for independence only to roll over and submit to the whims of bullies and tyrants? Without honor, what do you have? Nothing! How can we live with ourselves if we allow Great Britain to steal our sailors, take our ships and encourage the Indians to shoot our settlers? The British don't respect our flag, it means nothing to them. The most valuable treasure the United States' has is its honor. I have assembled a bloc of fellow representatives who are in favor of war with Great Britain, and I am doing everything I can to encourage Congress to strengthen the military in preparation for war.

The British are trying to keep our country down and we must fight them. Our country may be young and the future is bright - if we have the courage to face it. People like me represent the youth and vigor that is making our country a great nation. I am from Kentucky, and the youngest speaker of the House of Representatives ever to be elected.

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