Norfolk gazette and publick ledger — Norfolk [Va.], 1810-02-26 00:00:00, page 2

.
I UstHe (nflMMTM of our
■I tu mar adveraary.’ It it
Maid that all the fatal r»n«* yu*n>-rs which
*H*;' tiii** 'SjB^TlMfSf from the ay*
Cdd non-intercourse—that i| baa
itialy npon the farmer nd toe
rssuifc the prices ol out products,
stably ahMD > y • genii man from
l>rttr i) haa embarrassed the f»ir
rader while it anriebed the dishonest
i, and boa thrown the carrying trade'
i the Kanda of our nvaj, to tb«
^IKr American merchant. It is now
l-r*dtMS not answer h single <d>ject
liUwkt intended, bnt has bed a roost de
ibtAoebce on public morals—for although
, ah* <Wwntmu, mm have patiently sub
m i|s operation, yet it is a notorious Let
vai and lucrative trade has been e»r
nad no throng!) the rorrupt streams ot fraud and
If any further argument he necessiry to
i propriety of an immediate repeal o! the
area law, I might appeal to the report
iof the treasury lately made to tins
he explicitly iferlires, that as it
NnefRuumt-^it is ust less. Wisdom
( policy then dictates prompt repeal of such a taw.
These, air, are the provisions of the bill which
-Should receive mv support, if they stood alone ; but
i■RSr
innately the amendment proposed to separate
them from*Uios* parts of the hill which hear very
Unfavourably upon bur commerce, hat been rej ct
od and wo are reduced to the uilemni < of losing what
yre approve or of adopting what is believed to he
Cxtreuieiy inspolitick. It becomes necessary then
to examine with candid attention this new commer
cial scheme, (hie American navigation law, as it is
Called, which see are told proffers so many adv.mt
ngea to the nation. The plan now proposed must
he tomgfed either as a measure nt coercion to cori
^1 SPfeHigerenta to revoke their orders ar.d da
eptfs—nr as a system of commercial regular orr*
to* a slats of peace-—or a measure dictated hy sound
policy . ip contemplation of approaching war—and
tton in one of those views it ought not to > e
’ for it IS ioeorrerl to puss a law utterting
hole commerce of the nation lor tin* purpose
periuint. In the course of the«i*s<u»
gentlemen otiu to have given up the idea
>0—t is however plum that the person
ed the toll meant to invigorate it with that
nr one seulon vests in the president an .in
y to abrogate the s*holeey*)<-nt upon *h<- event
igerenis Withdrawing thw orders and de
sente nv>nt> r ns provided uy the piesvnt
S*ritw. Whet then are its merits in
point of view I Sir, it Call have noettert. Will
is srhsine press (hoe* heavily npon Great Brit nn,
than tit* omnipotent arm or em'Mrgn » Can you ex
periiitetfperr wit) yield because yoo send tier the
pecewirtes oi Ills and tiring away tier menu nr lures
in American vest-ls only--when she woold not sor
^ »*n4er, even under a total sovpens on of youi sup
plies end your int-rflirtion of >1) Ii. de with her lor
Upwards of a year ! i cihiW appreciate the argument
Ojf thy advoc ates art a new system if they prore-ded
gpou the inc rease of the power intended to be appli
ed, hot 1 rannot rompreheivJ how the less power is
te effect wbgi lbs greeter was unab{e trf produce.
As«mWg<»«ndnon-iotereoBrs* have faded, royou
*ay expect this more impotent effort will terminate
js rbsjris end disappointment. As a measure cul
%*htt«d to redress uor wrongs ! have no rotifideoce
fs it, end hopeless indeed is the situation of this
juihble if they art Id rest their relief upon such tnise
mbUpedierf,. , .
* *»M|> will u«a ucri| surmunnij mn i’
•dm the result of wisdomand reflection, which has
thus mgilPred a cniniusercial system for the United
~ ' s, securing toour own ritiscns the whole tnoe
■■eotsfrtrV. Under its proleetion we ore to en
exclusively *11 the advantage of reporting the
ietSoFmur mil *Ud of importing by a direct
f nui
r*4*in,Amefic.m vessels all the products *n>) m*
uufaetere* of Britain, and France end their depen
which oar wants r (pure. Ibis indeed is *
hearing
prospect—this it a state of things
wished for. After sorter mg so Inna
be
Italy c»mltA*t af the two great tielh
s it at length discovered th.it by a simpl.
’regulation we have tbe poivcr 10 oi.uiupo
b« whole commerce of this new world, and
adversaries over to their good ht-hsvinor.
[be my misfortune, hot I confess 1 am slow
■?mx*J** I eannol caibrace this doctrine however
pltin and orthodox it may appear to others. True
litstbat W8 may by n munripsl regulation prohi
TOtbe exportation tVnm, and the»mp«rtatn;i» into.
y akrept m oar own vessels—this 13
iriangs tu every independent nation
to bone. If then after we set the
should retaliate this system upon
teOVira ran hnve'nii just ground
and it dues not appeal improbable
prompted by interest or pride, may parsue
'coarse. How will <a>r trade then standi Sir,
I If (•retaliated, co operating with the Bri
resttd Frenrhdetrees, wilt in, thepiesmt
>hs world close all,the a venae* of commerce
lli* nvtion, and wr shall awal|e. trom our
•* is 10* deadly embrace of embargo,
id than that from wr.ubwe just estop
be removed at oar pha
dissolve tbr 1 harm by our
wtal epell can'fHily be over
■fWtodot bur adept* try. Will prudent
paderufcc sogncvt a tips, for a premium
ay the c*< luamn «frb# paltry amount of
■(ryeiUm our trsttef— li.shall
f^gtoire Bat, air, it *{>
that this should cv r be called
torrgbhitr nbr trudein, peart,
.l#rft ante tm
to
s it mtist
MMKi
ntawa ...„ ,
on importation* In American vessels,
reusing the foMfetat tonnage duty. Thai obvi
pirn which c*n«mrrty be npirN in etc* pc;
lb* • item ion ot the oldest rsimm ml nation in the
world,wilt Ht owe secure to her the whole eaifying
trade, to nod from such depots as she Ofay appoint
—and Amt-rican vessel* wiH he converted i»‘w> mere
ligMersflBthe tlrUisll merchant ships. This May
he the eoiutf tali our deepsperuiati.iws upon a navi
gation la W-—and the ccmsequ* ares will then he se
v<r*Ijf felt not only by the American merchant, bat
hy llit larmer and planter in ll»*- necessary deprecia
tion of oar products. A system of fruud will then
cuoimewe— British annuurturrs wtil he smuggled
into this country in spile of all ih - vigilance and ef
forts ol your revenue office is—toe treasury will he
defrauded of the duties, and yntr citizens uurthened
with an increase of price in proportion. These, sir,
are some of the evils which drill probably follow in
the train of this hill, should it over become a |a»
of tile (and.
An honourable peottenvin from Mwvlind (Mr.
Key,) Ims remarked th.it .n his opinion (.rest Bri
t ill would not relabels because this measure will
pres* more severely upon her idver«.iry, which util
be $o far advantage r.is to {Witold as to aaUsly h-r.
If this hypothesis be true, it is a strong atguipent
agrmst passing the fill cm the gioi'inio* coercing iwi
lein, for if it presents stirh a boon to her, ;■.* t.
outweigh thi^inconvenieiire that she mig it other,
wise suffer—and tills her views again <t her enemy
—«t will operate rather is an *ncnurageir> tit to per
Sist inthe rigid execution ul her orders in council.
This view *i the su' jei t mcreuS s my rep.i«rwme
to the measure and confirms iny opinion of its im
policy.
Hulsir it bus Wft further observed that w* arc
probably on t!>'tve of war. '1 his nfindu -•'$ the
most interesting view of our situation, and m.juln
induce toe ppregentutves at the people to took f,,r
ward to the cant*4|ueac'«g thit inxy re mimai-ly *•
calculated <>o from this measure, on toe h'tppntn
til lh it etfpl. Il war he realty nuieipau-d—i. it
beg riougly hellevedlhat an appeal to arm- u(l,
M>on be made—if this plan * e ini-tided only to fill
Up the Space ‘ two n toe prevent inonien and a
Mate ol actual war, soon to » e realized, tr u I con
jjure thig house not inshut their eyes atonal the tu
: illdug COQSKJMeor a that in iv ensue. J>;•, nt tniily
'lays aft. r tun oil is passed, American vev.als, la
| b n vith American pr..duct> U> the amount of in i
it my million*, will be in Brush pints, and not a
, ilitusb vesgVl found in -m Am ncen p ot. it Bn
tain 'at so perfidious as bio* l*as fieen otten repre
sented, and m«aiis to pursue a hostile course, you
give her the power y oris slrok- to annihilate al
most the whole commercial capital of this nation ;
or if she does not choose to se-ge and condemn it as
prize in a slate nt wai, but only desires to boW a se
curity ngainit your making war upon her. in rot
ourgoupon Ante) lean vessels becomes in her baud a
most latal instrument, which she may use without
r sk, lor we shall hold no eount.T-pieilge. In con
templation ofa liiittsu war, tins' measure cannot he
justified by any principle ol policy—its whole ope
ration 18 favouia le lo om adversary—ours is all
the hazard—ours is all the loss—hers ill the '.ene
lit. Strange infatuation! Althe very motaeni we
talk of war, we are about to place tmin< ns supplies
and mcali til-ble treasure in the hands of the enemy,
to strengthen her arm a id weaken our*. If war he
seriously expected this is the very reverse of the
course that statesmen generally adopt—wisdom to
such cas-dict ates the necessity of keeping at home
and earefnlly bushatniuig toe i. sputitta and wealth
nl th> nalnm.
in me. course or tm- oetwna we neve heart some
thing on the nld tt'e.ne of submission lo bnusli
oP«Jers and Frtn b deer***. ami ic would sceu> as if
the prohibition nl indirect tradr- was considered in
the nature ot 4 protest against submission and a
saKouy to rwr honour. Realty, sir, this reasoning
i» too reuotd for toy romprch-nsion. But can it
be a correct view oi the subject? We claim th
riph! ot c ,rrrising both direct and indirect trade—
the orders <:»ui dfcrc*A abridge both, and we are a
bout to declare that nur merchants shall use only
the dirtri—consequently wo aimudon a part oi our
right ; andy t this I am told »s not submission. I
ask, is it more submission to declare that our citi
zens may freely us< both riphts than to restricttbrm
to one only } But, sir, 1 have not yet heard one so
litary reason assigned l y the advocates «l this bill,
lortbe abandoning of the indirect trade. \VV con
tend for our com menial rights, I presume, under
the belief and upon t. e principle that the Hi- tenant
derives a per oniaiy benefit from the pursuit of com
men e, and that through his interprise, the culti
vators of t’ e soil may obtain a reward lor th'ir in
dustry. It is • fact well ascertained, hat even un
der all tire embarrassments of the late season, tbo
American merchants have earned on > lucrative in
direct ir.itle with Europe, by which they have been
enrtrhed nroi the prices of our products anvanced to
the great relief of the farmer and planter. Why
shall we lop otf this iiuitlul nraneh ) Why prohibit
our citizens tt«m reaping the harvest, whirk ihes-a
s»n prescnis to their hand. Rather repeal the non
intercourse—remove »U shackles from the. hands
of commerce—leave your merchants at liberty to
exercise their industry, ingenuity and enterprise
in their own way in this manner, and in this alone
yon can compels with Britain.in a commercial r«n
test, and the happy result of that competition will
soon he the tilling of the national treasury. Ap
peal to facts, consult experience, and we shall not
err in judging upon this subject, I ask whether,
under alt theetnhamssinenls abroad, and prohibiti
ons at home, Ameriran ships were ever in greater
demand than dating the Iasi fall and present winter.
My inl'CniMtton derived from sources which f be
ihgre tfoUicnuc, assures me that every vessel is en
gaged. Do* s a«t this far} prove that there are ma
ny uvenues through which American commerce
| tinds a safe passage I ft is undeniably true, and is
easily demonstrated, end it necessarily results from
the unprrradented stele of Jhurnpe. The ships of
France, Spain, Portugal, fPUand, Denmark -and
Sweden are swept from the ore no. The British and
A nh: nr an-flags a At alone foundon the highway of
n»)|«hs|: rltfji «^toecii#»y W «R ibs intercourse U
'2m?*,
Wt*
nihflu op
I rwinut flow my observations without ndvming
to lb* Sentiments expressed by mnu gentlemen, ia
favotnr of an inHnedwle appeal to arms. The q««*
li«n» is »ot whether we have cause of Mr, hot whe
ther it is the interest of ibe United States at this
moment to pledge into the vortex of European
madness and ambition ? True, we have suffered
wrongs, and our commercial rights are violated
y both Ikitiin and Fraure— hut it is equally true,
that we live in days that have no parrallel in the
records of histnty. When tbe old world is convuls
ed and shaken to its centre, when ancient kingdoms
and empires are overthrown, and new erected on
tht ii mi s m rapid &u. cession—When a deadly war
i»t ext', rntination has been so long waging between
the two great powers of the ejrth, in the course Of
which one has engrossed all jurisdiction upou the
land, and the other has retaliated in usurping the
dominion of the sea—was it reasonably to be ex
pected 'hat this nation, connected with l oth thro’
the medium of commerce, should escape with' ut
feeling something ot the shnrk ? Yet survey our
onotry—-comp-tre it with the «■ retched condition
"f Em ope, nuu answer, whether we are not the
heppiest nation in the world f And do we not owe
this t ■ a slate of peace and neutrality ? Owe aban
don tii t curse and engage in this mighty contest
—-on e . nt.tnf.le tins nation in E'trop-an politicks
-ni'i European j'iiaiKes—and you will find prospe
rity and .spjotiess lied ; —even liberty ami oulepen
neo 'e will »e jeopar.l'a" t. Sir, a wise adtnfnistra
tion will nr »er nrj;- lew nil ton into a war, unless
in a cause that addresses . fell ; tamfv to t' e f ei'in, s
of the great fcoov ,4 ttie peopV. J r * ulus of s
go cerumen*.—t e ednrati-n umi habits *rt the natt
on, aie elf oojt >sel to war. , xrept w -u neressai v
It" the tf l n r „| the country. Ir. such a rasa a
untied ph tl nx ot freemen wof i * found mvincit’e
■ nd irrstslv'e. |i war i.e l-dt ia our own choice
this is it * most iiMuspi i-ius to iu, nt to make the
exp t on-til, ivilbout any army—without nav.il pre
par..lion ai».l with id empty treasury. When the
pri si den' .nutiMiimauurt in chief trli us that hr is
y-1 hoi • Ui! out the olive brunch, end that be has
om.unced to the British go. Ptnincnl Ills willing
r"'>i to receive and hear auollier messenger of peace,
h > v wonlctir become the character of this govern
in- *n , to dismiss at the month of our cannon, that
n s*rni;i r when he approaches our shore ? The de
1 'Sion of this great question however, tn<y not be
left looifr votes ; the storm may come sooner than
wi imi m Mkiir.
Prudence, therefore, cnmnwds As to prepire far
such ;in ■ vent, and my vote shall not be wauling to
mdeveiy measure of preparation and defence which
iv judgment t<:!!s me ts proper and practicable.—
; Ami i f,avy tie - to:!. stfontiJ 'nce that whenever the
solemn appeal shall be made, those whom I have the
hnnr>r>r t;> rej res. trt will meet it as beconit a freemen
"h'l 'bv.* the v.ilu oi tijHir rights and are ready
rod willing to ri-trud them.
rRiDAY, February IS.
M ns. H A.MILION ’S C LA IM.
The tumee rvsolved ilseii into a comnaittee
oi t e whole, Mr. BassMt intlo-chair, on tlie re
pnrt oft! e romniiite of rlatuas «n the petition of
Lliaab 'th Hamilton, widow of Alexander Hamil
ton. praying 'or the compensation qu* ti> ter de
ceased husband.
f 11os report is one of the class of those favoura
ble to live ptey-ss oi the petitioners on grounds oi
eq iiiy, bui Ordering. h> < „use they are barren by the
I statute id hiortuiions, that they then for. ought
: not in be w.ioted.1
l- . . ** , . ■* . .
• .it. .oy me rommuiet 01
claims is lollops :
“ Ri-S"Jved,Th«,t the prayer of the petitioner
ougol out to he granted.”
1 he report was »nppi»rtfd by Messrs. Montgo
mery, V .irmioi, H' hns, and Baron, on the ground
that the late gen. Hamilton had no Haim on the
government unoer lire resolutions of the Oid Con
gress ; l.rfHUse he was on the !25li> of Nov. I78‘2, a
delegate in Congress, and by the tith artirle of the
ronteiteration, mtnpable of holding at the same
time a military roimjnssion. He was, in that con
gress, a member (if not tire chairman) ol the com
mittee which reported the resolutions under which
ms heirs are now said to he entitled to compen
sation. Had no statute of limitations ever been
passed, therefore, if was said that general Hamilton
or his heirs had no claim on the government; be
cause, in accepting a seat in congress, be had vir
tually resigned hip commission before the dose of
the war. The case might lie a hard one : hut there
were hundreds of cases at least equally so, and cages
too m which the sudertrs had not, cs gen. Hamil
ton bail, subsequently enjoyed lucrative employ
ments by the favour ot his country. It was said
that congress ought to be just betore they were ge
nerous. Before liiey grained a claim ol this doubt
ful diameter, influenced by (he i haracur or stand
ing of the individual, thry should relieve the impo
verished old soldiers, who daily begged ot them tor
a' pittance ol Ulead, whose claims were equally just
and whose necessities were much more pressing.
Mr. Boyd spoke in favour of the report ol th*
committee. Either the statute of lim.tations was
just or it whs unjust. It unjust it ought to be le
pealed; if just, congress ought to he careful bow
they made exceptions in favour of particular
riaims.
Messrs. Johnson, Gholson, D-wson, Sheffey,
Gold, Key, Bukin, and Gardemer opposed the re
port of therommmee. It was said that gen. Ha
milton's having rereived a brevet commission at
the close of the war was evidence of his having been
considered m service until the end of the war ; tor
unites h* had, such a commission could not have
been issued to him. But a ebon time before tl fj
peace, he wua seen at the bead of his regiment gal
Unity storming a redoubt at the wigs of York, and
contributed nut a little In the capture of Cornwallis
and bit army. By accepting a seat in Congress be
did not resign bis commission, but held himself lia
ble <o La called into entire at any tune necessary
But if ''fee had, from th* best of nioliyes, accepted
a seat in coogrrss, and thereby resigned Ibis com
mission,« laid that hit beirs ooghl not there
fore to be desme^of the- compensation equitably
dm to him. jjfHSrett had extended the hand eft*
I Coontde Grasse, whu fj
claim ; but JJitiT father hffl
ifc*4,attbt
m
limitation*-) w»S oWj f.nnlb t^^is';--(.IrtPVha I
vir* oi his country," which prompted hitfrWdM
(i seat in congress* Tw statute of liinfUtioiis,
*m ftpa, was never intended to bur cnaghSi fi
discharging a jest claim, bat merely to picveat
accounting officers of thfe treasury from allowing aft
the old add perhaps fraudulent claims which tflRifth
have been press- d upon them. Every gesllttnljn
who spoke dwelt upon the obduracy of tmrijMm'
injustice, as it was termed, which could refaasiMp
the claim of the war worn soldier, the romdHjl|p
on due to him for his assistance in atchktmgUss
liberties of his roontry.
Uefoir the question was taken nn the repnffptW
committee rose,reported progresSRnd obtainedleavy
to sit again. m
And the house sojourned to Monday. Jtdf
Monday, February 19, 1810. S
REPORT W,
Of the committee to whom was referred the wieS
m«rial of the Stockholder* of the Bank of the
United States.
weiia, uhm reicrreo to a commute* of the whole
house to-morrow.
The rommitt ■« to whom was referred «be petiti
on of die stockholders of the bank of the United^
Si des, beg lease Id submit the following Report; W
That in proceeding to the consideration of the
h ■ petition, yonr committee instructed their chitr-'
oi.n to aldr ss the sec rt tary of the treasnry, request
ing him to furnish stirh information or observation!
. as he might think proper in relation to the subject
! 'isHtter thereof, ns connected with the financial and
] commercial interests of the United States, fii te
| ;>!y to which, the secretary, by bis letter to rh!
i chamnan, referred your committee to his former re
i pm-* on the said subject, made to the Senate of tba
U. States, in obedience to the ord-r-of that house.
^ our committee have been attended by agents of
the pelftt-mers, who tn addition to the matters con
tained in the petition h ive suggested to yoar com
mittee, that the object .uftbe petitioners was to ob
tain the renewal of the charter in its present form ;
that for this renewal the bank is willing to n»sk«^:
compensation either by loans at a rate of interest*
or by a sum of money to be agreed upon, or hy an
increase of the capital stork Sy a number of share!
to be taken ami subscribed for by the United Stales
to an amount afii quite u» the cetopetuattoa to bk
agteed upon for such reoeual.
These agents also suggested, that they war* fully
authorised und empowered to offer and conclude thn
terms specifically connected withthose propositions.
V our mmmitle not feeling themselves authorised
to enter into such terms, and judging that tm» ex
tent (li those propositions would Belter apply to tli!
details of a bill, than to the adoption of a principle
to be first settled by the i.nwst, have therefore for
borne to hou r- into the extent of the proposition!;
and without expressing »n approbation or rejection
ot tbese offers, or giving an opinion as to the plan
tiud reasoning of the secretary of th* treasury;
your committee, m order that the opinion of tb«
house on this great national question may be de
clared previous to entering into the dot .ils ronn-ct
ed with the subject, rccointueuu the loiiu.ving reso
lution ; **
Rmohtd, Toatit is proper to make provision for
continuing the establishment of the bank of tht
United States, with offices of discount and deposit,
under the regulations necessary for the beneficial
administration of the national finances, during tucli
time and on such conditions as may be defined by
IN SENATE. February 16.
. The hill further to provide for the relief of the
refugees trom the British provinces of Canada and
Nov* Scotia was read a thirl time and passed.
I he senate resumed the consideration of the mo
tion of Mr. Ilillbouse Submitted yesterday.
Mr. Giles moved to amend it by striking out all
•Iter the word “ information”and inserting **. whe
ther in the execution of the art, entitled “ au act
to interdict the commercial intercourse between the
United States and Great Britain and' France and
their dependencies, and for other purposes,” exports
to and imports from the ports of Great Britain of
France have been or are now permitted, and whe
ther collectors of districts in the l^ed States do
not admit to nn entry goods the growth'and mann
ftrture nl Great Britain or France, and if so, under
what instructions they have acted,” in lieu of the
words proposed to oe stricken out 11»
Mr. Iliilhouse called fora division of the qur&ti
on, and the question for striking out was earned in
the affirmative by yeas and nays as follow:
< Y F.AS--Messrs. Anderson, Bradley, Campbell,
Condit, Franklin. GailLrd, German, Giles, GiU
man, Lambert, Mathewson, Meigs, Parker, Robin*
son, Smith, Mi. Smith, N. Y'. Tail, Turnsr, Wbitn..
side— ig. Jfe
NAYS—Messrs. Bayard, Crawferd, Goodrich,
Gregg, tollhouse, Horsey, Lloyd, Pickering, Reed,
bumpier—10.
Tht question on inserting the amendment pro
posed was carried by yeas artd nays, 29 to one. Ml*.
Reed only voting in the negative.
The senate resumed the consideration of the ap
propriation bill, but adjourned without coming to it
decision en it.
LEGISLATURE OF NEW YT>RK.
Thursday, February 8.
Answer of the Home to the Governnw-’t Speech,
To his excellency Dahtei. D. Tompkins* Esqj
Governnur of the State of New York.
Sir,—The duty of legislating for • large and.
opulent state, is at all times highly responsible.
Whether the magnitude of that dmy is enhanced
at the present juncture by the convulsed efate of the
Irivtlized world, aod the great political events, cnii
stantly occurring, it is not our province to deWt
minc. ’
. The powers constitutionally vested in the 1-gisl*.
tores of particular states, do not euthoriite any V»
terferenee on their part with tbs foreign ut.tiuda
of thf United States. If, WjjtffeMf, tht- gejirralp
Vernment to whose roosidejj^Hf this’tend meiiy
“her topi, ks embraced ia yolFTxcfllpr.'A qifpcfi*
ptoperly'belong,shall frq.i.j* ib^ga ..per -noD qft
tus h.m«e in^M| measure ii'.rrflMr'U)' tv'uutwfn
.be dignity Sj^Rpvide for (he pro{*rFnm ni ti.'cjdfc
lout, the W' S^l^afii pa!ri.iti»;i| of ji'n
sufficient pledg ing stn-h fr, Hitf '^BT
promptly and cheer fully atfoitied.h *