Jenks' Portland gazette. Maine advertiser. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1802-1803, 1803-02-07
legislature Of tie Qniten States.
els
Second Selion-seventh CsEgrefs.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES..

MONDAY, JAN. ~.
THE Hogs qgaia tsoI " re r.j5hsioa oFSre5by
Mr. Rztietge, tbst any Of t5s Sfstr5, Importing
pieces sfbr5i ordnance, FIRE or Cd. arms, for tie
ne Of militia, BE- permitted 10 yefrve tie z7e free
IF duty !" aHa stier 0a,ioaf dsefoas IN eo1ezitte.,
and ia TIE Hogtf. Il finally g0as Asiss--7eas As,
NaJs 45.-TBe SSsaEe, Brisg ia JaUcr, Il paid,
ant a e0rH'itfe: vva5 ra5ldii to.brirg in q kA,
In bs sowf sf tie dsbats, lIr. THATCHER,
LtTos7 Ma'Ee) Iaia
so sztenGve range has been
taken in difcHGiEg tks quellion, that il
cannot be neceiIary 70 follow the advocates of
the refoution through the various fubjels
which have been introduced in the courle Of
debate. The arguments in favor of this refo-
luton are Predicated upon the idea thai VIC
are ar the eve of war I; that the country is
in eminent danger. The honorable gentle
man from Kentucky (Mr. Davils) draw a
conclulion TO this effect from recent meafures
OF the executive. Sir, | would relort to the
lame high authority TO luppoFt an opinion
directly oppofte. The mealures Of the exec.
utIve have certainly been pacific in the highslf
degree. Judging from the Communications Of
the PRECEDENT 10 this houfe, | fhould appre-
bend no immediate danger we are told In
the meflage Of 18th Of December, that ",we
are aill bletied with peace AM fricad1ip
abroad" and there Is not the moi diitant intl-
nation of approaching hoitility The fame
gentleman Teens diilatisied that the houle has
conuned itlelf, TO fhort and ineiFe etual relo-
luton respecting New Orleans and the Milf
hllippi with refpe4 to that refolu,ion, am
by no means inclined TO differ from him in
opiRien but when Sir, It is laid that there is
an Immediate prolpect of war, confefs do
not Zee the evidence. On the contrary,it is M
derltood that we are about to commence a
negotiation which, perhaps years may not
terminate.
Gentlemen in favor Of this refoIution have
dwell at great length anu with great emphalis
upon the neceillty of arming the militia. To
arm and equip the militia is certainly an oh
le1 OF primary importance. On this opinion
the houlc appears unanimous. But Sir, this
iubIeGf | conifder totally unconneaed with
the suction before US for the militia will be
armed, if the impon fhould be continued
The gentleman from Virginia has 70 fully ex-
preiied my ideas upon this point that fhall
not trouble the houle with repetition.
The queftion before the hoItc is iimply whe-
Their we will permit the individual lta,es 70 i'm
port arms free from the duty Of IS per cent.
imPoled by law. Sir, the effect which this re-
ioation mua have upon the manufacture OF
arms In the United States, think an nnan-
iwerable objection. confider this manufsc
ture eiiential TO our fafety. 1t is faid that
arms can be imported cheaper than we can
make them. Taking that aatement as cor
rect, arc We to be guided in thar inaance by a
itriet exaetnefs of pecaniary calculation ! 10
import thoie articles which can be had from
abroad much cheaper than they oeuid be made
at home may be good general prineiple-bs'
the articles enumerated III this reloluton are
certainly to be excepted. In the revolution, the
independence Of ,his country was hazarded