Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-11-11
CONGRESS-
OF TIE
UNITED STATES.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,.
FRIDAY, November a.
DEBATE on the LOUISIANA 1REAT1.
DEBATE CONTINUED.

should be accompanied by his reasons. -
With the gentleman from New-Y ork, Mr.
G.. Griswold@ he entertained doubts as to
the constitutionality Of the treaty, and #
those doul.ts should be removed, he shS.lld
vote for CARRYING it into effect. --- The
partof the treaty to which he referred Wassin
the seventh article, in the following words ):
6 As it is reciprocally advantageous to
the commerce of France and the United
States to encourage the communication of
both nations for a limited time In the coun-
try coded by the present treaty, until gene
raj arrangements relative to the commerce
of both nations may be agreed on: 1t has
been agreed between the contracting par.
ties, that the French ships coming directly
from France or any of her colonies loaded
only with the produce and manufactures of
France or her said colonies; and the ships
ofSpain coming directly from, Spain or any
of her colonies, loaded only with the pro-
duce or manufactures of Spain or her colo
MES, shall be admitted, during the space of
twelve years, in the port of New-Orleans,
and in all other legal ports Of entry within
the ceded territory, in the same manner as
the.ships of the United States coming di-
rectly from France or Spain, or any oftheir
colonies, without being subject to any other
or greater duty on merchandise, or other or
greater tonnage than that paid by the citi-
zens of the United States
In opposition to this part of the treaty,
he found in the constitution Of the u. States
this declaration: No preference shall be
given by appropriation of commerce or re-
venue to the ports of one state over those
of another"
1t was on this point that he entertained
doubts, which he wished Nigh be removed.
His honorable colleague (Mr. Randolph
ing, he had confirmed them.
Mr.. Lewis was free to declare that his
only objections were to the demonstrations
ality of the treaty: and should any gentle
man remove them, he would not object to
voting for carrying the treaty into operate
on; but unless they were removed, he must
vote against it.
Mr.. Randolph in explanation, said, that
he thought he had suggested that the pre-
ference referred to was legal and not
constitutional difficulty.
Mr.. Lewis. Still the gentleman has
not removed my difficulty. Congress pos
sess no power to give commercial pre-
ference to one state over another and if
the ships Of France and Spain are per-
mitted to enter New-Orleans on terms
more advantageous than they are permit
ted to enter other ports of the United
States, it is palpable violation of the con-
stitution.
The gentleman from Virginia has also
told us that this preference is to be consi-
dered as the price paid for the coded terri
tory. am astonished at this observation
AS understand the treaty, we are to take
possessionofL Louisiana within three months
from the ratification of the treaty; and as
soon as taken into our possession, specific
sum is to be paid for it, on which being
done it becomes our sole property. Ifthen
we give great advantage to the port Of
New-Orleans, not enjoyed by other ports,
] say such preference will be a palpable VI
olation ofthe constitution. For it must be
evidentto every mind that such prefer
ence viii operate against every state IN the
union. For if the ships of France and
Spain are permitted to enter New Orleans
upon betterte than any other ports, they
can afford to bring the productions of those
countries into New-Orleans much cheaper
than into any other ports of the U. States.
These are my only objections; ifremoved
/ shall have no difficulties but until they
are removed, must be opposed to the re-
solution before the committee.
Mr.. Griffin said that upon subject so
important, and SO deeply interesting to his
country, it would be objectionable in him,
and erince a direl,ct of 1nt1s. to give q