Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-11-15

"A oertle man fion Ncw-Y ork ha: started
doubts respecting the privilege given in the
9Th article to French and Spanish vessels
coming directly from France and Spain
and their colonies, and loaded only with
their produce and manufactures, to trade to
ports in the cededterritory for twelve years
upon the same terms as American ornative
ships coming directly from France & Spain
II have no objection, sir, to that article OF
the treaty; those vessels are to pay ton
rage duty, and duty on their cargoes ST.
mllar to our own, they are rot to be admit
ted free of duty, but the, United States re-
serve the right to make any regulations con-
corning the expectation of the produce and
merchandise ofour own country, which
may be thought necessary.
Our trading ships can easily contend a.
gainst those of France and Spain in the
ports ofLouisiana.
| should be very sorry, sir, that 'Ameri-
can .vesselsscould notmeet those of any o.
Their nation, in all situations and in every
country, where they may be received on
equal conditions as it respects the du-
ties. We actually build cheaper, and can
navigate cheaper than any ether nation on
the globe, and of course we run no risk
in contending with other vessels in the
open market, and l Aatter myself we shall
soon see all foreign vessels driven from
thoseports by anhonorable competition with
them.
1t surely, sir, cannot be demonstrations
al to receive the ships Of France or Spain
in the ports of the new territory, upon any
terms whatever, it is mere condition of
the purchase, and this house may or may
not agree to it, being commercial regula-
ton we have the power to give our assent
or dissent to the article in question, for |
hold it to be correct doctrine, that this
house, by the constitution, have the power
to regulate commerce with foreign nations,
as well as with the Indian tribes, and that
wheneverthe President and Senate make
treaty involving aay commercialpoints, our
consent is absolutely necessary to carry the
treaty into effect.
BY giving our assent we do not iniure the
rights of the other ports in the Atlantic
states, as the privilege is extended only to
ports in the ceded territory. consider
the, eastern or carrying states as particulars
lv and deeply interested in the acquisition
Of Louisiana; it is true their ships already
talmcstevery port, but under many re-
strictions, and wish to see them sailing on
the Mississippi without any molestation or
restraint.
Sir, am in favor Of adopting these
treaties, and they shall have nay hearty sup
port.
There is no superiority sgranted to To-
reign vessels trading to Louisiana, it mere
~ places them on an equal footing with our
own ships in those ports, for a limited
time. The difference of duties is only ten
per cent on the duty, and forty four cents
oftonnage, which difference of duties
venture to say have never given us but
very trifing advantages in the intercourse
of foreign nations with the u. States.
We have now an opening for free trade
to New Orleans and Louisiana which we
never had before, and hope we shall en-
embrace it. Let us ratifythe treaties with
all their provisions, and we shall see in
less than three years that we have gained
the greatest advantages IN our commerce.
wish we may Immediately proceed to
adopt the resolution before the commit.
tee.
Debate to he continued.