The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-05-28

f.Se cOri'Hcrcc ana navigation are not TO be
given in exchange for restrictions, and vexa.i-
ons; nor are they likely 20 produce rc!axati-
ON of them.
Our navigation involves ftil! higher conGdcr-
atoms. Asa branch of induilry, it is valuable;
but, rs a ref ,urce OF defence, eifential.
It's value, as branch of induftry, is Enhanced
by the dependence of 20 many other branches
on it. In times of general peace it multiplies
competitors for employment in TRANSPORTATION,
and fo keeps that at its proper level; ard in
times of war, that to fay, when thoie nations
who may be our principal carriers, fha be at
war with each Other, if we have not within our
felves the means Of transportation, our produce
mutt he exported in belligerent velcIs at the in
created eSpence of war-freight and iniurance.
and the articles which will not bear that, NUT
PERTH our hands.
But it is refourcc for defence that our navi-
CATION will admit neither neglect nor forbear-
ance. The petition and circumstances Of the
United States leave them nothing to fear on their
!and-board, and nothing to delire beyond their
preient rights. But, on their fea-hoard, they
are open 10 injury, and they have there too,
commerce which mut be protected. This can
only be done By poaelIing a Respectable body
of citizen-feamen, and Of arti1s ard eltablh-
rnents in readinefs fer flip building.
Were the ocean, which is the common pro-
perry of all, open to the induhry of all, 10 that
every perion and vetIei ihould be free to take
employment wherever it could be found, the
United States would certainly not fet the cx-
ample Of appropriating to themielses, exclu-
lively, any portion OF the common flock of oc-
cuPation. They would rely on the enterpriZe
and activity of their citizens for a due partici-
patton of the benefits of the tra-faring buinefs,
and for keeping the marine clars of citizens e.
quail to their objc9. Bat if particular nations
gratp at undue i.arcs, and more Especially, if
they ielZe on the means of the United States to
convert them into aliment for their own
itrength, and withdraw them entirely from the
iupport of tholc to whom they belong, dcfen-
| five and protecting meaftres become necefiary
| on the part of the ration whole marine refour-
ces are thus invaded, or it will be diiarmed of
its defence; its productions will lie at the mer-
cy OF the nation which has pofeiied itfelf ex-
c'nfiveiy of the means of carrying them, and its
politics may be Influenced by thofc who COM
inand its commerce. The carriage of cur own
| commodities, if once eitabliihed in an other
| channel, cannot be refumed in the moment we
| may delire. If We loie the fcamen and artihs
whom 1t now occupies, we lofe the prefsnt
| means of marine defence, and time will be re-
quite TO raite up Others, when digrace or loft
es fhall bring home to our feelings the error OF
having abandoned them. The materials for
maintaining our due fhare of navigation, are
ours in abundance ; and, as to the mode of IL
ling them, we have only to adopt the principles
or thoie who thus put us on the defenGve, or
| others, equivalent and better fitted to our cir
cumft2nces.
The following principles, being founded in
| reciprocity, appear perfectly juf, and to offer
| no cauie of complaint to any nation.
lit. Where nation impoies high duties OIL
| our productions, or prohibits them altogether,
it may be proper for US to do the fame by theirs,
| firit burthening or excluding thofe productions
which they bring here, in competition with our
own of the fame kind felecting next fuch ma
nutactures as we take from them in greateft
quantity, and which at the fame time we could
the iooneft furniih to ourfelves, or obtain from
| other countries; impofug on them duties,
| lighter at firt; but heavier and heavier after
wards, as other channels of fnpply open. Such
duties having the effect of indirect encourage
ment to dometic manufactures of the fame
| kind, may induce the manufacturer to come
himielf into theie fates, where cheaper fubfilt-
ence, equal laws, and vent of his wares, free
of duty, may enfure him the higheft profits from
| his Kill and induitry. And here it would be
IN the power Of the fate governments to Coo
perate eflentially, by opening the refources of
| encouragement which are under their controul
extending them literally to artiRs in thofe par
ticu'ar branches of manufacture, for which their
Toll, climate, population, and other circumftan-
! ces, have matured them, and foitering the pre-
cious efforts and progrefs of boujrl5oId manu-
facture by fome patronage fuited to the nature
of it's objects, guided by the local infornations
they poilefs, and guarded againfl abufe by their
prefence and attentions. The opprefIions on
our agriculture in foreign ports would thus be
made the location of relieving it from depend
ence onthe councils and conduct of others, and
of promoting arts, manufactures, and populate
on at home.
| cd. Where nation refufes permifIion to our
merchants and factors to refide within certain
parts of their dominions, we may, if it fhould
be thought expedient, refufe rehdence TO theirs
in any and every part of ours, or modify their
tranfa6tions.
sd. Where nation refufes 70 receive in our
veiiels any productions but our own, we NAV
rcfufe to receive, in theirs, any but their own
productions. The firf and fecond claufes of
| the bill reported by the committee, are well
formed to effeGt this object.
| 9TH. Where nation reflifes to confider anv
ve1ei as ours, which has not been built within
our territories, we fhould refufe to confider as
theirs, any vellel not built within their terrific
RIGS.
5th. Where nation refufss to our veGcls
the carriage even Of our own productions, TO
certain countries under their domination, we
might Tefifs 70 fheirs of every IeC-r;,>t;c,, a. -