The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-01-18

(Coneluded.)
Mr.. Clarke voted for the firh fe6ion under an i'm,
preiiion that 1t would be proper to permit merchant
vefels in ione cafes TO defend themfeIves He was
therefore willing that they oud have arms on board
Tor the purpote Of fell-defence but while he was
wiling to provide tor their fecurity, he conceived him
ieif bound to refrain them from the commilion of
crimes; and this amendment goes no further. 4,
does noe deprive theme OF the RIGHT offelf-defence
the privilege of TePeiiing forceby force. They are
authoTiedto beat another yeiIel off when atacked.
but they are reirained from becoming the aggreor,
ne amendment does not go to deprive failor of
hnge privilege It fea, which he poileGes on Hore
and iurely 1t will not be commended, that becaufe
man is iaor, he is entitled to executive privilege.
mariner has no right to attack another man on
ihore neither ought he to be privileged to attack
another at Tea but his rights be they whatthey NAV
are the fame both on land and Tea. IF this were a
proportion 70 put arms in the hands Of a man fettino
out on his travels would any one Object to punii him
Tor every uniuit and criminal abufe of fucb arms
lhere IS not member on this floor but whole mind
would revolt at the ides of protecting fuch man,
more than il ne had remained at home WHY then
do gentlemen advocate dfiueon between the man
travelling oy land and another travering the ocean
III cafe the protecting of his country is extended
TO preierve to him his legal and constitutional rights
-n'each cafe then alto Mould the fword of iul;ee
perform ITS Office without dtin6tion or favor This
reputation he was convinced would have beneficial
ehect upon foreign nations, as at the fame time II
"ou'o NEW them that we will protect our lawful
commerce. that citizens are not authorized 70 Of
tend any other people, and that if they do thew will
te pumhed by their government in manner pro-
P"ruohed to the offence On thefe two grounds he
was ~ favor OF the motion FOR amendment fri if
would 60 10 prevent offence by fear of the pupih
nent-and ieeond, it would have good efTetq mon
Ine oeiigeFent nations of Europe with whom we are
az peace, TO preferve our commerce fto-, ,,,.,, e.
liatior. fO-
Mr. Smile had alfo agreed to the firf fetlon IS ,bo
bill becaule he thought it ufeful that our nercbsn,
veiies tradng 70 the Wet Indies DURING ts nrsCe,
urietfsd hate, ihoud he permitted 70 arm II, their
own deencs but at the fame time there was another
ercuntance equally important to be attended 70 ba,
waste preierVe peace between the United States and
other nations unfortunately engaged in war lie va,
OF opinion that nce merchant ve1els were rerr,,eJ
to arm, every precaution ought 70 be taken ayainn
the improper ue nj their arms. The gentleman from,
aIahachuiet:s (Mr. Crownin(hield) has reprereptsd
the American merchants as a fer Of pea-eabIe and
harnlels men. He did carry his idea Of che ,;r
tuous and foroearng dhpoft'or Of this claf &c ;,zs
1ire 70 IA; but he ne9ly believed they were ne
vnuons and honorable any other Get Of inereb.ns
~ me ilce o. the globe But he believed that they
Ha aii the inSrmities to which mankind wer, iialis
rs well as Other perfoas co-Ritu-ing the otter l,;.
u the community, to fsy nothing Of tie o4,,,ro re
heT calling, winch many writers iuppoied 70 be bot
orned on principles Of syafice. Be thai however A.
t might, he diinot think it in poiIihe that :,am,r
conduct at iea might times BE- as jrreotsr and &c
improper rs lanin.an's or fore He could not ,lint
the crew Of hip az fea would be more 5t5,r'y tban
our own CITIZENS retiring in our own territory Ye,
we have here lueh crimes as Colonies and rc.,,e..
ors for the commit Of which tbe law NJ. e,-1,s
correipondsDt remedies ard why not male a fr.is-
pfovion Tor iimilar Offences committed AZ C,7 n.
did not know but the tempt -io- a. fea y-,y f-ou,
than on ihore weaker veTe Might ealily b.co,rs
'he prey OF the ronger and TIE iipunirv ar ia fro
eoncealmen might induce men to riR orieshns ,rore