Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-01-19

not obnoxious TO any punishment. He
I hoped the amendment would be agreed
TO. for the honor of Congress, and the Sc :.
CT; ity OF the peace ofthe nation. He had
good reason 10 bc.icre tha, the agents of
certain nation ha6 made loud complaints
ia our administration wi,h respee, to the
conduct of several American vessels tra-
ding 10 The West Indies. Irthis section
ais added TO the bill, j, will evincc the dis
position 1T the government Of the United
States to preserve peace and do Justice to
al the nations of the world.
On the question to insert tie new sec
ton proposed by Mr.. Eppes, there was Sc
IN its favor, and SO agains, IT,
RI The committee then rose, and report
ed the bill with the amend nents agreed
to-.
The house having agreed TIC consider
the amendments,
On nation Of Mr.. 7. Claw an a,nend-
irent was made Substituting 70. the words
i:scl'izeD or citizens, ssc." the words her-
son o. feraons yesfdcnf udfbin Tie United
Sfoi-s o., fesvifo'1es thereof.
MIR. r. GrSsw1li thought that giving
bond for doibi> the valr> III The vessel.
her tackle, apparel and faraitrre, was suf
iicient, Without adifiioe he cargo ifother
gentlemen agreed witt, f;n, he hn,ed |
they would refuse t!eir assent to 90 rnuci, !
cfihe a,Eendmeni. The gentleman (Air.
j. CiAy) 10 be suse, bad said that The baDd |
taken in the case Of East Indis,ner, was
merely E1rmai. He did no; think Con-
gress o,lglitt 10 lcgislase on this principle.
Nv hen securities are demanded lhey
should be for an Efficient pGrpose, and not
merely nominal. Why should vessel
sailing with arms 10 India be compelled 10
give security on her cargo OF 500 600 dol
lars Tor million Of dollars. Is there ra6re y
risk OF an inpropcr Use of her arms than
IN The case oil "A West Indiaman with car
90 oi $4,000 dollars which give security I
only t1r 10000 dollars, or is a murder nr /
tciony Committed by ore vessel less 8 !
| murder or felony * committed by annther
and yet from the dispariiv al the bonds
one would be led 10 suspect that such was
The idea. Viewing this additional incum
hrancc on commerce as shacLie .hat
would subject small traders Ia real neon
y-uience, while it would facilitate the en-
triprise Of merchants OF large capital and
long established credit, he meant I. call
the yeas and NAYS on the question OF a
I W ttitO tfHtt Oi lBS fGEOil OIL the
committee of tie whole.
| Mr.. !. Clay saidit was true that he had
said that bonds given Il the custom, house
Tor East-India s;ips were merely formal;
i IS mt however because they are unne-
cssssiy or improper bet because he com
manaers of such vessels were men of such
consideration and prudence, that they
would not subject themselves 70 the for
'eiture, and SO far ne was willing 10 at.mi
that the amendment would aisn be mere /
characterization as the clearance of arm /
ed Eesstirdiamen. Bnt as 10 vessels
bound 20 the West Indies, II was no.a
rious faef that toe value OF tie vessel and
her equipment formed no proportion 20 !
the profits made on the CARGO if they
have fortunate ran, and 1, was against
The illicit commerce Of such that he wish I,
ed 10 be secure. lie was unwilling IN. I
necessarily TO sbacisle commerce as any
gentleman; but this regulation was not
an unnecessary shacklc, il was one a5so- 4
lutely required by existing circumstances. 1
and will not work hardship on any ner-
chant engaged in a lawful commerce.
One thing, however. I've acknowledged i,
would effect. Il viii prevent in future
that species oftrade, which to saw the least
| of It, approaches very near to Illicit trade
st the presen, moment. A merchant.
/ willing to run the risk Of such VOYAGE as
he had alluded 90, would prefer 10 make
u unarrned rather than armed, because lac
knowsthe consequences, and the profabir-
~ OF transg. essipg some ofthe provisions
OF this ael. j bad been suggested that
two bonds would be required; he did not
believe they would ~ Il was not the prac-
tice under the law of l7gs, which was cx-
pressed III The same terms as the amend
ment before the house--if the house
houId however consider this regulation
; as bearing hard ot tie -Easi-India trade,
: they might remedy Il bv redising TO con-
CIR with The committee Of The whole in
, striking out The prOyiso.
Mr.. Eustis did not consider the capaci-
ty of committing a crime as ENLARGED N
I proportion 10 the value Of the cargo, per-
! haps L was che reverse. But he would
osserye that If captain with a very Va
. llua5ie cargo on board wss to commit even
n uiGng misdcmesaCr against this aGe,
-. = L D.