The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-12-11
CITE Gnqutrer.
RICHMOND, lltb DECEMBER.
SoN-ImroRrArIoN LAW.

portation law fhould be GJpendeI. The only
difficulty exits as to the time. Some contend
for later; others for .horter period fome
for the silt of December; Others for the 3oth of
June.
The beft policy feems to require the
adoption of as I5orf period as pofIible.
Why is the non-imbortaiiou law to be fuf.
pended at all 1t is to allow Great Britain
Sufficient time to do US juftice. 1t is to allow
her that time for negotiation, which was
unfortunately loft by the " long illnefs and
fubfequent death" of MIR. Fox; and thus
TO afford her the bet proof of our con ella.
tory difpoG,ion. Was if not this very reafon,
which induced us at iirft to suspend its obera-
ti0n for feveral months We fuipendcd it then,
becauie we were willing to allow them fufiici-
ent time to bring the negotiation to an AMIGA
bic iiiue. That negotiation had been delayed
through cauies, which did not originate in the
policy of their cabinet but in caufes which
they could neither anticipate nor prevent
&c which did not arife in any unwillingnefs to do
us juitice But we arereduced nearlytoth the fame
iltuation under which the law was originally PAT.
led; with this additional circumstance, that
they have eXprefIed greater difpolition to do
us Juice. The EngIifh cabinet has, there
fore, at this time, the fame or even a greater
claim upon our indulgence than they had at
the pailsge Of the law. But when that law
"de Pa'lSO, VIC ttu TcIulS til6fn THIS maui
gence; we did not Unfit upon the privilege
which their unjuft conduct had given us, of car.
ryins that law into immediate operation we
gave them sufficient time to do us juftice ace
ga7'e them a sufficient lime TO bring or neeo1ia-
fions to a Jiiendy ilae. The queftion of time
therefore imply reduces tfeif to this cacula-
ton: Nbsf period viii. be necehary 10 conclude
this negotiation
1t tbould be recolleGed that fome progress
was already made in il during the peri
cd which vas at irlt allowed for that pur.
poie; that MIR. Fox himfelf and afterwards
Lords Auckland and Holland n1ua have had fe-
The points in difpute, with our miniGers. A
horter period of time therefore is neceT,iry
H07v, than was originally required but If tia.
period was lcng enough then, the delay of or I
months muf now BE amply fuficient.
Inc very circuT1itauce too, which originally
induced us to aIott this law, will now enforce
the adoption of the @or.eR ps,1T1ie time for its
inipenhon. 1t will operate with the greater
force to induce The Britiil, Cabinet to do us
immediate juftce. The nearer the time for
reitri6tiug the importation OF their manufac-
lures, the greater will be the inducement for
bringing the negotiation to an accr ptable illue.
On this point, therefore, the friends and the
opponents of this law may be expected in fome
meaure to differ. Ihote who oppofcd it will
be III favor OF more diiiant day for renewing
ta operation. i'toie vino iupPorred IT VIII ad-
vocate nearer day becaufe If the impoiing
of reiirants upon BdtiNl manufactures has an
etiSct in compelling that cabinet to do us inf
tice, (Which thefe gentemcn noit Rronglv urc.
ed,) they NUT be in favor Of bringing tho.e ref
traints into effect foon as pofiisie.
Should our differences be aciufcd before The
sit of June, it will not he inIliGing hoitie
mesinre upon friendly power, as Mr.. Ran
doiPh has commended, becaufe the remedy a.
ga'nit this evil viii be already provided. The
Preiident will Immediately convene Congrefs
together, who will either ratify OF reject the
treaty which may be concluded; who will eli
Their iuipend the non-importaton law for a
longer time, or fuffer it 10 go at once into ope-
ration.
And here moR important queaion pre-
tents itctt 70 our confederation.
Should the negotiation ultimately failin it's
object, there can be difpute as to the policy,
We mould purfue. 1t ia right that the iufoen-
ion ofths law ihould be done away as foon as
poi!b!e.
Its right for US to prove to G.. Britain that
we can retaiate as well as feel niuftice.
It is right that we ihould not only enforce
the provifuns of this act /; and guard it againG
eyaderG and fmuggers by penalties far more
rigorous than it already Contains: bnt that we
mould extend the range OF reRTIfiau TO an in
initely greater number of Britiih articles.
1t right Gas MIR. r. has ADMITTEDLY that we
ihoud adopt much more forcible meaiures to-
wards @. Britain; IF it be nece1ary, to n1ut
every Britiih ihip from oar ports, and eyery
bale of Britifh goods from our warehoufes.
All tbele regulations will be proper, if G.
Britain refuses to do rs jujfiee. Bur here the
important qusiiion meets US mould Great
Britain accede TO our jult demands fhould (he
allow u, reParaton for the pat and fycurity for
the future what will then be our brf pohry?
Shall we repeal the non.importaiion law
ali ogether; or ihall we Gill retain any of
the rtfritfions which it impoles ? In o.
ther words, 0lall we permit our commerce
al intercourfc to be as unlhacked as it was be-
lore The adoption Of this law or (l,all we fub-
jet { TO higher duties aud new prohibitions?
This great queAion may at the prcient moment
appear to ne premature but it is certaialy
right to anticipate its decIion, becaufe it nav
contribute 30 ihape the courie of the 1epociafiou
hirf, aud the terms Of the treaty.---We ihan|
oder but few remd ks on this fubiect at pre(cnt.
in iupport Of any renrl6tions to- be mpoCed
upon onr imponations from G.. B. three reafons
may be employed.
Y 20 obtain reparation for the injuries we have
iufsred.
To eenaicrz'aH the reRridions, which fhe
hetltlf may have impoled upon our com
merCe,
Or toeaeoprGge fmilar branches four DUN
m5uufa0uY.a