Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-01-14

OF tue custom house The bond Tor Secur-
ing a delivery in a foreign country, and a
public clearance, tlohot indicate the com.
Inencemsnt ofa new voyage, then VIC are
yet to learn the meaning or the expressi-
on. Ii all the formali,ies and sanctions
established tor the security OF our reve-
| nue.; ifoperations ofimmense magnitude,
transacted with the greatest publicity
without any motive for concealment, are
considered as unreal repre- sensations, and
merely colorado & fraudulent contrivar.
ces 10 cover an Illicit trade, between the
colonies and the parent countries of the
enemies OF Grea, Britain then it becomes
necessary, bo.h in regard TO our charac.
ters and interests, TO inquire, whether The
new regulations establish more definite
criterion for the discovery of TRUTH
We repel with indignation the sugges.
ton, that trans shipment of property for
foreign market, by the original import
er, is evidence of fraud or chicane; or
that, unsupported by other circumstances,
It can justify q Suspicion, that it is other
than neutral. La our opinion, any di.cri-
rina,ion between the rights of an import
ing merchant, and vendee in the United
States,is manifestIy fallacious, as it virtu.
ally asserts, that the former can exercise
only an Imperfect dominion over property
lawfully acquired, and possessed in this
country, while at the same time he can
convey to the latter title 10 a pivilcge
not enjoyed by himself; in short that
trade is unlawful, when the advantage is to
result TO one person, but may be render
ed lawful, by bring participated with an
other.
! If the new doctrine is executed in the
niIdest form, its operation must be highly
injurious, by originating new questions for
| ll'igatioi,, and OF course, subjec(ing all our
commerce to new hazards of,nterruption.
Wepresumenot,h however, to comprehend,
TO what extent, CT in what manner, the
principle will be applied; we perceive, that
the ancient land mark has been removed,
but We seek in vain for beacon to dlrea
our course ;-If we inquire whether q DO
ma fde sale and delivery of merchandise,
i by an importer, being citizen, TO another
known citizen of the United States, for a
valuable consideration, will, as in ordinary
!, cases. be conclusive evidence Of a transfer
i of property, sc the answer is affirmative !;
"
! detained, the rates ofinsurance enhanced,
! and our property confiscated for The estab-
! inent eta rule, which, when once under
stood, will become nuga,ory, and cease to
produce commercial and political effect.
/ IL on The other hand, this evidence is no,
to be deemed conclusive, we profess our.
tselye to be utterly at loss to discover,
iswhat proofs of ownership, and neutrality
,of property can with safety be relied on.
| Bntthese embarrassmeDts, though per-
picking and veXalious, are not hose which
principally occasion our snlcilude We
are compelled u consider the late d decisions
Of the British tribunals, as preliminary
steps towards system for controlling the
imporations of colonial productions, and
thereby annihila,ing The most lucrative
branches OF our foreign commerce..
I 1t we owed this trade solely 10 The ia.
vor ofG. Britain; still we might ask, what
urgent motive, what imperious ne cessity
required hat the favor should be resumed,
1t period whea our commerce was
! spread over the ocean, and when change
SO essential might destroy its security, and
subject US to incalculable losses?
Wa deny, however, that the rights oil
commerce as claimed by us, are to be
deemed iavors /; on the contrary, fthe law
of naions is other than a tem porary rule
prescribed by an arbitrary will and enforc;
ed by power, then we appeal to It's mos,
universal and inviolable principle, in our
defence. This principle is, Thar Me good.
OF neutral, consisting ofarncies not contra.
band Of Svar, in neutral vesseL, emitioyed in
a direct trade, 6etzDeen neutral countries, ana
forts Of a 6eLfgcrcnt country NOT invested
or bio' kaae0, are Protected.
In The controversies which have exis; /.
! ed at different times, for extending the
| privileges Of neutral vessels, and limit.
ting the grounds to capture, we take no
part; we appeal to the old law. re neu-
trail rights can be reduced within more
confined limits than this law prcscribes,
We perceive not how, amidst the collisi.
ons ofnational interests, any neutral COM
merce can exist, even in our native pro-
ductiors.
IL il be minated, that neutrals should
be confined TO 4 commerce with such
| places, and in such articles only, as were
allowed in peace, by the municipal regu-
'ations Of the countries engaged in war !;
the doctrine may be repellcd by the no.
torious fael, that no such principle has