The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-12-23

The language Of the amendment is, If he thinks
10, let him fufpcnd it to that tin,e. The fame
principle, therefore, is applicable to invefting
tins power, as to the fufpenlion VIC have alrea-
dy agreed TO.
Mr.. Dana faid he agreed that the amend-
ment of the Senate was in fubltancc nearly the
lame with the proportion rejected in the
Houfe. He was in favor OF this propoiition,
| and till continued favorable tn it, bccaufc he
approved the exteHfion of the fufpenion of the
ad to December, and becauie he believed, if
the power of fnfHending it were veited in the
Pretdent, he would not faffer it to go into eff
feel before that day.
Without going into the queiton how far the
commercial regulations were calculated to CO.
cree Great Britain, MIR. Dana faid lie would
undertake TO fay that the operation Of the nom
Importation act WAS more injurious tn ourfelves
than Creat-Britain; and that it impolcd fuch
burthens on onr merchants, and was 10 extreme-
ly vexatious to them, that he had little doubt
OF its tufPcniion by the Prelident, if he fhould
be Unveiled with thc power. 1t would be recol-
lected that the refolu.ious adopted by the Houfe
at thesT laf felton, were very general that
they had been referred to a committee to bring
in bill, who had, from the prelfure of circur,-
RANGES, reported bill very promptly, and
with no other Specification than that contained
IN the refolutions. In the contribution given to
| this law, he underftood ne. regard ,iad been
paid 10 labor, but merely to the material the
coniequcnce of which was extremely vexatious.
! He would fate an inftance. 1fqaa fsrti5 could
only be imported in glais or gold veffels. A
quantity had been imported into New York in
g'ats yehels, and been refutcd entry becaufe
contained in glafs. Mr.. Dana here fpeci6ed
for'e other articles, limilarly circumfanced.
He added that the proviGons of the aS were of
10 dubious nature, that the Secretary of the
Ireaiury had given no inttrueions refpeeting
them. For theie reafons he thought the law
would never be fuffered to go into operation.
It had, indeed, produced an effect, which the
Eouie in Pafiing it, had not contemplated.
he would, therefore, have it done away alto
gether, and If they were TO, have any CONNER
cial prohibitions, he hoped they would be i'm
| poied in iuch language as all people might uu-
| bertrand.
! MIR. Bidwell fad, before the queftion was
taken, he would, in anfwer to the gentleman
from Connecticut on his right (Mr. Dana, iuft
o .erve, that any doubt difficulty which had
ar'ien or might ariir, in the execution of the
law, from the general Description of articles of
manufacture, by their material of chief value.
might &c ss.iiy removed by d supplemental ACT.
III was not itrange, nor new, that in compli-
Gated fYftem of regulations, experience fhoul,l
point out practical defects in the details, and
render Legislative explanation or amendment
|
the iytem. Notwithstanding any iuch imperiec-
tons IN the prefent detail: of the prohibitorv
act, he had no doubt that, whether left TO the.
executive or the Legislature, The act would be
ultimately carried into full and complete effe6t,
unleis rendered unnecefary by an intervening
arrangement of the points in diipute.
Mr.. Dana faid that in the ita.enent he had
mace, he did not hate many of the nconveni-
ences that bad been experienced. Half the
po0Ie iDnr> ms
importation law took effeti, had been refufr d
entry. The law was indeed one which ought
never TO so into operation. AS far as he was
informed, the government of Grert Britain hasI
as yet only given friendly aillrances He con-
! iidered the exitence of this law as bar to "a
tisfactory arrangements and was, therefore.
willing to lay ii Aide for the fake of peace and
accommodation, not coniidering it as aiding,
out as impeding our negotiations.
Mr.. Chandler faid, if he believed, with the
gentleman from Connecticut, that the Pref.
den. would, under any circumstances, no mat
ter what, fufpcnd the act, he would not give
MS vote Tor the propofed amendment. On
the contrary. believing that he would let il go
into eHcct, ur!efs our differences were adiufted,
1t had his appreciation. To remedy the evils
mentioned, he would have no objection to do
ing away this aet, after proper time, and pre-.
feflhing IN new act double doze. He would
pas an act promoting the importation of all
gocds from Great Britain. Believing the act
had been attended with good consequences, and
had brought the government of that nation to
icnte Of their intereas, ard that there was
probability of an carly adjutment of our differ
enceS, he ihould give his vote for the amend
meDt.
The qneAion was then taken by yeas and
nays, and the amendment carried. g.
Nays 90.
Other hnlinefs, of subordinate interef, was
traniaeted, which flia he Rated in oui next
paper.
TUrcnhX Dec