Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1807-12-14

dignity or the justice OF the mouse 10 refer II
to the committee of commerce and manu-
factures As to the non-importation law,
whoever would examine it would find, that
| many Of its provisions were very deficient,
and in some cases totally nugatory. He
pointed out some Of its defects, and observ-
| ed, that it contained so many absurdities !,
that he doubted whether it could ever go
| into operation.
Mr.. Crowninslield said, that as TO the
non-importation law, it might be obscure in
some parts but there were more than doz-
| en- articles, on which there could be no
doubt at all Under what circumstances
| had that law passed We had been max
| ing demands on Great Britain for many
years, which she had refused to satisfy and
| this law had been passed to induce her to do
| us Justice. Since that period she had COM
| united the outrage OH the Chesapeake.
The blood Of "A merican citizens had freely
| flowed in that vessel. Great Britain had
known this for some months, land yet we had
the law in question was suspended but for
short time at present. but from the rumors
which were aioat, anu from what he knew,
ofthe disposition Of Great Britain, he en-
| tertained no hope that she would do US JUS
tice. He thought that we were sleeping at
our posts. We knew that 6. Britain was
making actiNes preparations that she was
endearOuring TO decOy the Indians on our
frontiers that she was arming her militia
in Canada and Nova Scotia and that she
had besides, an Immene c navy. The late
attack on Copenhagen had convinced us
that she paid no regard to justice or the
laws Of nations. She had in that instance
violated every principle ofhumanity. Could
we expect better treatment than Denmark,
nation which had never injured her
Might not our cities be ~rapt in flames, as
we'll IS Copenhagen The petitioners state,
that they arc alarmed at the demands of
our government what were those de-
mands Did they know them He knew
not, although memberof that house: and
yet the petitioners are alarmed at them.
Mr.. c. then moved that the petition lie on
the table.
Mr.. Miner could not see any improprie-
ty in referring the petition He was ac-
quainteG with the characters who had sign
cd il, and he knew them to be men Of the
highest responsibility, men who would not
lightly commit themselves. AS to the non
Importation law, he had always regarded It
as weak and futile measure, calculated to
produce no other effect than to irritate G.
Britain. He would rather have seen a law
to prohibit all intercourse at once. He a.
greed with the gentlemen last up, that we
were sleeping at our posts that our affairs
with Great Britain were in such a situation
as 70 render it extremely doubtful whether
they would be amicably settled; and that
under these circumstances We ought not to
be idle.
Mr. Aston moved that the petition be re-
ierred to a committee Of the whole house
Mr.. Smile thought that referring this Pc
ttion to the committee of the whole house
be giving it too much Importance. That
there was party in this country strongly
preiudiced in favor Of the British govern
mcnt, lie never doubted for moment, that
this was measure of that party, he was
equally certain.
Mr. Chandler knew not who these Deti
TONERS were he did no: know but that they
were British subjects residing among us
It he were certain that such was the fact,
rs would move to have the petition thrown
under the table without taking any further
notice Of it but as he was not certain of il,
DC was willing to Let it lie on the table.
Mr. Clay said that with respect to that
assertion Of his colleague (Mr SMILEY he
would merely remark that there was mans
name signed TO that petition, with whom he
was Immediately acquainted, who he knew,
did as much good for this country as his
colleague, notwithstanding his situation
The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
Crowningshicld) had made long haranrue
OH the subject OF the non-importation law.
and had said that it would not embarrass
the merchants. But so extremely ridiculous
was some of the provisions Of that law, that
1t was doubtful whether gold watch could
be imported on account Of the glass being
prohibited. He said he felt extremely hurt
at the observations Of the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. smile) when he knew
that the signers CT the petition were native
American citizens. But it seemed natural
that member of Congress must speak Oh
al suhiects ,rhatLer " IN Z - ~. j. ~.