The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-12-08

i Sh"oAu ~ 81 ihto upCIlSiOu, VIII no
tend topromote the desirable results of uati
onalreparation and amicabe adjustment o
our differences with Great-Britain. In cffec,
that your Memorialists condsier the said act
In Its application to this country as extreme
~ embarrassing, and in its operation On the
government and people of Grcat-Britain as
Irritating and inefhcient-That the repeal O!
the satd act would be productive of beneficial
effect, in as much as it would relieve our own
citizens from embarrassment, demonstrate a
disposition to treat on terms of liberality, and
lbe considered as pledge of candour & mag
Immunity in the conduct of the negotiation.
Whiie IN the event OF failure toproduce fair
and honorable accommodation the evils of
war, which must severely and equally affect
the farmer, merchant and mechanic, would
be borne with less regret as being rendered
| inevitable
| In submitting their opinions to the National
Legislature, Your Memorialists have not; they
conceive, over looked the delicacy of the sub
Ject to which they relate--and they have anx-
ionsly endeavored, in representing the objects
OF this Memorial, to connect the national ho-
nor and interest with their individual claims
and privileges.
Relying on the exercise of a wise, lust and
dlgnlhed policy, your Memorialists respect
fully refer the matters herein stated TO the
/
| The memorial having been read, Mr.. j.
Gay moved that it be referred to the COM
mlttee OF Commerce and Manufactures.
Mr.. Re7ran did not feel himself competent
to Judge on this subject; but would barely
| suggest to the consideration of the House.
whether after the attack on the -Chesapeake
a petition of this nature should be referred.
de himself had disapproved of the act of
which this petition PRAYED repeal; but it
had been passed, and since its passage the
memorable affair of the Chesapeake had ia
ken place; and it had been said bv the British
government that II this act were suffered to
go INTO operation it would be considered as A
declaration OF war. Under these circumstan-
ces he could not as an American vote for re-
ference OF memorial on this subject. Had
ne Decn entltled to vote previous to the af-
I;hr OF the chesapeake, he should have voted
tor repeal OF the law but now he was on
iposeo TO considering the subject 1T all, they
were not now in situation to parlev. And
ne hoped, whatever might hereafter be done
that the House would not now enter into a
consideration of this subject. In rising to ex-
press TINS opinion, he was actuated by the
same sentiments that would guide him in
common life. If he had committed an injury.
IN 1air words he would retract it but if a
threat were used he would not This law
$4,000 - "Si'SS&tiOtI Cnc CdDlneC CT E,Il-
gland, and whatever might be the conse-
Iquence, they must now make proper stand
even reference of this memorial would be a
degradation of their dignity.
Mr.. j. Czay said, that whatever were b;s
sentiments as to the propriety of the measure
IN question, yet as the memorial was toucbed
In moderate terms, and drawn up with abili-
ty, he thought is would not be inconsistent
with the dignity of Congress to refer it: they
did not grant the prayer OF the memorial by
Ireferring 1t. 1t was proposed to be referred
TO the committee appointed to consider all
subjects relating to commerce. and NOTHING
could Certainly be more important in relati-
on to commerce, than the existence of the
act prohibiting the importation of certain
goods, wares, and merchandise. He believed
that every man in the community who had
considered the act in question, had found it
dehcient IN all its details, and perfectly nuea-
tory in some of its provisions He did not
speak of the priptiple of the act, but of its
deficiencies There was doubt under that
act whether man could import an inkstand
or a lock; or whetherhe might import a sill
yer watch, though there was no doubt but he
| could import gold one and there were a.
Their defects in its provisions of like natrre
here was such inconsistency, that it n1ight
be considered doubtful even on the ground Of
leXpediency, whether it should not be rcpeal.
| ed.
| Mr.. Rhed (Ten) was not one of those who
wished for war, with any nation on earth. but
he should vote against the reference of this
petition or any other that PRAYED for the same
object. 1t had been said bv the gentleman
who introduced it that they did not grant its
prayer by referring it. That was trTte but
the very reference of it would give color ia
the supposition that the House we're now dc
liberating whether they should repeal the law
or not. 1t would bereportcd across the At
lantic, and this very reference might have It's
effect on the differences subsistine between
the two countries. IF the U. States had ta-
ken this ground, why would they now give il
up' He would not consent to it. 1t had also
been SAID that the act was defective and nu-
gatory ii this meant any thing, it was that
ltnceded amendment; and if it were wish
ed to amend it he was ready to do it, by adj
ding other prohibitions to those it already con-
tained. If he recollected right, the memo.
rial stated that the non-importation act bore
hard on our own merchants; that might have
been expected. They had notice Of its 20
ing into operation why did they after tia;
give their orders for those articles which were
prohibited by it. If, as had been stated, no,
an inkstand or lock or silver watch could be
imported, the act could be improved or ..
mended, without being repealed as the petit
oncrs wished. 1t was stated in the memorial
thatthe law was embarrassing TO merchant,
and irritating tn (yrent Ur;t.;, 81 -.