Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-08-26
HOUSE OF CoMMoNs-June %.
AME RIC6

Lord TEMPLE said, that seeing the
Chancellor of the Exchequer in his place,
he would beg leave to ask him a question.
In the course OF the last Session had fal.
len to his lot to bring in bill, which had
been passed contrary to the opinions of
those who composed the present Admins
tration, he meant the American Inter-
course Bill; and he wished to know if the
present Ministers meant TO move for its
repe al!
Mr. ROSE said, that he for one had sire
nuously opposed the bill alluded to during
its progress through the House, because he
disapproved the measure but as it had re-
ceived the appreciation of the House, and
passed into law, he did not think it would
be decent to move its repeal till its opera
ton was somewhat better known.
June So
Foreign and British Shihhing.-Mr.
EDEN rose, in pursuance of his notice, To
make a motion relative to this subject
This he preFaced by a speech of considera-
bic length, stating the object he had in view
10 be to show the prosperity and increase
of our Navigation, while the country was
under the management OF the late Admit
nistration. One great cause to which the
decline of British navigation was ascribed,
was the passing OF the Bill called the Ame-
presented as wantOn innovation and vet,
by the answer gwen last night, by the
Treasurer of the Navy, he learned that
Ministers had no intention of repeating it,
although they had alledged that it went to
do for enemies what they could not do for
themselves, and to resign to other nations
our naval superiority The House had
been told that the whole conduct of the late
Ministry was series of concessions to neu-
trails, and that they were weak enough to
commence neg citation during the exis-
tence of the Non-Impnrtation Act?
MIR. ROSE said, he did not rise to oppose
this motion, but to state that he was at a
loss to know what the Hon. Gentleman
ctuld possibly make out from such an ac-
count. The only law passed during the
last session, which had any relation to this
matter, was the American intercourse Bill,
and upon that subject the Noble Lord on
posite to him (Lord Temple,) had asked
him yesterday whether Ministers intended
TO repeal it, in consequence of the obiecti-
ons formerly stated to il To this, nc ans
we ed, that it was rather an important
question 20 be determined. during the pend
Ing OF treaty W th America although he
was convinced such a repeal must be of
al ant &c TO the country. During the time
that Bill was pending, he was convinced it
would prove miSchieSous Bill, and III was
now more conhrmed in that opinion, as he
could venture to say, that it actually puts
this country in worse situation than we
were IN before by enabling the Americans
70 drive the British shipping out If the co.
ioDial trade, as the West Indian had no
means Of Carrying his sugar to America.
On these grounds, he very much doubted
whether upon competition between Bril-
tish and American ships, the latter would
not gain the ascendency
Niscount Hovtcx said there was no man
move DESTROYS than ne was To cultivate the
3 "d-wili d friendship Of Amer ca, be-
ing convinced II was for the interest both
Countries, but he could not carry that de-
SIRE 50 far as to say that an Act of Parlia-
ment, detrimental 70 our interest, and des-
rIcuve Of the British colonies, should not
ne repealed as soon as its evil effects were
oiScoved j. the Right Honorable Genie.
man h1d experienced the Inconvenience he
expressed, nothing coud justify him In not
pealiug u. hetru:h was, all TIE cborg.
IS brought forward upon this head former.
~ were total unfouudCd, and had been
~ m de by the present Ministers TO serve
their own purpose when in opposition. bus
Whicn hey ~ their cOnsciences. could not
NV venture to support. b, fore he sat !
uo"n, he coud not help saying a word or |
tToresPecting the conduct Of another Right