Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19
liz 1-2 Cents Singled

: inw OF the u s. they would see how the prin
I, ciPlc recognized by that could be pplied r.
{ Amer can sesmen. That act speaks OF certsir
qualifications which should cntitle vessels to be
, named vessels ofthe U. c. The Qualifications
{ are three. The first, for the encovra e men,
: OF : merlcan ship building, requires that a yes
! sci shall be bu IL In the u. s American con.
strucuon. The next, that this vessel shall be
owned by American characterization con.
lstrucuon and American property, The next.
that vessel shall rot enjoy the privilege of
merioan vessels, longer than commanded bv AN
American cap,ain-Americs construction.
property and commander. These three qua.
i sell
The addition which Mr. d. proposed to these
lquaihcations, was, that these vessels should be.
lnaUgated by proportion of American mari.
lners this was the proposition which he should
submit Assoon as the proposition was stated;
ITS operation would be instantly seen. If &
were adopted, American scamen would Of
course IN preference be employed il would
give them more com Portable means of subsis.
tence The merchant would be compelled to
employ them, IT his vessels could not otherwise
ENJOY the privilege of American vessels ard
all his exertions to procure American seamen
would be more than compensated by the dmi-
lhulIoh OF duty IN consequence of their employ
ment. Ii would then be the interest as well
tiers, as they might be kept out of employ bv
raise swearing of seamen not citizens. In a.
Iuopung this principle into our navigation law
Mr.. D. felt perfectly willing to renounce the
whole system of certificates and protections
de did not wish American seamen to carry
projections while on board our ships he wish.
q that their being on board an American shin
isnould be a sufficient protection and if this
peacable means protection win not answer.
5hd Mr. ID. let us take stronger measures.
But IN giving man this protection with mere
~ documentary proof, IN giving him tIa
complete protection of the American hag it
would he perceived that he would enjoy Il no
ionger than he was faithful to his duty. Inor-
der to entitle vessel to the Character of a re.
{lstered vessel it would he necessary that IL
should appear that she had on board proper
tion OF American seamen. 1t ould be IA piain
ECU alton, no acknowledgement of infer oritv.
ma ITS adoption would not interfere with any
Existing treaty or negotiation.
There was a reason why he felt disposed TO
nave this subject considered at the present
ume. The operation ofthe embargo would NJ,
loubt throw out of employment a great many
3eameni among them might be foreign sub.
lects Thrown out of employ by the embargo,
nd portion of them being called homo nv tha
proclamation of lis Britannia majesty. MIR ~.
should suppose 1t probable that foreign se.men
might be induced to gointo other service. He
wished to hold out to American seamen. to our
own citizens, the inducement Of emDl,vm,.rt
y pref renee to others, thereby giving some
;anse to hope for brighter prospects and better
tLmes than the present. With these views ne
offered the following resolution
Resofved, That fer the encourg -rncnt and Sc.
cllrlty OF seamen Of the Uuited States. IL il ex
pedleHt to make provision, that re gistered sbips
or vessels, after time to be limited bv law.
shall not continue to enjoy the benefits md nri.
a oI,s r.
United States, unless some proportion of the
mariners on board the same shall be citizens of
tie United States.
Mr.. d moved that II be referred to com.
mttee OF the whole on Wedn. sday next thar
ITS principle might be fully discussed-A-
greed.
Mr. Dana said it would be recollected ,bot
the secretary of the treasury had reported a
statement ofthe tonnage in the United States
this document he deemed very interestino.. and
II might have an important bearing on the SUBJ
lJect just referred. 1t was also important 70
Know how many seamen were registered iptbe
OhIted States as American, that the house
might Judge how the seamen were proportion.
ed 70 the tonnage. He was not certain tbst a.
secretary Of state could give all the irformsfian
desired butall that he had Mr.. D.svvisbedi 10
procure, and therefore submitted the f,llf,s-ino
RESOLUTION, Which was7ad6pted
! ReSofOea, That the secretary of state be, a.
rected to lay before this house statement, of
the respective numbers Of citizens ofthe Upii-
ed states registered rs American seAmen, aud
now nelongng to the several districts Of the
Customs, according to the returns made h., 49,
1 collectors, m pursuance Of the law rclatiyc 10
lhc relief and protection of american seamen.
Mr. Van Horn offered the following res5iu.
ton, which he conceived to embrace figna.
ton connected with the resolution this .ay bro.
Iposed by MIR. Dana re-"
l. .sr.
ReSofvsa, that the secretary Of the treasury
DC requested TO lay before this house state.
led IN the y. in The deportation Of s,fici,.s 20
the produge Or manufacture Of the u States =
Agreed to.
! Books,