The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-19

"
The Speaker laid before the, House re-
port from the ost-lIaster-Gc General favorable
ITO the petition of Samuel Whiting Refer
red to select committee, withleav to report
BY bill. ,si ~
Mr.. Hii6our. presented petition from
sundry citizens of Rhode Island, PRAYING for
the erection of a lighthouse at point
Referred to the committee of Com
merce and Manufactures
Mr.. M. ID. Williams from the committee
to when the subject was referred, reported a
bill making further compensation to the mar
shals OF the districts of North-Carolina and
New-Jersey. Read twice and referred to a
committee of the whole
Mr.. Dana begged leave to state to the
House a proposition which had for its object
the encouragement and the security Of the
seamen of the. United States by this ex-
preston he meant all who belonged to the ma
tional family, whether by birth or regular "a
doption. The proposition which he meant to
offer, contemplated a measure of permanent
policy, to which the United States might adj
here in either alternative of peace or war.
Ihe adoption of the measure could not inter-
fere with any stipulation which might be
made In any treaty between the United States
ana any foreign power, or with any negocia-
ton pending or expected; it did not propose
to renoGnce any claim ever made BY the go
vernment of the United States. 1t proposed
no national degradation or acknowledgements
OF lntellority to any power whatever. Yet the
proposition was of such a nature that he an
pretended it would, if adopted, essentially
diminish the range of controversy as respect
ed seamen; and might be carried to such an
extent as to annihilatc it altogether When
ne SAID this, he spoke as to those seamen who
did in fact belong to the United States The
proposition proposed marked distinction
between our own seamen andthose who were
aliens to our Country and our laws, and gave
preference to our own, over any other 1t
proposed that they should have better and
more employment, that they should be known
to certainty and firmly protected. IF he
should be asked what this proposition was, it
would be evident that it was plain measure
1t exhibited nothingo of the magnifcence of
learned and abstract disquisition it was a
proposition which addressed itself to the in
terest OF the merchant and to the heart of the
American seaman. That the House might
understand how it was intended to accomplish
this object, he would call their attention first
10 the revenue laws, and then to the naviga-
ton laws of the United States. t
| 1t would be sufficient to observe, as respect
ed the revenue system, that the laws of the
United States, marked strong distinction
between vessels of the United States and all
others. The term vessel of the United States
! denoted title TO peculiar benefits and ,r,vi-
ieSes, and exemption from the extraordinary
duty ON tonnage, and an exemption from a du-
ty OF 10 per cent. on all articles imported.
TINS being levied as a discriminating duty, in
| addition to the ordinary impost, OH all goods
imported IN foreign vessels. This duty was
nearly equal to the average expcnce of freight
across the Atlantic; so that it gave dcci-
ded preference, and of course greater en-
ployment to American vessels. 1t was pro-
posed to avail ourselves of the same princi-
pie Tor American seanen; making it requi-
site that portion of the seamen should be A.
mericans, thereby ensuring them employ
meEt by this duty of 10 per cent to be incur
redby the employment of foreign seamen in
preference. .. .... 81,
| If the House would advert to the nayigat;-
on law OF the United States, they would see
how the principle recognized by that could
| be applied to,Americen seamen. That act
speaks OF certain qualifications which should
entltle vessels to be named vessels of the u
nlted States. The qualifications are three.
/ he hrst, for the encouragement of Ameri-
can ship building, requires that vessel
shall be built in the United States Ameri-
can construction. The next, that this vessel
shall be owned by American citizens-Ame-
rlcan construction and American property.
l he next, that a vessel shall not enjoy the
privilege of American vessels, longer than
commanded by an American captain Anne
rican construction, property and comman-
der. These three qualifications were neccs-
sary fora registered vessel
The addition which Mr.. D. proposed to
these qualifications, was, that these vessels
should be navigated by proportion of Anne
rican mariners--this was the proposition
! which he should submit AS soon as the pro-
position was stated, its operation would be in
stantly sees. If it were adopted, American
seamen would of course in preference be en-
ployea IT would give them a more comfort
able means OF subsistence The merchant
would be compelled to employ them, if his
vessels could not otherwise enjoy the privi-
ledge OF american vessels; and all his cxer-
tons to procure American seamen would be
| more than compensatory the diminution of
duty, iii consequence of their employment.
! 1t wouldthcn be the interest as well as duty
| OF american seamen topoint out impostors,
as they might be kept out of employ by false
! swearing OF seamen not citizens In ADOPT
ing this principle into our navigation law, Mr..
~. felt perfectly willing to renounce the whole
system or certificates and projections He
did not wish American seamen to Gerry pro-
testions while on board our ships he wished
that that their being on board an American
snip should be proper protection !; and if
this peaceable means of protection will not
answer, said Mr.. y. let us take stronger
measures put n, o;v;na. n :.