The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-07

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could a benefit result to the u. S frcn, scch
q denial. Wasis considered Al injury IN, ise
year 1894 that fishermen should exercise
their calling during the existence OF an cm-
bargos No Fhc only apprehension then
was, according to documents which were
read TIE ether evening, that possibly the cm-
barge M ght be eyaded BY fishing vessels OK
porting goods; it was then never imagined
that going ON the fishing grounds and taking
fish could have an injurious tendency. AS
the law now stood he should put the same
on it as the gentleman from Mas
sachusetts; but as it might create difficulties
among the collectors, he wished it to be more
explicit, except, and he hoped not, it was
their intention to prevent fishing vessels from
going out of the u. S.
Mr.. Croycninshietd explained his reasons
for opposing the amendment He said that
the same provision was already expressed in
the first section of the bill, and implied in the
embargo law he was decidedly in favor of
lit, and that fishermen should be above to go
on the banks, and bring their fish into the
United States. He would not admit, even If
1.-THE provision were stIisen out u the first
section, that their citizens wo,tt be obliged
70 starec in the streets, or seek employ in
ltcrc!Sn countries. 1t was not the intention
lof the House to deprive these worthy men of
1.-THE means OF sustenance: and he did not
wish such an idea obe impressed on the pub
| lie. II thevWCre deprived o. their subsistence
Ithey might think Congress had acted unjust
u, bGt they would submit; they would not
seek the service of foreign countries, more
! ESPECIALLY Of CT. Il. Re should not have risen,
had not an attempt been made TO convey an
idea that he was opposed to the principle of
| eproyiso; he was not opposed toit !; he be-
| ievcd they ought to be allowed 70 fish /; and
Ill
III now stood, that the Secretary of the Trca-
surv would conceive himself authorized to
permit them to so abroad on their fishing
lyoyagc the Secretary himself had told Mr..
| Z. that he should so consider the intention Of
the law.
| Mr. Quincy expressed himself opposed to
Fastening the decision OF measure CT SO inn
Iportait and Complicated nature as this
without enc moments consideration. 1t
seemed from the conversation which had t:l-
ken place that an addition to this proviso,
would make it more paiatable; he therefore
moved to amend his moSion by adding rs fol-
lows;
And provided also that bond with sufficient
security be previously given, that such ship
or vessel shall not directly or Indirectly car
ry on any commerce whatsoever, during the
voyage, and shall return with her fishing
farm TO some port or place within the u.
Estates.
MIR. Macon doubted whether the amend
ment as itnow stood would be attended with
its contemplated effects, for the first part of
the first section excepted these vessels from
giving bond, while the proviso proposed de-
lciared that they should give bond.-yVhiIe
! up he would make q fey remarks The gen
| t!emar from Massachusetts (Mr. Livermore)
seemed to suppose that gentlemen who OPP
! posed the amendment wanted candor Mr..
M. supposed he must mean him because he
was the only person who had opposed it; he
would not say whether this severe charge at
tached with Justice to him, but the House
would Judge, who had so long known him.
| The same gentleman had said if this cxenp-
| ton were not made in favor of fishermen, they
would go to foreign countries. If this positi-
on was sound the whole law was wrong.
Where was the difference between fishermen
out of employ and sailors out of service |,
Would not one as soon as the other seek for
eign service? fthcy had solittle patriotism,
one description would go soon as the other.
The embargo was intended totally to stop our
exports but the gentleman said fishing was
a regular business. So was navigating yes
sells a regular business ofseamen; it was the
means by which they lived. Another gentle
man from Massachusetts was not perfectly
correct as to the construction given by the
Secretary Of the Treasury to the law; which
operated no farther than the opinions of those
concerned were in concurrence with this o.
pinion. All the Secretary could do was to
give his Instructions; and those who thought
them not correct could appeal from his con-
struction of the law.