The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-08

There would be mo-e Intercourse between uses
people OF the different states, whc:, would tend
10 nationalist us, snd give more strength s. per-
Inanency tn the American union. To what eS-
tent this policy should be carried, l am net now
prepared to say. A distinction has been taken
between native and foreign com,serce, or what
is more commonly called the carrying trade
The policy of encouraging our citizens to parti-
cipatc in the carrying Trade is one thing,
ritime rights is another. The gentlemen in the
opposition complain that this measure bears pc
culiarly hard on the commercial states.
On the subject OF commerce, as all others of
national concern, am disposed so consider the
United States as an integcr, and to forget the
lines ofpar,Gon by which we are separated iuto
different states and districts, for the purposes OF
internal err,nent-but as the gentlemen have
contrasted the commercial with the agricultural
states, am w,iingto meet them. mad Thought
that this measure, 1t it's pressure was greater up
on one part OF the country than another, operated
moro severely upon the growth of cotton than
any other part Of the nation, and they ought if
influenced by pecuniary considerations te be the
first TO complain. The people | re ,sess,,t
AZ agricultural people. and ask the gentleman
otwhat importance it is to them whether then.
produce is carried i'll foreign or American YES
sells For what are the agricultural people now
suffering. but 30 maintain our maritime rights
Sir. we are wiling to disca"1 ali calculations of
profit and loss, ard make (, anon cause with
our brethren of other states a. defence of our na-
tional rights and independence
1t aprcars to me, sir, that the commercial peo-
pie Ought 20 bc thc!ast 20 complain. Our gov
eminent has imposed discriminating tonnage du-
ties. to give our own vessels advantage in our
own ports foreigners. We have RENTED
the duties ON foreign articles imported into the
U"aed States, Intended for exportation-Our
government has eyinced every disposition to fos-
ter commerce and maintain her maritime rights
We are tcid that the people are opposed To this
c@s'" ., irrr pzuIj,r i si,uii
always bow with reverence. But, sir, it ought
to be remembered, that in this country the will
OF the majority must Prevaii-it is fundamental
principle OF our government, snd it we are to
JhaSe from recent events, great majority ofthis
nation are i'll favor of this measure. We are in
formed, and it has bscn intmated Gu this floor,
| that rebellion in the Eastern states will be the
probable consequence Of perseverance in this
measure. Are we 90 be driven from he course
dictated by the public interest by alarms Of this
sort Are we to be told by minority that we
| must recede from the ground we have taken
That we must admit the government has not sufi-
Gent energy 10 enforce ts Authority. or that they
,, Will rebel viii gentlemen inform us who they
are that are prepared to erect the standard ofre-
beion against their own government on the ve-
| ~ graves OF the brave SoStOn.ans who first rails
ed the standard of American independence
lhey must be some new people who have OBJ
truded themselves upon cur shores--they cannot
be Amer;csns-I will not think so unworthy of
my countrymeil-I believe the American people
are generally attached to their government. 1
trust 1t 10 but the cl2mor OF the moment, which
VIII cease the Tcr2ent the viii OF the govern
ment shall be decsiveiy and ccnstitutona.ly ex-
pressed. Ithas been frequently SAID that Great
britain is lighting Tor the liberties of the world
ihat she is the only barrier between France and
universal dominion, and therefore that orr weight
ought TO be thrown into the scale ofEngland, to
assist her III this mighty conflict If our friend
ship Is necessary TO England, ought she not 70
enGue hersei to it, Mt lesst do us justice and re-
spect our rights Shall we submit to insults and
udiSnities from Great Britain, to induce her 10
save us from subjugation by France Shall we
admit for moment that we Cannot maintain our
independence The gentlemen in the OPPOSITE
on have protested against submission +; they have
not declared themselves for war; if they are for
1T, hope they will avow it--they have proposed
no substitute. l an not prepared to say how
long good policy VIII Justify continuance ofthe
present system but sir, am ready to declare
that viii adhere to it until better can be sub
sututed. it be true, as the gentleman from
Connecticut has informed us, that the most eff
clent means OF coercing Great britain, is TO AZ
feet her interest, and if it be true that our M
barge will compel the West India planters to
convert their sugar plantations into corn fields
for subsistence, if il viii produce q scarcity of
cotton in Great Britain, or enhance the price
If bya non-importation act we can deprive her
OF \ market for large portion of her manusss
lures, the present system with the addition Cfa
non-import&tion act, if firmly adhered to, and
well executed, may have the desired effect
Wken l cast my eyes over these states. and OBJ
serve the freedom and happiness they cnjoy l
eeI constrained to pause, before consent to take
4 step which vii! involve them in the calamites
of war When 1 consider the peculiar cherac-
ter OF the contest between the two great bellige-
rents of Europe, l feel very unwilling TO BE-
drawn into the vortex, lest the fate Of this happy
nation may become too closely connected with
the destiny of one or the other OK these conten-
ding powers.
At the same time considerit my duty to make
war the last alternative, l know the American
people would prefer to meet it, rather than sub
NIT to sacrifice of their national independence.
The conduct OF the belligerents, and the state of
our country furnish streng reasons for believing
that the period is not distimt, when this stcrna
tive must be accepted, if the present system
should prove inefficient. / hope l have not, in
the warmth of debate, violated that decorum
which the dignity of the Senate requires TO he
observed. certainly have not intended it. /
shall conclude with requesting gentlemen to re.
fleet, that in this hour Of difficulty and danger,
unarimty constitutes the basis Of national Sc
culitv
CDebafc to be continued
Those who have been accustomed to read
the HRTora, cannot be unprepared or taken
by surprize, unless they shut up their under