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

Ehe committee of Commerce and Manufactures
to whom was referred the Memorial of William
Haslctt and Others Merchants and Traders of
the city of Philadelphia, respectfully submit the
following REPORT.
The committee entertain no doubts.
Statement ! that the facts arc Justly and correct
OF the case. ~ stated i'll the memorial The OBJ
cct the mcmoralists have in view,
Is to obtain permission for their vessels to pro-
coed on their respective voyages
The cargoes consist principally of haxseed, an
article depending on speedy expectation, to en-
sure its value. The memoriaiist, place great reli-
ancc, to obtain the permission sought, on the
hardship of their cases. and also on the ground of
having procured clearances for their vessels,
from the custom hsuse, to proceed on their voy
ages, previous to the passage OF the act. laying
an embargo
s.1 While the committee view, with
Report. becoming sensblty, the distressing
situation in which the memorialists
are placed; while with them they deplore and
deprecate the events, which have brought to u
pause the commercial intercourse of the United
States with foreign natiops-they cannot give
their assent TO the opinion, that the OF the
5Demorialsts arc entitled to exemption from the
apconvcncnces and hartships, if not the losses,
which result from general embargo. The COM
mittec cannot see any reason, why the cases, now
under consideration, ought to be Disseminated
from those OF other citizens. They cannot per-
ceise, how the mere compliance with the usual
Sorm OF taking out clcarahces, for vessels to pro-
coed on their VOYAGES, cen invest the memoria-
lists with any distinguished privileges. From the
distressing condition of the American commerce,
liable, In its peaceful and inoftensive pursuits, to
aggressions and outragcs from the belligerent
nations of Europe, it became the indispensable
duty of congress-, to inhibit, by an embargo, the
departure, on foreign voyages, of our scamen
our vessels and merchandise The republic feels
vitality those injuries, which arise from the I'M
poverishment of its citizens, and from the depri-
privation, by illegal iJnprcssments and detentons
or its mariners. The strength of republic, re-
sides i'll the citizens ii can number, and in their
patriotism and valor Impotent and inefficient
would that government be, without the invcsti-
ture ofpowers, in extraordinary crises, to controu
and restrain the persons pursuits ofthe citizens
Such government, destitute of that natural and
irresistible impe;ns and energy, indispensable to
Misrepresentation, would crouch 10, and sink under
the first blow that should be aimedat it, The en-
hghtened and virtuous patriots, who framed the
constitution, forcseeing the trials and conflicts the
United States would have, i'll their political pro.
Kress, to encounter, infused into that instrument
all the Nigor essential to the accomplishment of
the end for which it was designcd-the happiness
and salvation ct the nation. That the extraor,li-
nary powers here spoken of, and commended for
are given TO congress by the constitution cannot
be denied The acts of congress, recorded in the
statute books long acquiesced in by every dcscrip
| support OF the right to exercise those powers
The acts alluded to- are the embargo laid in 1904
and the several laws passed the 28th of Februa
~, 1906 and 1907, to suspend the commercial in
Intercourse between the United States and certain
parts of the island of St. Domingo
The embargo laid in 1894 operated alike ON all
vessels, whether they were, or were not, cleared
out PRIOR to the time II enforced nor has
such distinction ever received the sanction of a.
ny nation, the peculiarly Of whose situation inn
posed an embargo, as an act of imperious neccs.
sity.
With equal grace, and the Same Justice. could
Nle farmer and planter, the mechanic and manu-
ficturer, put in their claim to exemption from the
sacrihces, which they offering on the altar sf
patriotism assigning reason for the exemp.
Non, thSt the products and articles of their res
Fectlve vocatIons, were the acquisitions of their
skill and industry, previous To the existence of the
net laying an embargo, and that they have the
hight, if they should think proper to exercise il
40 export those products and articles to FOREIGN
markets. 1t the position of the memoralists he
sound, it would be absurd III the extreme ever Law
az embargo, as IT never could be brot into action nj
the time, when all the energies OF such measure
were required for the public safety and welfare
Were vessels permitted 10 proceed on FOREIGN
voyages, congress would dcscrvedy merit cen
sure for inconsistency, and for wanting dienifed
stability and fl1nness III the day of trial Tho
committee never be induced 10 recommend =
policy, nerveless, and without L character wh,Ie
shey maintain due regard and devotion to nation
al honor, and to national interest
The attention of the committee, having been
directed TO the memorial OF the merchants and
araders OF Philadelphia, by an order of the house
of representatives, they feel themselves constr1in
ed, in deciding on the embargo cases before them
70 take transient view of tie causes, which led
TO that measure, and to express their opinion of
shc necessity, imposed on The United States. oil
adherlng 10 If, until proper assurances are gjyen.
that their neutral rights shall be respected Those
who have bestowed any thoughts on the stat, off
affairs i'll Europe, mus have contemplated .,
probable measure of this kind ON the pressure
Of inauspcio,ls events.
The love of domination and the c,lpitty of com
p1ercia monopoly, have regularly and undeyiat |
--hgly been producing and FEATURING this ex,raor
dinuy crisis, in which, without their accord the
United States arc unnappily involved. If a wise
aud prudent policy, toleratng and countenaacinc-
no measures orpractices, Which could coiapromit
thepeace, or interrupt the harmony Of the Unit
ed States, with any Of the beligerent nations of
Europe, could have preserved to them the adyan.
tases OF an honest andimpartid neutrality orr ci
tizens and merchants would not now be hrncrtina
that languor and inactivity, produced by a susnen
si0nof commerce. Congress had it IN its option
either to permit the continuance of commerce. or
10 resort 70 the secure and precautionary measure
Of AN embargo If the continuance Of commerce
had been preferred, Congress, from the existing
cf NaotilI have ....p