The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-01-12

EMBARGO laws.
Mr.. Good,fch-rhis bill making further
provision ior enforcing the embargo, re-
quires ali oar attention. We are not on or
uiidr: uissrrss. 1hn ctt,oa, yo-ios am iida-
finite period, over a great country Ike ours
Astounding in rick Staples and domestic pro-
ducc, and Carving TN in its own vessels an
extensive and profitable commerce., is u
l'icn"rse,on in the civilized world. We
are about entering on &c second year of this
ino.cl :ne3anrc, and even in defiance Of the
lessons, Which experience teaches, that
withait producing any beneficial results, it
is enibroiling tire choicest interests of the
%nation. On foreign powers it has made no
ilnpressicIr-and its iuinaus effects on cir
own country, we see in the waste of pri-
vate property and pubic revenue-in the
tGsrontents ofour citixens-iu the pcrp,eXcd
state of the public councils. and the increas-
ing difficulties that are fast gathering arcund
the government. The friends of the embar-
go say it has been ey0dcd and violated, but
that when strictly enforced, it will compel
foreign nations to respect our rights. Under
these impressions the sy s;em as to be main.
tanned. 10 enforce it, the powers CT the
government are to be put in array through
out cur country, especially in places where
discontentS are manifested, and an extern
sion is to be given to that sy STEM Of arbitrary
SN'St' - ~ ssOptto, dtAl
domestic products, on suspicion OF their be-
ing intended for exportation, which came
in with the embargo laws, and has attended
their execution.
In all this, sir, I see nothing that is to con-
ciliate the conflicting opinions and passions
OF our citizens, and restore concord among
them. l see nothing that will invigorate the
public councils, and resuscitate the dorraan
spirit and resources Of the nation. To NE
1T seems that the Administered ton, without
presenting to public viz W any definite object
or course, are pressing forward cur affairs
into a chaos Of ineXtricabic difficulties. And
! cannot but regard this bin as holding a
prominent place among the measures leading
| to that unfortunate issue.
inns DIii bears marks OF disIrusts, en-
tertaiIlcd by the government OF the people,
or a considerable portion of them, and of the
state authorities it places the c~oasting
trade under further and vcXatious restraints,
as we'll as>ts general regulation, under the
control OF the president it intrenches on
the municipal policy of the states, and the
intercourse Of the people in their ordinary
business; and, what above all will wound
the public sentiment, for the accustomed &
mild means OF executing the laws by civil
process through the tribunals of justice, it
substitutes military powers to be called cut
and exercised, not in aid, but in place, of
the civil authorities.
To shew that this is a correct delineation
OF the character, principles and provisions
OF the bill, ask, sir, your attention to
an calculation of its most important Sec
tions.
Not having had time critically to examine
the two first, which have been lately intro
duced by way of amendment, l pass them
without remark, leaving it for gentlemen
who may follow, to point cut their extra
VACANT and oppressive principles.
This bill, as before observed to you, sir,
subjects the coasting trade to further and
vexatious restraints, and places it under the
control otthc president.
1t is enacted (~section s. {" 1t shall not be
lawful to put on board any ship, vessel or
boat OF any description whatever, any spe-
Gle or goods, wares or merchandise, either
OF domestic or foreign growth, produce or
manufacture, and the same is hereby pro-
hiblted, unless a permit particularly stating
he articles thus to be laden, shall kave
been previously obtained from the collector
of the district in which such ship, vessel or
beat may then be, or from a revenue officer
especially authorized by the collector to
grant such permits nor unless the lading
shall be made under the inspection of the
proper revenue officers nor unless the owner
or Owners, consignee, Or factor of such
ship, vessel or boat shall, with the master.
Having given bonds with one or more ~sureties
to the us. III Il sum OF six times the value
of the vessel AID cargo, that the vessel shall
not leave the port without q clearance, nor
shall, when leaving the port, proceed to Il
foreign port or place, nor shall put any ar
ticle on board Ut any Other vessel and that
the whole cargo shall be relanded either
IN the por. where the vessel may then DC, or
in such other of the u States rs chaIt he
designated in tie clearance. And it shall be
lawful for the collectors Of the customs to
refuse permission to put any cargo on board
any sach skip, vessel or boat, whenever IL,
their opinion there is an intention to violate
the embargo, or whenever they shall have
received instructions tie that effect BY di-
%rection OF the president If the ". States,
ProUtdcd, that nothing contained ia this
section shall be construed To extend to any
ship, vessel or boat uniformly employed in
the navigation only cfbays, sounds, rivers and
lakes within thc jurisdiction Of the United
States, which shall have obtained a general
permission, agreeably to the provisions in
| the section of this act"
This third section regulates ali that bra nch
of the coasting trade not confined to rivers.
bays, sounds and lakes.
The sum required in the bond is six times
the value OF the vessel and cargo, and, as il
said by those well Informed, in most cases
will amount to fifteen or twenty thousand
| dplforc L 10 apur,L,,JoJ it,