Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-01-03
F12 2 Cents .S,ngiel

IN Parliament assembled, 90 most hun,Uiy
ioessech your majesty tha, it IN ~ be enac-
ted md ne 1t enacted BY the kings most
,eXce!ient m jestv, by and with tAe advice.
and lnsent OF the lords spiritual and t.m-
Iparai, and commons, in tbs presen, Parii-
amen assembled, and by. the authority OF
the Sd me, that from and after the passing
OF TINS act, there shall be raised, ievied,
collected, and paid unto his majesty. hjs
"elts ana successors, upon all goods, wares,
and merchandise, enumerated or described
IN the tables "a (B and co. annexed to
| THIS act, exported from Great Britain, the
several duties and customs, as the same
are respectively described and set forth in
hgures in said tables ("
In those tables marked A. 3. C.. are tn
be found productions OF the Unieed States
1t has been said, that Great Britain NAV
lay an export duty upon any goods within
ner ports.--Taat is readily aduitred-is
oeing mere municipal regulation. bur
treat Britain has no right ~ compel our
ships to carry our productions into her
ports, Tor the purpose OF imposing duties
thereon; and this IS the act regaia,in, our
commerce, of which combiaii.
Again, Sir, Great Britain mas attempted
10y tnisact OF Parliament to lay an export
auy upon the productions of the Un,ted
states, power not even entrusted 10 the
discretion os Congvsss.--I fad in the con.
stltution, these words no tax or duty
shall be laid OH articles exported from any
state. Here then is an express proni5i-
on 10 Congress against laying a duty on any
artlcies exported from any state yer
T.reat Britain hiss attempted by an act of
armament, to lay an export duty, on coz
ton exported from one of the United States
--an authority which can only be eyer
cised by the people in their hiehes. sove-
reign capacity.--lt is true, Sir, that Mr..
tanning offered to Commute this duty ineo
an entire prohibition of the article, us an
export from Great Britain. This, Sir.
was oh'y adding insult to injury, and shew-
Gu lhat Mr Canning possessed very tile
h"o"ieaSe OF the t,uman character, il lie
expected 10 scothe the feelings by insulting
the understanding.
regret that SO much respect was shewn
70 this proposition, as 10 forward it 10 our
government. 1t would have been more a.
seeeaoie 10 me, if the American minister
~ =, thrown the proposition back upon Mr..
Canning.
1t is true, Mr. President, that the ex,ort
duty, is TO be collected in London. ana nor
IN Charleston. But. Sir, il is not the b T.
ter in principle OH that account; and il is
worse ia pracrce. A vessel sailing from
charleston, is to be forced inro I.ou,ion.
for the purpose OF paving this triJute-bet-
ter would be 70 coiiec- it in Charleston,
because the Circu'ty ofthe VOYAGE w,ni
be saved and many other vexat,oas aatl
expenses wooded winch are now incurred
by being forced into London, TO make the
payment; and if this measure were 20 be
submitted to, should not be at ali surpri-
sed to see his most gracioas IN jesty in the
sp'iIt OF mit'gated retaliation, send out
al as>fn ~.
States, for he accommodation o. our ner.
chants II that case,I presu ne, W. should
all admit it TO be a duly imposed Gpon an
article exported from a particular state.
Are we. SIR, no, only baseiy to surrender
TO Great Britain our rights, entrusted to US
oy the people, but tredcherously to them TO
surrender rights reserved to themselves
IN their highest sovereign capacity |. And
IN case like this, Sir, can il be NECESSARY
to resort 10 argument, to rouse the indig-
nant feelings OF the American people ?
Mr.. President, the eyes of the world are
now turned upon US if we submit to .hsse
lndignltles and aggressIons, Great Britain
herself would despise US I; she would con-
slider US as an outcast amongst nations she
would not own us for her offspring; France
would despise us all the world would des.
pise US ; and what is infinitely worse, we
should be compelled To despise ourselves y!
Ii we resist, we shall command the respect
OF our enemies, the sympathies of the world,
and the noble appreciation of our own con.
sciences.
Mr.. President, eur fate is in our own
hands let us have union and we haveno.
thing to fear. So highly do prize union.
at this awful moment, that 1 would prefer
any one measure Of resistance with union.
! to any other measure of resistance with d.,
vision let us then, Sir, Danish all personal
!teelinss let us present TO our enemies.
the formidable front OF an indIssodbIe band
OF brothers nothing else is necessary TO
our success. Mr. President, unequal IA
this contest may seem favored as we are
by our situation, and under the blessing OF
beneficent Providence, who has never
lost sight of these United States, in times of
difficulty and trial, | have the most perfect
confidence, that IL we prove true to our
selves, we shall triumph over our enemies.
Deeply impressed with these consderati.
ons, am prepared to give to the resolr.i-
on, Hat and decided negative,