The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-10-17
.AAf8tenal,enus.
From, the Ns,f;.nai L,,Sii;s,.,c,


(Memor .ath< subjeet Of . Ndsisasi.n Act. IN.
slndins the encouragement Of fhe nsanu}acio,y
ysoats and sed eessels, and the tysieetiea Of
Hsarinerx. f,e
The sonsnsentfwsesf, prsgress, magnitude and
Prospects efthe nsercaatile chipping sfthe United
A recurrence to the ancient writings, which
relate to the colonial Establishments in North A.
Aericas will prove to the candid and iudious ex-
amioer. that the founders Of those provinces, of
whatever nation. which now compose the U s..
hook, for the time. very enlarged aud prospective
views Of Political ecoHo1ny s $50 ~, -, g.,
In the course Of that steady progress to the
present happy condition, which benificent Pro-
violence has dispensed to us, the fathers OF our
country end its attentive observers beyond the
Atlantic, have constantly asitated the inter-
sstng subject ofthe pOIiticdi econsnay Of che neu
-tuorld. -
From the birth of this country till the memo
Fable epocha of '76, its political economy was
modified by the hand Of jealous, interested and
powerful brother. 1t was Forgotten. or rather,
perhaps, amidst cloud of passions not perceiv
ed, that each of the American sections was, at
strict constitutional and public law, and in sub
stantial justice, genuine co ordinafe state of
federated empire--xnifed only by means of one
sommon esecati0e governmsnt-the small as
independent OF the great, rs the great of the
Small members OF that mixed monarchical nnion.
Under these circumstances, the people of this
country constantly observed, considered and
Judged WELL in matters relating to their political
economy. Their complaints against the evils,
touching that object, imposed upon them by the
elder members of the family, were founded
IN true wisdom, AZ well as substantial Justice.
The public necessities, in the revolutionary
war, entirely suspended the psactical adherence
TO the right theory this subject; but there
ana many evidences of \ serious attention to that
theory. among the public acts and disquisitons
No sooner had peace removed the occasion of
This wise temporary suspension, than the legisla-
torsof the several states, the trainers of all COM
merciai laws at that time, commenced measures
for the permanent establishment of a system of
) POLITICAL economy 1t is true that these laws
were imperfect, and often faulty, from the con-
Aictng efforts of agricultural, commercial and
manufacturing, and OF eastern, middle, southern,
Atlantic and western economists from resent
Inents and partiaties in respect to foreign pow
ars; and, above all, from the exercise of dIties
concerning rationae and extra-territorial objects
by worthy, but Jealous representatives of the in
terests OF towns and countless or, IN other words
sor want OF powers III the general government of
that time. $780,
A memorable evidence or the convictions Of
some ofthe most able, enlightened and affections
ate fathers OF our country, upon this subject will
be found in the salutary and auspicnus proceed
fngs of the legislature ofVirgina, in their spring
session OF 1886, which produced the commerce.
al convention at the city of Annapolis in the fol
lowing autumn, the federal convention of 1887.
and our present invaluable national constitution.
This precious instrument, wliish has not yet re-
ceived any amendment ofits powers in relation 10
commerce, is predicaredo on the proprety, utility,
and necessity of system of trade laws, founded
m correctsnd fixed principles.
In digesting laws for that branch Of our pol,
Nical economy, which, ceniprehends external
commerce and navigation, the coasting trade and
the fisheries, the u. States will find themselves
instructed by the experience ola quarter of a
sentury, as country in peace, during the last
10 years OF which they have beenn a state of
neutraity. Many and precious, it is believed, are
the LESSONS which our statesmen NAV derive from
that extraordinary time
1t is ascertaincd, that the construction and EN-.
Pioyment OF sea vessels a:s generally profitable
occupations that they are necessary 10 agricul-
tnre and defence, and beneficial, and indeed re-
4uIsite, to manufactures
1t will be remembered, that these OCCUPATIONS
were commenced in the early stages ofour exis-
Sence, grew with our prosperity, contributed
largely to its increase, and have risen sometimes
N natural, steady and regular manner, and
sometimes with surprising rapidity, to greater
height than those of any other country, in pro-
portion to our wealth and NUMBERS, proving at
once. the fitness ofthe territories and products of
the United States, and the capacities oftheir CT
6zens tor ship-building, fishing, trade and navi,
cation.
1t is a truth which ought to be most accurately
appreciated, that very large part ofour recent
benehts from commerce, have been produced by
: The wars that have arisen out of the French rev
slutions, OF which the neutrality of our country
las enabled Ms greatly TO profit and we ought
sarefut'y. to remember, that the earliest French
revolntion having affected the years Ss. and 80,
N the time of the meeting cf the notablss and Of
their first colonial disturbances, the whole of our
commerce under theexisting constitution of the
y. States, may be considered as that of a fort,,-