The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-12-09

and seize and coniscate our vessels, because they
attempt trade which she forbids, and only b..
cause she forb,ds It, cannot our government do
toe same IN relation To her trade Ifshe can turn
our vessels into her ports to pay duty and take
out hcenee, what prohibits us from doing the
SAME as To her vessels England is a nation
so are we. England is Independent SO are we
what prohibits us fiom doing to England wins,
England does TO us Unquestionably nothing.
To say that we have no right to do to England
what England does to us, is TO acknowledge our
own 'nfsiiority it is TO acknowledge that she
may demand without limitation, and that we are
unQer ob!igatlonto submit without limitation.
am aware, that il may be objected to
the resolutions, that the adoption of them
would lead to hostility; but the same obrc-
ton is equally applicable to any resolution
winch would go 10 the vindication of our
commercial rights. They oughe not to lead
to hostility; they arc merely retaiiatery.--
They follow the spirit OF the British orders
IN council aud French DEGREES, and there
lore cannot be complained of by either pow
er. There is L great and profitable com
merce, and rapidly increasing. passing not
inaeed before our doors, but near.enough to
make the capture Of vessels engaged i'm it
convenient to us, which the resolutions have
chiefly in view. Iailude To the Brazil and
Spanish Main trade.
Is 1t not matter ot surprize, that COM
merce so profitable, so extensive and so con-
Veii'e.t, Should have been permitted to a
government, which permits no commerce to
us, hut what her convenience and interest
suggest ?-lsit not strange, that we should
have suffered that government to partici-
pate IN a commerce which both our interest
ana cur convenience stimulate us to engross
i,et above all, is it not inexplicable, that We
should Paasively have suffered the monopoly
OF toy her, when we ourselves were will
HE and able to engross it I
The House will, perceive on the face of
resolutions. that as they regard France
Ieey are equivalent to wat mcclure
ne itheroy war measure urr by tia whicI
nave the honor TO submit, can we come i'm
contact with France she has TO commerce
on the ocean. In relation to England 1t is
short, infinitely short of war; because by
war her continental colonies would fall her
west india Islands would be distressed, and
our prirateers would Gus up her commerce;
pue the resolutions propose merely to retort
the evils OF her own injustice, to do other
what, and no more than what, she has done
to us reserving for another oecasi N any fur
ther remarks, | beg leave TO read the reso-
intlons to the House.
Mr.. lroup then read the following resolu-
tons:
Pe5olved, That it is e-pedent to autlo Use tb.
armed vessels OF the u S. to stop < br ng into
the ports of the same, al sh ps or vessels with
their cartsoes the property of the subjects of the
k'ns OF g. Britsn,.s 4: OF the emperor Of France
bouhdto ports other than those within the DOM
mons or colonies of either
ResoIred, That it is eXpedient further TO a,i-
tho1se by law, the detention of all ships or YES.
sells, with thcir cargoes, the property of The sub
Jects OF the king of Great Britain, until the du.
ues to be regulated and ascertaned by law, shs IL
be first levied and collected upen the goods and
merchandise, whereof the said ships or vessels
shall bs laden. and until the said ships or vessels
shall have received duc iicence to depart
Resoirrd. That il is expedent further to au.
thorise by law the detention OF all SHIPS or YES
seis with their cargoes, the property Of the sub
Jects OF the Emperor of Frsnce brought within
the ports ofthe United States, there to abide the
hnal decision or order of the government ia rela-
ton to the same.
ResoIved, That an al Sakorcm duty Of
be levied and collected on all goods,
wares or merchandise OF British product or
manufacture.
Resolved, That it is expedient further to author
Use the President, on payment fthe duties author
ised to be levied 4 collected the goods laden on
board vessels the property of the subjects of the
king of Great Britain, forthwith 10 grant licence
to such vessels 70 depart and proceed to the port
aboriginal destination, without further hindrance
or molestation.
The Horse having agreed to consider these
resolutions
On motion Of Mr.. Trouh, they were or
deTsd to lie on the table as he stated to give
to every member the same time TO consider
them, as he has himself taken.
THIRD CENSUS.
Mr.. Fisk said that among the objects to
which the attention of Congress ought to be
directed at the present session, was that en-
braced in the following motion
That provision ought to be made by law
for taking the third census OF the inhabitants
of the u. So
The motion was agreed to without oppo-
sltion, and a committee appointed to bring
in bill conformably thereto
Dec. S.
FOREIGN LICENSES.
MIR. M'him, after some remarks going
to shew that no subject more imperiOusly
demanded the attention of the Legislature
than the practice pursued by some Ameri-
cans. of trading under foreign licenses, sub
mitied the following resolution; which was
ordered to lie for consideration.
ResotUed, That committee be appointed
to enquire into the expedieRcy C. prohibiting
by law, vessels ownedb citizens of the u =.
States from trading under the licenses or
permissions of any foreign prince or state,
to any port or place not under the dominion
OF such foreign prince or state, and that the
committee have leave to report by bill or
otherwise.
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