Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-02-17
y CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Friday February 10.

NAVIGATION LAWS.
The House then resolved itself into com.
nittcc of the whole, 43 to 80, Mr. Desha III
the chair. on the bill reported by MIR Dana con
serninp associations for the security of navi
CATION.
TThe bill provides "That in cases wherein
the armament OF Merchant vessels tor detenc-
NAV be allowed by any iaSv of the u States,
If sba,I he Lawful Cor the citizens fthe u s. to
agree, that any ships or vessels by them o n
ed sl,pIt sal, in concert and be associated for
mutns, ass;stsnce and protection in any voyage
or yovapos no, contrary to law anG during any
time or times which may be designated by IN
8 -,,mcnt i'm writing duly executed by the own
ers or their authorised agents. The supuia-
tons of the parties contained IN such instru-
mert may extend 10 the eGnipmen: and force
o. tn vessels respectively, the relative author
itv of the masters or commanders, the appoint
ment of places and times of rendezvous and
sailing. the regulations of Signals. the direction
oftIie general course of the voyage or voyages,
the orders to be observed in cases of separa-
ton or danger, apd the making OF arrangements
for conducting and managing the respective
vessels a, may be most effec.ual for assistance
In a,.- case of peril or misfortune and for pro.
tecin. all or anv of them against forcible
seizure or ANNOYANCE Provided, That No
such srrecrent or stipulation shall contrayene
any instructions or orders issued according TO
law by the President of the u S.-That the
respective ships or vessels sha be holden for
the stipulations contained III any such Insttu-
ment concerning .her,.and small accordingly
be chare.cablc for such compensation or indem-
nifty as may be Justly required OIL account of
any failure to perform the sane as well AS for
satisfying aly reasonable claim Of contribution
on account % toss " damage incurred III pur'
suance thcreoG The rates o. contribution TO
be so made shall be apportioned TO and among
the respective vessels az the parties may nave
consented and declared by such instrument,
or. in failure of such d ciaratiol, the ,ppor-
tionment the SAM shall be adjusted by tue
competent court &c.
-Tue words A. Ita.ic IN the above were inser.
ted by amendment on motion OK Mr. J. q. Jack
sor.
In explaining the operation of the provi-
sions es this bill
Mr. Dana said that it did not propos. to
change the state of OUR foreign relations with
re spect to any power wifateTrr; 1t deciued
nothing RESPECTING tie cases IN winch mer.
chantYessss might be permitted to arm for
their defence, but proceeded Oh the suppose
ton hat there NIGH, be cases III winch arinng
the merchant vesseis Uf tine u. s. shouiI be
authorised by law. The object ofthe Bal was
to make such arnin9 eificacious by combining
different vessels that they might act t,getner.
the importance OF concert being welt Known 10
every person who had attended 60 the dii.
fculty ofattainipg any point by individual and
unconnecsed efforts 1t was well $40 WA that,
for some trades, vessels were now permitted
TO arm aud If with respect to the great pow
ers OF The civilized world the u. 5. were TO
pernl:l their vessels to- arm, the bill would e.
qually apply 10 associations for defence against
them as .galnst any other enemy
Such association might now take place
by compact wher- vessels were permitted
to arm, which however could be o5hgato-
ny on the owner only. The object OF the
bill WIS that me vessels engaged mig.,,
be pledged Tor the performance OF the COM
pacs
Some desulsory discussion took place on
the details of the oil, in whcn Mcssrs.
D5na, L We, Burwc +, u. X. Williams, 5 ni-
lie ana iiisset PAL ,cok Messrs Eppes and
B4sseL appeared TO be opposed to the prn.
ciple OF the bill, the objection to whch
appeared to be that it sanctioned arIna-
memts by individuals larger than the govern
ment itself Chose TO support, and that the
government might be deemed IN some sort
pledged 20 q responsibility for tneIr acts
the committee rose aud reported the
bill, which was ordered u third reading.