Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1809-07-03
FAUSTULUS
From the Ncxsrork Soe


Nor-iatucowse Las The last bill from
the Senate goes to do away the most impor
tant feature in the Non. Intercourse Law,
namely the exclusion of French ships Of war
from our ports. II seems this bill has passed
the Senate unanimously, and in all p'oba-
biliiy will pass the lower house. In the
debate in the House Of Representatives ON
the Goth instant, Mr.. Randolph made the
following remarks in opposition to the
bill -
"This Law appears to be a very himsy CO
verlid to our national nakedness. A propo-
sition is made, lest obscurity should arise,
to admit the armed ships Of Great Britain
and France, and to this will give my neg.
alive. I understood the inhibition of last
session was to repel the outrages of the bel
llgerents, tho confess am no friend to
attacking - gun ships with paper. France
has still in force her edicts authorising the
capture Of our ships bound to or from Eng
land or even spoken to by British man Of
war, and lest she should not have opportu-
mites enough to predate on us we will open
our ports for her succor and extend to her
the rights ofhospitality, that after they re-
cruit they may go out and spiA take cur YES.
sells at the very mouth of our harbours.
Though don't think contrary conduct to
this would ever keep out the Patriot, or o.
ther ships, yet am unwilling to give them
the right and title to enter. wish to SEQ
when the relaxations on the part of France
can authorize this relaxation on our part
What does the 1ltn section Of the non-in.
tercourse law say That when either pow
err shall rescind her restrictions as they re-
late to us, we will rescind ours as they re-
late ,e her this is now cur situation and
IT is proposed to change this situation by
expressly admitting the ships of G. Britain
and France into OUR ports and barbours
sothat while the President of the U. States
has very wisely and very PROPERLY changed
the situation Of relations be,reen tbs co,p-
try and G. Britain, we are to change it With
respect to France so as to keep the balance
even between both.-Suppose the first re-
taxation had come from France, and the
president has suspended restrictions with
respect to her, what would be said, if we
would extend this relaxation to G. Britain
to preserve a balance between the one who
had and the one who had not come upon
terms want to see the relaxation of
France, and authorize our relaxation to wards
her or why we should admit her armed
ships and exclude her merchantmen.
mus, not be understood as wishing war
with France. would as strongly oppose a
measure ofthat kind as I did in 'oe, '9g,
1900, and as did las. session war with
England but situated as we are with res
pect to France, it will be highly improper
to pass a law opening our ports. to French
vessels. when week after our adjournment
we may have accounts that the great Empe.
! ror taking umbrage at our acts, had declar.
/. ed war and it is to hear some tidings from
France by which to govern our deliberations
| that am for more protracted session, and
not be PIT out of these walls before the qth
Of July, 10 be taken possession of by stran.
gers, TO pollute them BY their libatisns
look upon this to be public property, and no
one possessing right TO occupy 1t but BY
| vote Of this house. shall listen with plea
sure to any gentleman who will show the
necessity after all that passed last session,
ofthe utility Of this anendiaen, at The pre-
sent.