The Delaware gazette. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1809-1810, 1809-10-14

\
ary war, entirely suspended the practical
adherence to the right theory on this sub
ec,; but there are many evidences OF sc.
rious attention to that theory, among the
public acts and disqulsitions OF those times.
NO sooner had peace removed the oc.
casion OF this wise temporary suspension,
than the legislators of the severa! states, the
trainers of all commercial laws at tha, time,
commenced measures for the permanent es-
adjustment Of system of political econo-
my. /, is true that these laws were imper.
feet, and often faulty, from the conflicting
efforts Of agricult ural, commercial and ma
nuiacturing, and ri eastern, middle, south
ern, Atlantic and western economists; from
resentuents and partalities in respect TO to.
reign powers; and, above all, from the exer.
else Of duties concerning national and extra
territorial objects, by worthy, but Jealous
REPRESENTATIVES Of the interests of towns
and countries, or, in other words, for want
OF powers in the general government of that
time.
A memorable evidence of the convictions
of some of The most able, enlightened and
aHrciionate fathers Of our country, upon this
subject, will be found in the salntary and
suspicious proceedings of the Legislature of
Virginia, in their spring session of 1886,
which produced the commercial convention
at the city of Annapolis in he ioll'wing au-
tumn, the federal convention Of 1897, and
our present invaluable constitution. This
precious instrument, which has no, yet re.
ceived any amendmeu, of its powers in re.
latlou to commerce, is predicated on the
propriety, utility and necessity Of a system
of trade laws, founded on correct and fix.
ed principles.
In digesting laws for tia, branch Of our po-
litical economy, which ccmpreheuds cx,er-
nal commerce and nav CATION, the coasting
trade and the fisheries, the United States
will find themselves instructed by the expe.
rience of a quarter of century, as a coun-
try in peace, during the last sixteen years OF
which they have been in state Of neutraIi-
~. Many, and precious, it is believed
are the lessons which our statesmen may
derive from that extrao binary time.
II is ascertained that the construction
and employment of sea vessels are general
ly profitable occupations that they arc ne
cessary to agriculture aud defence. and be-
nehclal, and indeed requisite, TO manuiac.
lures.
1t will be RENE mbcret, thar those occu.
pations were commenced in the earlr stage,
OF our existence. grew with our prosperity,
contributed largely TO its increase, and have
risen sometimes in natural, steady and re.
guitar manner, and sometimes with surpris-
ing ripidity, to greater helghI than those
OF any other country, in proportion to our
wealth and numbers, proving at once the
fitness OF the territories and products of the
United States, and the capacities Of their
clnzens for ship building, fishing, trade and
navigation.
Il is truth which ought to be most &C.
cera,ely appreciated, that very large part
OF our recent bene fits from commerce. have
been produced Ly the wars that have arisen
out of The French revolutions, of which the
neutrality OF our country has enabled us
greatly to profit; aud we ought carefully to
remember, that the earliest French revolu-
ton having affected The years 'ss, and $50,
in the time OF the meeting of the n9tables,
and their first colonial disturbances, The
zoAoh Of our commerce under the existine
constitution sfthe United Stntes. n,av be con.
sldered as thct eta jartunate neu'rol. zphose
fem Of employmen5 zvay at f,M cnlurged,
ana effey1v@rds constantly extend~d By the
increase IF The nunlbe, Of the beAgerents,
hWot lea. til it i,c(uded Ill the civilized and
commercial states, except ourselves.
II We compare the immense present ton
mage OF our private ships, with the greatest
exports OF our own produce and manufac-
lures, and If we consider the moderate
quantities Of foreign commodities, which.
IN SEASON OF peace, we ever have, or are
ever likely 10 be permitted to carry for 9th.
er nations, we may safely conclude, that our
merchants and ship builders can provide
Tor the transportation of all our mcrchan.
disc, foreign and American, to transmar,ne
markets. The same facts will further prove
that II we could have the monopoly of our
own trade, it would not employ the vessels
we build and own. 1t is, therefore, too
probable, that. on the return of peace, our