The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-23
DEBATE
On the bill concerning commercial inter-
course, ard TOR Other PURPOSES.
TUESDAY. Iannarx


course, ard for Other PURPOSES.
TUESDAY, January g.
In committee OF the whole-a motion ha
wing been made to strike out the 5lh sec.
tion of the bill.
Mr.. Seybert-Mr. Chairman, am un-
accustomed to public speaking, and there.
fore reluctantly lay before this honorable
committee the sentiments and opinions
which entertain on the bill now under dis
cussiOn My duty impels me to EXHIBIT tn
the American people in gsner:i, and to my
constituents in particular, the brincinles
which actnate and govern nay decisions as
one OF the representatives of the people.
hope the committee will indulge me for a
few moments with their attention.
1t cannot be denied, that all the CONNER
cial regulations of the United States mate
rally affect the district winch have the
honor to represent in this assembly. IL
would be n useless task to detail the extent
OF the cogmerce OF the city of Philadelnhi-
a, 1t is well known in all parts of The civil
lzed world, from that port the American
flag has proceeded to the remotest regions
L do acknowledge, that the city of Phiiadel-
Pima, In Common with every part of the u .
St1tes, owes much oft prosperity to com
.merce; from this circumstance it may be
inferred, that / should on all occasions. and
at all hasards, step forth as one of the cham
pions OF any commercial system, which.
IN the least of irs features, bore semblance
in favor of mercantile interest. To this |
answer, sir. that every vote which shall
give in this House, shall be pronounced uy,-
on principles which can reconcile to my
Judgment, and which my reason shall pro
clam to me to be right. consider the In
r. n ns2df No.
OF industry, as sordid and beneath the dig
nifty OF treemen, when it is to be obtained at
the expence OF national honor and sovereign
ty. Whenever, sir, can support any Com
merciai regulation, of an opposite tendency,
1t shall receive my warmest appreciation.
maintain the doctrine, that "the only sure
foundation OF commercial prosperity, is ma
tional independence and civil liberty -
These sentiments, if 1 mistake not, comport
with the true character of republican lie
gislator, and they are generally adopted by
the friends of my country. tits proper, that
the provisions in the bill should now be ex
amined for this purpose / will take re-
view of such sections of it as seem to me to
be connected with the gieat principle in
question.
In the 5th section Of this bill, its most pro-
mipent features are apparent. AS this Sec
", L
coed to state the view which ! have con.
ceived OF tie SYSTEM conlemp plated by the
bill
BY the 5th section, a difect trade between
the American states and Britain and her de
Tendencies, and also direct trade with
france and her dependencies, is declared 10
be admissible, provided, that said trade
snail be carried On i'll vessels wholly owned
by American citizens.
The 9Th section contains revoking clause,
which, i'll case Great Britain and 'Frapce.
or either of them, shall resoind the restric
tions which they have respectively laid
upon our commerce, enables the Preside
to make void the condition contained in the
5th section, whereby the necessity OF the
vessels being wholly American, in which
such trade is carried on, is done away, So
that the vessels of either nation, so rescirI-
ing, may freely enter our ports & harbors,
with or without cargocs., as was the case
before such restrictions we're laid.
What will this nation gain by the passing
of this bill! Or, rather let me ask. what
shall welose by such proceedings could
readily answer this question, by declaring it
as my opinion that the act Itself would he a
direct submission 10 the views and interests
OF one Of the great belligerent powers,
mean Great Britain. In fact, we should
thereby PROSTATE the national sovereignty.
Whether we enrich England, at the experice
OF our neglected Industry, is matter OF small
consideration. But when we do it, at the
eXpence OF our sovereignty, it is a blow
winch divides the roots, the tree falls, never
~ rise again. Any gain to this nation, which
the supporters of this bill can asse IT to be the
consequence of its passage, is entirely ina
glnary. pretended advantage is. that OF
cooining the trade to our own vessels
MS is mere pre,enCe for it is well known
that British agents themselves do now, and
ever will give a preference TO trade with
our ships, as long as there is discrimina
ting duty in their favor. The doctrine Of
the British is, brirgyour raw materials aud
take away our manufactures 1t would be
well enough, if both England and France
would agre to the terms therein express
ed but it probable that they wills ], for
my part, think they will not. What change
of measures mas taken place in the Europe.
an Councils to induce this change in our
commercial system II may be lust to re
mark, that / am no advocate for the present
non intercourse law; for believe il to be
worse than nothing. b. will the passage
OF the bill in suestion make things better ?
think it will not. Have Britain and France
become more just, as respects our CONNER
c!ai rghts' Can we persuade ourselves,
that Great Britain will permit our vessels
to pass to the continent unnoestedS Again,
what assurances have we, that the vessels
and cargocs, which might arrive in France,
will be received and respected THIS is
Uncomfortable 10 me, and must only be the
reverie OF "a fertile imagination. Past ez.
p.iience should prove to us, the delusion of
such a doctrine, we cannot deduce such in
tetences from the data, detailed in the let