The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-03-09
in the hands of our mer,


less gentlemen deemed the committee too
SLOW, and wished to spur them up.
Mr.. Rhea observed that it the doctrine of
the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Pot.
ter) was correct, it would be a reason why
TO duties should ever have been laid. If
former Legislatures had acted with such
views, there never would have been any re ;.
venue raised. The gentlemen from the Eas..
tcrn states ought tobe the last to oppose such
n measure because. as they were engaged
more in manufacturing than any other por-
ton OF the union, every additional duty
would operate to their advantage. The sub
]ect might be collaterally before the commit
tee of Ways and Means, but he wished par
ticularly to point their attention to it.
Mr. M'Rim observed that this appeared
to him to be a time when the United States
ought sedulously to cultivate their own re.
sources. When our commerce was on all
sides interrupted, he wished not to see our
infant manufacturing establishments depres-
sed by permitting foreign manufactures to
compete with our own on advantageous
terms-and therefore he hoped the resolu-
tions would pass and some such measure be
adopted.
Mr. Van Horn hoped the resolution would
not pass. 1t appeared to him that every
measure coming before the house was calcu-
lated to depress the price of the produce of
the agriculturalist and to raise the price of
imported articles. Why ought this time
particularly to be selected for raising the
duties on imported goods, wheH ii: e importati-
on OF such goods was absolutely in,erdicted by
law! The very reference of these propositions
to the committee ofWays s. Means, he said,
would have an effect to raise the prices of the
goods on hand. it was not proposition to
lay discriminating duties--he never would
Consent to tax agriculture for the purpose of
raising Up manufactures. He wished to see
manufactures flourish but not at the eXpeace
OF agriculture.
Mr.. Potter said that the duties on imports
were already as high as they ought to be-
In the state which he represented there were
perhaps more manufactures of cotton than
IN all the United States besides. But he
would not, to make them still greater, de-
press agriculture. The profits OF the manu-
facturer were besides already sufficiently
large. While the agriculturalists for some
time past had not made two per cent. on
their capital, the manufacturers had made
from so to 100 Per cent. and become enor-
mously rich.
Mr.. Rhea was not certain that he should
be for increasing the duties, but he wished a
full report on the subject. That manufac
lures would do injury to the agricultural in
ferest was paradox, he said, more talked
about than understood. Ii the United States
consume rs much produce as was exported,
would not agriculture be benefited by the
encreased demand for produce Every thing
tending to lessen the importation of foreign
merchandise went to the benefit of agricul-
ture.
Mr.. Macon was willing to refer the sub
Ject, though he weuld not agree to tax the
agriculturalist for the benefit of the ma
yDnf Ntttrn e.
reference on the market. Numerous petit
tions, praying an increase of duty on import
ed hats, had been referred to a commit
tee; but nc presumed the reference of those
petitions had not raised the price of hats
Mr.. Ehfes observed, that on the eighth
OF January the committee of Ways and
Means had addressed letter to the Score
tary of the Treasury, asking how far the
duties on goods imported into the United
States, could be increased without detriment
to the revenues The committee had been,
since that time, in daily expectation of an
answer, or which they intended to act so
soon as it was received.
On motion of Mr.. Ltvermore, the reso
buttons were ordered &c lie on the table.
A report was received from the Secretary
OF State enclosing the report Of the Attorney
General on the subject of the batture, which
was called for by the House on Tuesday
last.
reportwas received from the Treasu-
rer of the United States enclosing the &C
counts OF his Office for the year past.
BATTURE..
The committee of the whole was refused
leave to sit again on til subject.
Mr.. Poinderter offered an additional re-
solution, going to make the Mayor of New
Orleans party in q suit to be instituted to
try the title in any circuit court OF the United
States, whers an impartial trial may be
had, with appeal to the Supreme Court as
In ordinary cases.
The various resolutions on this subject,
were ordered TO lie on the table and be print
ed.
DETACHMENT OF MILITIA:
The House resolved itself into commit
tee of the whole on the bill authorising
detachment from the militia of the United
States. "''
After progress therein, (the details of
which hereafter,) the committee rose, re.
ported progress and obtained leave to sit
again.
The following message was received from
abe President of the u States:
TO The Senqfe and House of Rehyesenta-
ffUeS Of the United States
now lay before you copies of the treaties
concluded with the Delaware, Putawatamie,
hiami, Eel River aud Wea tribes of Indians.
Tor the cHtingnishneDt oil their title to the
lands therein described, and / recommend
to the consideration of Congress, the making
provision by law for carrying them into ex.
ecution.