Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-01-16

wiling TO unite and force that commerce..
would not force contraband trade but
the Carriage OF our own produce would
force o the utmost power of the nation
My colleague (Wr. Sneffeyl made some
remarks on one part of the effect Of the
OIL, VIZ. on the transportation VI our pro-
duce, In which he was Certainly correct.
Our tonnage IS more than competent to the
transportation ofall-cur produce ;; and this
view does away very strong (if correct)
Oh ect'on 10 the bill, that by restricting i'm.
por,ation it would decrease the competi,i..
on so as to raise the price of freight and
destroy the price OF produce. So long as.
we nave sofhcien. tonnage, this caunot d ke
place. We shall at least be justified in
making the'experimsnt and if it be found
that 1t Will foster our navigation, certamiy.
The gentlemen from the Eastern states
would MT complain of a provision which
eyes To them an exclusive advantage for
it is perfectly imnaterial to the Southern
country, in point of interest, if its produce
gets to market, how it gets there. should
lnueed be surprised If Eastern gentlemen,
VINO are SO much concerned, should oppose
regulation intended exc usively for their
benefit.
AS for countervailing regulations being
anticipated, should presume gentlemen,
need not make themselves very uneasy on
tnat score, tor they already exist. Al
thouga the orders in council have under.
gone modification som ewhat favorable.
yet the act of Parliament on the subject
has laid discriminating duty SO great thai
merchant saves the price of the freight
oy giving the preference to British ship
ana though the duty has bcen some what
lowered, It is still so high that it IS inlpos.
Stole Tor American snips to come in com.
nRfIttnn xuth
ask, S'r, when the British government has
set the example, ought we not to give a
similar advantage to the American flag in
our ports, to put them at least on a re.
ciProcal footing I! What have stated are
Facts which cannot be controverted.
o. not suppose however, that any regu.
iation which we could adopt would ksep
the tonnage of the U. State. on its prescott
respectable footing. / do not suppose any
&C, could have that effect; because, II
gentlemen will only turn their attention to
the ports closed against US, they must be
satishcd that our trade can never again be
as extensive as it has been. Ii mus, d.
IN n'sh at lie asst one half and it does not
appear possible for us to be 1ble to give
ehpioymsnt to all our present ton
mage.
Mr. b, concluded by saving that he rose
only to express his anxiety to see this suo-
Ject acted on He wished to see everv
commercial restriction done aw ". Alter
the experience watch the nation would
nave under trial of the syste N proposed
oy the Oil, Congress would be better able to
Judge what course ought to be pursued
and fit were found at iass absoiuteiv ne.
cessaiy 10 the protec ion Of our r. ehts to
take the attitude of war, he BATTERED him.
SET there was still sensibllity enough ia the
nation to point their resentment to the pro
Per cosrse. He hoped the committee would
Persevere till they got through the bill.
Mr. Sawyer motion for the mmi,tee's
rising was then negatived without div,s.
ION. Ihis was understood 10 be peremp.
tory decision against postponing the consid.
GRAFTON Of the bill.
The Chairman proceeded to read the 4,h
section OF the BILL, which provides ssrhat
from aud after the passing of this act il
snail not be lawful to import in tn. U.
states or the territories thereof. in anv
vessel or vessels Rot owned wholly by
citizens of the United States, and regis
tered according to law. any goods, wares
or merchandise, &c. from any port or
place situaSed IN Great Britain OF France
&c. &C,
Mr.. L,vermore said he coaid not con.
ce've why Discrimination was here made
"St"Sch TeSisttTed ana sea, lie ter vessels, |
as oofn were known to the laws of tne u. |
States, Hs wisied some member of the
COMMITTEES who reported the bill TO explain
it.
MIR. Taylor observed, that, if Congress
adopted the idea suggested oy the gentle,
man from Virginia (Mr. Burweli) in which
ne (Mr. T.) concurred, that the United |
States should project their f1tg IN its CON- !
merce With whatever nation should hold !
out the hand OF fellowship towards us, il |
seemed important to the Datioa mat they !
should understand for what il was they |
had undertaken to adopt this principle.
Would gentlemen hold out the sam. pro.
tecuon to a vessel condemned and uurcbas. |
ga ny one OF our citizens in port of !
L france OF England, or to- vessel built a. |
broad, as they would to our own register.
ed shipping It was indeed singular that
who represented tnat portion
OF tae people ofthe United States who were
the almost exclusive ship builders, should
ieei a hssi'aiiop in embracing this prapo.
s,tion. f
Mr. Quincy conceived that this was a
proposition which more properly belonged
- The Committee Of Commerce and Manu-.
iactures as "A permanent COR nerclai reg.
ulatiOn aud indeed he had understood !
Inat committee had this subject under
consideration. Some exception too ought
% De made IN favor OF sea-letter vessels