The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-27
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FRIpAY. January 10.
SEA LETT EkS.
Mr.. Ne,eton reported a bin TO prevent
the issuing of sea letters, except to certain
vessels"
The following is the bill :,
Be it enacted, &c. that in future no sea.
letter or other document, certifying or prov
ing any ship or vessel to be the property of
citizen or citizens of the United States,
shall be issued, except to vessels entitled to
be registered. Any law or laws heretofore
passed to the contrary notwithstanding
The bill was twice read and referred to
IA committee OF the whole
Mr.. Lore reported bill to authorise n
Jail to be built in the county of Alexandria
IN the district of Columbia. Twice read
and referred to committee of the whole IS
1850.
Mr.. Fan Horn presented petition pray
ing a modification of the laws respecting the
district of Counbia, ~hch relate to Judi
cial proceedings and to imsoivent debtors,
&c.-Referred to the Committee of the Dis.
trict of Columbia
CONVOY AND ARMING.
Mr.. BurzveN rose to submit to the consi-
Iteration of the House the propositions of
which he had given notice Il few DAYS ago
lie should not now enter into Ii discussion Of
them. but wished them to lie on the table
and be printed. He said he should, if he
had an opportunity, make motion TO re-
commit the bill now before the House re
speeding commercial intercourse, for the
purpose OF ascertaining whether it was the
disposition OF the House to incorporate these
%propostiors in that bill or to make them the
subject ora distinct proposition
Mr.. B. said il had always appeared to him
since the abandonment OF the EMBARGO, that
further commercial restrictions would be
unavaiiing. He had hoped the reasonable
Course OF the government would have en-
sured Q respect to our rights; but he now
found the relations between the two coun-
tries to be yet unchanged He said he had
declared some days since, that lie was de.
cidediy against war, if it was possible to :
VOID 1t, and lie was OF the same opinion STILL
lie would not. if it could be avoided, engage
IN contest with either or both of the ID. Iii
S:rents, or connect the nation with either Of
them. At the same time, however, he was
equally confirmed in the opinion that the
lime had arrived. when it became the duty
ot the United States 20 maintain by force,
II necessary, their right to carry on com.
merce to every country which will receive
1t on fair and honorable terms. The object
OF the resolution he was about TO submit was
TO Chain decision of the House, whether
they would employ our naval force to con
Noy our trade to those nations not having in
torce DEGREES against our commerce, and
whether they would permit associations "a
mong our merchants tor the purpose of ar
ming ANA defending themselves in their
'rade to any foreign nation. At the same
time Mar. Is. said it was proper 10 declare it
sls MS opinion, taking view of the uucer-
tain situation OF affairs, aad having refer
ence to the late negotiation and the posi-
PIE Course which may be pursued by the
BRITISH government in relation to this COM
Try, that 1t was duty which they owed to
themselves and to the nation to place the
country IN the best state of defence. With
mat view he said he would co operate in
any system which might be digested for pre-
pairing tor war. He again declared that it
was not his object to promote a war system.
Ills cbJect was merely defensive, as il con-
'empiated nothing more than to defend
those rights of the United States which were
not questioned in this House or elsewhere
10y any American, Whatever his political o
pnions. Whenever the nation was called
Upon to take this course, he hoped it would
he able to defend it's rights In presenting
TINS proposition to the House, he had mere.
ny offered his view, which it would be pre-
sumption In him TO say was entirely correct
but 1t was the result of his mature consider
alton. MIR. then read the following reso-
luton
Rescued, That the President of the u. S
- ''iu'iS Gu ihiihSCI3lSiy 10 employ the pub
TIC armed vessels for the purpose Of CONVOY
ing and protecting the ships and vessels the
property OF Citizens of the United States.
laden with goods of their growth, produce
or manufacture, and not contrahand of war.
III Iheir trade 10 and from ports open for their
Tccephonb by the regulations of the govern
inchi Under whose Jurisdiction they are 81 =
tnated, aud notbeng actually bloc AIDED or
invested by competent force: Provided
snch government shall not have in force or
herS or DEGREES against neutral commerce :;
and that the owners and crews of merchant
vessels owned, laden or destined as aforesaid
be permitted to associate and arm for their
defence against illegal capture and moIes,a
ION, under such regulations as ST. Il be pre-
sCri5ed by law"
Mr. said there were two other views
OF this subject. which he had not touched
upon 1t would be hereafter for the House
to decide whether it would be proper to
permit the public vessels of the u States to
TfcaffHre vessels taken under the orders
and DEGREES; and whetherit would be pro
per 10 anthorise the merchants to associate
and arm, and to permit them to Capture a
ny vessel by which they NAV be attacked.
Mr.. Dana suggested the prcpriety of the
variation OF word IN the resolution, which
was murc perempioiy than the style gene
rally used when speaking of the President
at the u. states. Heads Of Departments
we're reqWrcd, but the President was gene
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