The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-13

that score. for they already exist. Althoug gin
the orders in council have undergone a mo
difcatinn some what favorable, yet the act
ot Parliament on the subject has laid dis
eliminating duty great that merchant
saves the price o. the freight by siv,i,c the
preferences 20 a British ship; andthouSh the
duty has been somewhat lowered, it is still
so nigh that 1t IS Impossible for merican
saips to Come III competition with British
vessels.
And let inc ask, sir, when the British 90
vernment has set the example, ought We not
togive similar advantage III the American
flag In our ports, to put them at least on
reciprocal footing. What Ihave stated are
facts which Cannot be controyerted.
l do not suppose however, that any regu-
lation which we could adopt wolld keep the
tonnage OF theU. ) on its present respccta-
BILE footing. ] do not suppose any act could
have that effect; because, if gentlemen
will only turn their attenton to the ports
closed against US. they must be satisfied that
our trade can never again be as extensive as
1t has been. 1t must diminish at least one
half; and it does not appear possible for us
to be able to give employment to oil our pre-
sent tonnage.
Mr.. b. concluded bv saying that he rose
only to express MS anxiety TO see this subject
acted on. He wished to see every CONNER
cial restriction dong away. After the expe
rience which the nation would have under
trial of the system proposed by thc bill.
Congress would be better able to Judge what
course ought to be pursued and if it were
foG',a at last absolutely necessary to the
protection e. our rights to take the attitude
OF war, he battered himself there was still
sensibility enough in the ps.ion to point their
resentment 10 the proper Course. He hoped
the Committee wolid perscvere till they got
thro' the bill.
MIR. Sasvyer's motion for the committees
rising was then negQtiusd without q divisi-
on. This 7,as understood to be u heremh
Eory decision against foSthoning the conSi-
Iteration IF tie bill.
The chairman proceeded to read the 18th
section of the bill, which provides that
from al after the passing of this act it Shall
lot be lawful to import into the u. States or
the territories thereof, in any vessel or YES
sells not owned wholly by citizens of the u
nited States, and registered according to
lac, any goods, wares Or merchandise, &c.
frcm any port or place situated in G.. Bri-
tain or France" &c. &c.
Mr.. LiUerM0te SAID he could not conceive
why discrimination was here made be-
tween registered and sca.leiier vessels, as
both were known to the laws of the U States.
lie wished some meNOer of the committee
who reported the bill to explain it.
MIR. Idyior observed, that if Congress "a
dcPted the idea suggested by the gentleman
from Virginia (Mr. Burwelr in which he
(Mr. L concurrcd, that the United States
should protect their flag in its commerce
with whatever ma ion should hold out the
hand OF fellowship towards US, it seemed i'm
portant to the nation that they should un.
derstand Tor what it was they had underta-
Ken to adopt this principle Would gentle
men nod out the same protection to 4 vessel
condemned and purchased b; one of our CT
tlzens III a port of France or England, or to
Z; vessel OGiit abroad, as they would to our
own registered shipping 1t was indeed
singular that gentlemen, who represent ted
mat portion OF the people of the ". States,
who were the almost exclusive ship build
ers, should feel a hesitation in embracing
this pfopositioL
Mr.. QUINCY conceived that this was pro-
position which more properly belonged to
the committee OF Commerce and Manufac
lures as 81 permanent commercial REGULATE
ON and indeed he had understood that that
committee mad this subject under considera
tion.
Some exception too ought to be made in fa-
Vor OF seA-ietter vessels now owne by citi
zens of the u. 5. to prevent the law having a
Retrospective operation.
MIR. taylor said he should have no OBJ
lection to an amendment which should make
an exception in favor of sea. letter vesseis
now owned by American citizens. But if
the door were left open to all sea letter YES
Sells, there might be persons who would be
very willing TO lend cover to the ships of
Britain, France or any other nation, provided
tney got handsome Commissions for lending
the American name He wished not to leave
room tor the abuse heretofore charged upon
nS OF covering foreign vessels with our cha
IaCter.
MIR. LiverD,0re moved to strike out the
4th section. His reason was that in practice
no benehciai effect would be produced to our
own merchants, and much injury rnieht re-
SUIT lhoush rn theory registered vessels of
the y. States were built and wholly owned
by American CITIZENS yet in practice regis
tered and sea letter vessels were in some
cases equally owned by foreigners and it
was impossible by law to prevent foreigners
from having Concern in them. AS this
section therefore would be imperative or
useless, he moved to strike il out
MT. LtUerm2re's motion was negatived,
n only rising in the affirmative.
ne 9TH section was read. This section
provides that 40 goods, wares or merchan
ave whatever, beiDg Of the growtb. produce
or manufacture of &. Britain or F.auce. ar
any OF their colonies or dependencies, sh all
De imported into the u. ,. after the 18th dav
vi HPr'i next, IN any manner, fran aHy eort
or Itnce other EhGH IN 4he countries, cli1nies
" deheHdencies If HoSe hoavers in (Which
Shch S0Das shat haOe been grown or zia,.-
ZfIctNred.1
mr. ChttfeHfeH, after a few remarks not