Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-05-31
Nkw-HAvGs, co. May Z.
PATRIOTIC RESOLUTIONS.

assembled for the purpose OF taking into
consideration the embarrassments to which
they are subjected by the operation of the
Non-lntercourse Law, passed at the late
session of Congress: and after having ma
surely deliberated on the subject, passed
the following Resolutions by an almost u
unanimous vote
Pesolred as the sense Of this Meeting,
That permanent or durable laws prohibit.
ing the citizens of this country from trad
ing to foreign nations, are an infraction of
the Constitution Of the United States.
Resoive6, That prohibitions Of foreign
trade are partial and unjust in their opera
ton; 40 they peculiarly iniurc the mer.
chants, who have vested their property in
shipping, whose habits of business are form.
ed, and cannot be easily changed, and'who
have engaged ina lawful occupation, 10 con-
fidence that they should enjoy the same free
dom and protection in their emplo, ment,
as every other class Of citizens. Equally
partial and unjust are such prohibitions, as
they Affect commercial towns, and COM
lnercial states, whose interest is primarily
affected, and most sensibly injured.
Resoiued, That laws restraining our trade
to foreign countries are extremely prelude
cial to the agricultural interest; as, BY pre-.
venting the expectation Of surplus produce
tons, and eireumscribing the markets, they
discourage industry, and diminish the va
luc OF lands and OF labour.
Resolved, That the Non. Importation
Law is not within the legislative powers Of
the national government; the power Of pro-
hibiting for an Unlimited time the trade Of
our citizens to foreign countries, not being
included in the power to regulate that trade,
and not having been surrendered BY this
state to the United States.
Rssolued, Thatthe Non. importation Law
is unconstitutional, and repugnant to the &c.
MUS OF our laws, as well as to the spirit Of
a free government; as the bonds required,
and the penalties annexed to breach Of the
law, are unreasonable and excessive.
Resolved, That the bonds required of
merchants, by the non importation act to
enable them to land their goods, are not
only excessive, Ia their amount; but they
are calculated to operate as pledge to bind
the merchant to his good behavior to govern
ment and by placing him in the power Of
the administration, TO make him subservi-
cnt to their views.
Pssoioed, That the fact assumed In iusti.
Rcation of the non-impoftation law appears
to be unfounded, the French DEGREES not
being rcscindcd. Repeated advices from
France announce that those DEGREES are
still in force, and declared to be the perms.
nent law of Europe. BY the official letter
OF our government TO General Armstrong.
dated July 10, 1910, it was declared that
"a satisfactory provision for restoring Anne.
rican property seized in France must be
combined with repeal Of the French edicts.
with view to the non-inteIcousse with
Great. Britaina--and in letter of Nov. Q.
it is declared that in issuing the proclama-
ton (by the President) it was presumed
that this requisition, on the subject of the
sequestered property, zviH have been sasis-
fed" Yet it appears that none Of the A
merican property, seized and sequestered
in France, has been restored; but that the
amount has been augmented by recent sei-
cures.
Resolved, That the frequent alterations
of the laws respecting trade serve 10 en-
barrass, and often to ensnare the honest
merchant. The embargo restrained sspor-
faiion, but permitted impor,anon-the or
der OF things is now rcversed-exboYtafo
is permitted and imbeYtanon rrstraiued-
This versatility in the measures Of govern
ment, while it nsanifcsts wsas of ), stem.
perplexes the merchant, disturbs every re-
gular plan IT business, confounds all calcu-
iition; and by rendering that unlawful to
day which was yesterday lawful, tends =
cnsnare the most cautious men, and subj
them TO losses and embarrassmrnts WI
no wisdom can foresee or prevent.
Resoived, That law which permits
portation, without the right TO import, all
a fatal blow at AN active commerce as
prevents return freight in our ships, with1