The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-05
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

~ :. IHes0dp, Dec. l.
Nj Nszpton offered the following resolution for
consideration, viz.
ResoiUed, That the committee of Commerce and
Manufactures be Instructed to enquire whether any.
ana u any' what restrfstons on the expectation of
provisions and OF all articles necessary for naval
qwpment, in vessels of foreign nations at amity with
the United States, may be at this time expe dent *
that the committee have leave to report by bill or
Otherwise.
Mr.. N. said it was well known that there wac not
| day passed over heals but American vessels
were departing for Spanish and Portuguese ports.
Unrestricted as to the expectations of provisions and
naval stores. Ii was also well known that the ma
ton with whom we at war had ia our vicinity
possessions requiring the of these articles. 1t
was as well known, that altho we were st war with
S' britain, she had agents in this country, whs
der the Spanish and Portuguese flag, had in their
power tosuppy those possessions with such articles
IN this country as they stood in need of. 1t was
with view to cutting of the supplies daily sent
muda, SSe. that he had proposed the enquiry The
House had already decided, contrary to his wish,
that there should be no .embarso-tbat the expor-
tation OF provisions should not entirely in
sells OF Tor ign nations at anity with but, as in
duty bouud,he acquiesced in its decsion-The
resolution he had offered had not for its object to
prevent the expectation to any country other than
that OF the enemy but his wish require
bond from these vessels before they departed from
the United States that their cargo should Le landed
in friendly port chat they should not, directly on
leaving pert steer for ST. Johns, or Halifax, Ber-
view he had in proposing the motion, and he hoped
the house would acsept il.
.3f- Geld said the resolution was lily adapted to
the object, as ayowed, which appeared TO be to
guard against improper destinations, and aganse
expectation. la its present form it vas calculated
TO excite much speculation and alarm. He hoped IL
would be modified to adapt the phraseoioey to
the avowed intention
Mr.. Bdsset concurred in opinion with Mr.
Gold, aud moved to modify the resolution SO as to
read as follows
sc ResOiUed, That the committee of Commerce
and Manufactures be instructed 10 enquire into the
expedency of requiring bonds the exploration of
provisions and all articles necessary for naval equip
ment in vessels OF foreign nations at amity with the
u States; and that the nittee have leave 10 re,
port by bill or otherwise"
Mr.. .NezDfoH not disposed to contend Tor the
form, if the substance was retained, aud therefore
consented to the modification proposed.
MI Macon expressed mis- regret that the resolu-
ton had not been more broad and comprehensive.
He he'd no fear of creating alarm in the public mind
exciting speculation, because, he said, the People
would understand that nothing bat an enquiry " as
proposed, which involved decision of tn question
Of expediency.
sAr. Bdssrs said he had hoped after the decis-
ion of the house the other day by am overwhelming
majority, that the agricultural flaming interest
would not be again tackled in this way The ndop
ton OF such resolution, said he, will excite alarm ;
1T viii excite speculation. The merchant will 10 TO
the farmer and buy up hs produce st a reduced
price, telli'I. him that congress egislating
on the subject Mr.. Basset said he had him self
heard these arguments used heretofore, and that
they did induce many farmers sell their produce
at twenty five per cent less than they would have
done but for this argument. The adoption of the
resolution would have very material effect on the
price Of produce. lie did not fear the ultimate a.
doption OF any provisionon this subject because he
perfectly satisfied that when gentleaen came
to reduce their views 10 paper, they would find their
object impraetcable. But he did not wish the sub
ect stirred at all Speculation was one of the great
banes OF our government, aud he at least would al
ways do every thing IN his power TO put il dowu-he
therefore opposed TO this motion.
Mr.. .jIkgor entirely agreed in opinion with Mr..
Basset, as to the iiopropriey of doing any thing
Which should have tendency to excite speculation.
Already there WAS n Jill on the table, which, il
passed, would go to up by the roots great part
OF the present export trade by prohibiting the use o.
ihe licences which made il safe Tile present pro-
postion originating with the chairman OF the com
Inittee of Commerce aud Manufactures, 10 its orig
nal form, would have excited great aiarm. lie was
therefore pleased at the modification but lie
thought 1t did not go far 81, aud therefore pro.
posed 20 amend It by adding. after the words" u
States, the words " cOHdifioned IL ~ sHch uesseI
and cargo FhGh not proceed to as eEen,y's FORT"
Mr. Rhed moved to amend The amendment 5y
adding thereto the words ar 10 my Bort or 6oyfs
in PosseSsioH Of the eaeDV."---Ageed to, So
to u.
The question WIS then taken on Mr.. Minors
motion, rs amended, and negttiycd, 81 TO So.
he question was then taken on the resolution, N
the form proposed by Nj. Basset, aud negstived
g to 40.
4 short time af,crvsHh-
Mr. DYesstoH sad itsppeared IN hgm tkat a. &
iosse had rejected the roeSrf ~ -, ,,entdn..,
incr9 ~ ~cci;t !it5 t.irs.s g. ~ TIC ~ f at