Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-03-06

aspect to the equalization of duties i'll
ENG uncertain whether, for this purpose,
ne native duties are to be raised, or the A.
len duties abolished.
lhe conierees of the Senate did not con-
est, but admitted the doctrine, that of
reatles made IN pursuance Of the consti-
luton, some may not, and others may CALL
Tor legislative provisions to secure their
which provision CONGRESS, In all
such cases, is bound to make. But they
did contend, that the. convention under
requires no such legislative
provisions, because it does no more than
suspend the alien disability of British sub.
lects IN commercial affairs, in return for
the like suspension in favor of American
citizens that such matter Of alien disabi
iity Tails within the peculiar province of
the treaty-power to adjust that it cannot
De securely adjusted in any other way.
and that treaty duly made, and adjust
ing the same, is conclusive, and by its
own authority suspends or removes ante.
tecedent laws that are contrary to its pro-
visions.
That even declaratory law TO this eff.
fect rs matter of mere expediency, adding
nothing to the efficacy of the treaty, and
serving only to remove doubts wherever
they exist.
The conferees Of the Senate therefore
INSISTED on retaining the word IS declared ,,
In addition to the usual formula of enact
ment, because it imparts to the bill passed
by the SENATE the character of deciarato.
ry law a quality without which any law
would, IN this case, be inadmissible.
A law that declares to be of no force or
effect so much of all laws as are contrary
to the provisions of the convention. recoS-
mixes the existence and authority of that
convention the date and limitations of
winch must ascertain the commencement
and duration ofthe law, while its ,t,pula.
ions place the people of the two nations
on footing of commercial equality by the
abolition of discriminating duties on both
sides.
Thus the bill passed by the Senate does
not appear to be defective in the particu-
lars referred to by the conferees of the
House OF Representatives nevertheless.
as doubts were expressed on this subject.
the coniereeS of the Senate proposed Ger.
tain amendments for the purpose of 70.
moving these doubts, and confirm the in
tentions and meaning of the bill.
The conterees of the Senate, therefore.
recommend 10 the Senate, TO insist on
their disagreement to the amendment,
made TO the bill by the House of ReDresen.
tauyes, and to agree to the following a.
amendments to the bill, which have been
mutually agreed to by the Goufsrees Of the
two Houses:
Line Cd. After the word &c act.'' strike
out the words " or acts as are" and IN.
sert these words, +" as imposes a higher du.
~ OF tonnage Or of impost on vessels aud
articles imported in vessels of Great. Bri-
tam than on vessels aud articles imported
Va vessels oI The u. SIates,s'
Line 4th. Strike out the word ss shall -
and alter the word "be,'' insert these
words, " from and after the date Of the IA :
tincation OF the said convention, and dur.
ing the continuance tharenf.''
the report was concurred in by the So.
nate, as already stated.
SATURDAY, Feb 24.
Abe bill empowering the Presidents ne
the United States to call forth the mil;t;,
~ execute the laws, suppress Insured.
i,ohs' ana repel invasions, and to reDeal
me former laws on this subject, passed TO
the second reading.
Ahe Senate resumed the consideration
OF, and agreed to. the resolution offered NV
Mr.. Horsey on the Goth inst. to enouire
INTO the expediency of prohibiting the GRO
ation OF unchartered banks, aud the ennis
sion ana circulation of unchartered hank
notes within Tie District of Coiumbis.
ine Oil authorising subscription on
the part OF the United States Of shares
OF the stock OF the Chesapeake and Della.
ware Canal Company, was, on motion Of
Mr.. MASON of N. II. postponed 10 Tine
third Monday of March next.
Ihe Senate resumed the cnns;dar,t;o,,
OF the resolution submitted so,se davs
since oy Mr.. Bibb, proposing an amend
meht 10 the constitution, for reducing the
senatorial term Of service TO three pears !,
and on tie question Of engrossing the re.
solution fora third reading, it was decided
IN the negative, as follOws:
fEAS--Messrs. Bib, I.aoock. Macon.
Roberts, Sanford, Taylor, Turner--7
NAfS-M essrs. Barry, Brown. Carnn.
bell, Chace, COndit, D6ggett, Dana. r.
mentin, Gaiilard, Golds6oroueh. Horsev.
Howell, Hunter, King, Mason. of n. il
Morrow, Ruggles Talbot, TAFT, Thomn
son, Iiohenor, Varnum, Williams, Wilson
30 the resolution was rejected.
The bill for the relief Of certa;, r.n.-
dlan volunteers was passed to a third
reading and several other bills wee noe
poned to succeeding days and after dis.
posing OF some other minor busipess--
The Senate adjourned