Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-02-17
esolyed. That the Secretary /

&kO901Youp u@C AuO CcCEcAnfy
the Treasury be directed to informl
the House whether discriminating
duties are, at this time, levied ip|
ports of the u. States on British
vessels arriving from the West In
dies, and laden with West India pro
duce. ~
Mr.. Rnrwell said he should not
offer many remarks, to shew the
ofhis resolution he was
satisfied they would not be required.
The petitions offered to the House
had given nuch Importance TO the
subject, and he was convinced they
bad taken view Of it not entirely
correct. The petitioners seemed to-
state, that they have to struggle a
gainst the impediments thrown ia
heir way by .he British colonial
poiicy,without any coDotervalling ad
in oar owl ports. Unless
ne misunderstood the provisions Of
the late convention. an equality of
tonnage duty aud imposts upon the
|cargoes. had been confined 10 vessels
coming from the British European
ossessions, and goods the prodnctof
hose ,ions; the existing laws.
pp!ipable to foreign trade and pro
luce. were enforced against the Bri
ish colonial trade. This seemed
|,he neutral construction. and he had
little doubt the Instructions, from the
Treasury Department TO the co-itc.
tors were confarmable TO it ifthey
are not, the House sb uid tie inform
ed. According 10 existing laws, all
vessels coming from the British
|West-Iudies, are subject, nntii the
|SO h of June, to 10 per cent. dlscrl
|minatiag duty in favor of American
vessels. and the Tonnage duty OftWo
dollars laid by that act {; after that
|neriod TO the same discrimination
upon an advance u9On the old du
|,ies II per cent. These said AIR,
|R. are important advantages. and
such as will operate favorably in
competition with British navigation
lin our own professionals any other
arrangements become necessary
They should be left with the treaty
Imaking power. to which it naturally
belonged, and il was fair 10 suppose
lit would receive the most proper at
Itention. Under any view Of the sub
iieet. the House should know s.iielal-
Ily the extent 10 which the laws
Tia force operated. to estimate justly
The addi ionaI provisions required ny
the state Of that trade.
Mr.. Bradbury expressed bis as
sent to the resolution. but wished
i. modified so As 10 embrace all the
British colouies
Ii was replied by Mr. Burweh.
that the amendment would he verbal
md not substantial as the operation
lof the convention on ille existing re
l,eaue laws upon the British West
IEpdia possessions. would equally ap
Iply to all their colonies.
After which the resolution was
greed TO,
On molten Of Mr. Forsyth,
Reso!red. That the naval commit
tee be instructed to enquire inIe the
Iexpediency of making provision Tor
those American seamen whc were
Iwounded. and for the widows and
families or those who Ssre Killed at
IDarimoor prison, on the eth Of a
lpril 1915.
/ On motion Of Mr.. Stephenson The
lcomn,iftee OF public lands were In
Istructed TO enquire into the expe-
Idiency of reporting bill extending
relief and certain permissions TO The
settlers on the public lands embrae
ed By the proclamation of he Presi
dent oftbe United States in Dee. last
upon such conditions as will not
prejudice the public interests !;
except such settlers as may have
made resistance to the authority Oh
the y. States.
The engrossed bill to reduce the
.,.o.,u ~ to n:unnf Inx nnnn the