Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-03-23
ID o M e S
mrch1a.
SYSTEM.

Report OF the on foreign relations. ac-
comPanyng a bill to establish a system of ma
vigation for the u. Suites.
Mr.. Bib from the committee on farcipn &c.
airs submitted to the Senate the following Re.
port:-
The attention of The committee has basn
drawn 10 the policy of " confining The American
navigation TO American seamen" by the mes
sage OF the president OF the United States. Two
considerations, distinct in their character. are
suggested in behalf of the measure-lst. As il
might have a conciliatory tendency towards for
e,ign nations and, 2dly, As it would increase
the independence ofour navigation & the resour-
ces of our maritime defence.
An act for the regulation of seamen On hoard
the public aud private vessels of the limited
States" passed the third day of March 1919.
prohibits the employment, as seanen, of the
subjects or citizens OF any foreign nation which
shall prohibit the like employment of citizens of
the Un ted States That act furnishes indisnuta-
bic evidence of the conciliatory spirit of he ma
tIonai councils and a corresponding disposition
on me part OF other governments only is want
ing to give It effect. The committee however.
deem IT eXpedient TO advance the independence ,
OF the navigation and resources of maritime de-
fence OF the United Ststes, and for that purpose
submits bill TO the consideration of the Sana-e
That the nature and extent of its provisions may
be the more readily understood. the follow mo
outline OF The existing regulations concerning
commercial vessels, and of the proposed modIG.
cations, is presented
Commercial vessels which are reg stored or
enrolled according to the existing laws are de-
nominated sh ps or vessels oil the United STATE s.
For carrying on trade with foreign countries.
they are registered. For the ~coastine trade or fish,
cries of the United States, they are. enrolled and
licensed.
Ships or vessels built within the United States.
or captured and condemned as prize. or adiude.
ed forfeited for a breach Of law, and belonging
wholly to citizens OF the United States, NAV be
registered or enrolled, If they are Commanded
by citizens either native or naturalized such
vessels are regarded as belonging to the ports Al
or nearest to which the managing saIers reside.
And they are registered or enrolled in the off.
ces OF the customs for the districts which com.
prehend the respective ports.
When a vessel is registered, the ownership
name, description and tonnage, being legally as.
certaned, are stated distinctly, with the name of
the mo. er, and entered in some proper book far
a record or registry to be kept by the collector
OF the customs. a certificate of such REGISTRY
rs issued AS evidence OF ownership 10 accompany
the vessel In addition to The seal and signature
of the register Of the treasury of the United
States, it IS attested under the seal of The collec.
tor with his signature, and is counterslpned bv
the naval oif1cer or surveyor where there is such
- INV hA az POfN W WHICH TIE VeSSel DetOORg.
And q copy IS transmitted to the register of he
treasury.
The certificate of registry for a vessel 70 be en-.
pioyed IN foreign voyages may be continued in
force so long as the ownership continues the
same. On a change Of properly, if purchased
by any citizen of the United States, The vessel
is registered anew When the master is changed
the collector of The customs is authorized 10
endorse a memorandum of such change on the
OF registry.
The requisites for This important document
are pre- cribed n The act Of he 31st of December
l792, entitled an act concerning the registering
and recording of sh Ps or vessels. And various
r Visions an the same act we're adapted TO guard |
lie interest Of shiP-builders and ship-owners of
The United States, against the intrusions or i'm.
OF foreigners.
~ relation to vessels Of twenty tons or I'm.
wards which may be enrolled, tho same uual;i
Cations and requisites are prescribed, and similar !
guards against abuses are provided IN The act Of
he 18th February, 1898, entitled An act for