Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-03-04

~ IL
'rhe conferees Of the Senate baveI
.,,es and conferred with those oItheI
House Of Representatives On ineI
subject Of the disagreeing votes OF
|shr TWO Houses upon the bill entitled
/" An act conserving the conventionl
70 regulate the commerce between
the Territories of the United States
land his Britannia majesty, anu re-
port
That the conferees OF the House
Of Representatives commenced the
conference by stating that oil the
|treaties made in pursuance OF the,
|eonstitution, while some might Eot,i
sthers may require the enactment OF
laws to carry them into execution !;
land considering the convention with
England as treaty OF the later
kind. the confcrces Of the House OF
Repre- sentatiyes made the following
objections to the bill passed by the
|Seuate:
fst. That by the addition OF The
Iword {" declared to the usual for
mula, instead of bill of positive
Ienactmens. il assumes the form of a
|leclarasory law.
I'd That toe Bill is defective. be-
cause its commencement is uneer.
tain.
| sd. That ii is defective, because
Its duration is uncertain,
4th. That it is furthermore de-
Ifeetive in respect 10 the equalization
lof duties; it being uncertain wEe-
!ther, for this purpose. the native du-
lies are to be raised, or the alien
Idu,ies abolished.
The conferees of The Senate did
mot contest bnt admitted the doctrine
Ishat of treaties made in pursuance
soflhe constitution, some may not, &
Iothers may call for Legislative pro
visions 70 secure their execution.
which provision Congress, in all such
leases. is bound 10 make. But they
did contend, that the convention IN
l,ier consideration requires no such
provisions. because il
does no more than suspend the alien
disability of British subjects in corn
lmerti Il affairs, i'm return for the like
Suspension in favor of American
Icitizeus; that such matter Of alien
disability falls within the peculiar
IpreviBce Of the tresty power 20 adj
liust; that it cannot be securely ad
Ity duly made, \ adjusting the same,
lis conclusive, ard by its own authori-
ity sEspends or removes anfeeedent
laws that are contrary to It's pToYi
lsions.
That even GeclaFa.cry law to|
iihis effect is matter Of mere expe
'dieDcy, adding nothing 10 the efficacy
LOT the treaty. and serving only 10 re
move doubts wherever they exist.
The conierees ofthe Senate there
fore Insisted on retaining tic word
- declared. in addition 10 tie usual
formula of enactment. because it'll
imparts TO iile biz passed ~ tho Sc
nate the character Of decIaralory
law; quality without which anyl
Law would, III tilis case, be inadmis
si.:e.
4 law that declares to be CT nc.
force or effect so much of all laws
as are contrary to the provisions of
the convention, recognizes the exis-
tence and authority of that conven.
lion; the date and limitations of
which must ascertain the commence
MeDt and duration OF the law, while
its siiPulations place The people off
the Two nations On 4 foeiing Of com
inereial equslity by the abolition Of
discriminating duties on both sides.
Thus the bib passed by the Sc
nate does rot appear to be dcfectiveE
IL the particulars referredio by the
eonterecs of the House ofRepresen
tatiyes: nevertheless, as doubts we're
expressed on this subject, the con
Ierees OF the Senate proposed GER.
lainameadments for the purpose Of
removing these doubts. and confirm {
he intentions and meaning Of the t
Dill.
The confsrees Of the Sem =