Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-02-14
1NUMBER 90.

''S'eSo 'haS u.e terms OF the treaty DID not au-
thcrise us to say that British vessels coming from
or touching a., the West India Islands or his Bri.
tannic Malestys colonies in North America
should be subjected to the payment of our dscris
minatIng duties Non it is asked of us to in.
crease those discriminating duties upon such
vessels and their cargoes, on The ground lat
'his species oil trade is rot at all within the
PROVISIONS of the treaty. lie would cave ger
themen to reconcile these different Constructions
OF the same instrument as they could. To him
II appeared there was no small share of inconss-
tency IN such conduct. When the terms Of the
convention were to be found fault with; when
those who made it were to be accused of sacrf-
eng the interest of the country then il meant
one thing when the interests of the gentleman's
constituents required IL, then it meant another
Mr W. said thaton this subject it was also his
duty TO correct mistake into which the honor
ao'e gentleman from Massachusetts, had fallen
he called IL a mistake for as he was sincere hims
self he was wiling to allow sincerity to all 9TH
ers; yet he certainly thought it strange that one
So wen informed as that honorable gentleman,
should have been misled upon such subject
The honorable gentleman had stated to day, and
as he had stated the same thing some days since
IN reference to the treaty. it might be taken az
his deliberate opinion, that the interests of his
part OF the country were sacrificed ia this convene
tien % the interest of the cotton states-that
the fisheries had been given up TO preserve
" seemed TO be 20 secure to the southern plan.
tcrs saving upon their cotton by the reduction
OF the British discriminating duties upon that
article. Now, sir, can assure the honorable
gentleman that the southern planter never felt
the slightest inconven ence from the operation
OF those duties. He never got cent less for
his cotfon-he only shipped it in British instead
ut American vessels, and the loss therefore fell
upon the American shp-owner, not on the atri-
cuiturist. Mr.. w said he himself had receiv.
ed previous TO his arrival at Washington various
communications on this subject, but they ali re-
lated TO the owners of American tonnage and not
to the planters of Americanproduce. The areu-
ment which they all contained, was not that our
agriculture, but that our navigation would be
ruined. Who, sir, (said Mr. W. would the rue
IN OF our navigation most severely affect Who
own nine tenths of the tonnage of the United
States Certainly the eastern and northern states
Mr.. w. hoped it was unnecessary to saw, that
neither here nor elsewhere, had he been nor
would he be the advocate oflocal interests or the
encourager ofnarrow and selfish iealousies, which
had 80 long disturbed the repose and happiness
of this Union. 1t was for this very Reason that
he had wished TO correct the mistake of the pen.
tlenan from Massachusetts,. Such statements
so abroad and make in urious impression.-thev
induce our brethren of the east to believe tbat
we OF the south are hostile to their prosperity.
destro yers oftheir commerce in short, enemiea
and oppressors who have community of feel
ing or of interest with them. 1t was very posi-
ble Mr. w. said, that his reply 10 this statement
would have very little effect; most probably Il
would never reach the people of Massachusetts.
whose preIudices, prejudices which had heen
purposeely fomentad, it was intended to remove
Still, however. he had felt it hi, duty to make II
IN Just &c TO the people whom he had the bon,r
tnrepresent. in justice 10 the administration yhorr,
that people by choice, supported, and for the
sake OF that union and harmony among the deopIe
ofthe United States which all such mistaken
views of public measures as that taken bv tho
gentleman from Massachusetts, had a tendency
to DESTROY
Mr. Randolph said, we had Just got out of a war
with Great-Britsin, the foundation of which -vas
LAID some eight or nine years ago, by a resolu.
ton moved in this house at the instipation of
commercial meet ngs in different seaport towns
of he United States. He was not prepared now
TO say he was ready to recommence a sys
tenn which might lead TO the same pract cal and
disastrous results; but this he would saw. that
the house ought not TO act on a subject of this
Importance without one DAVIS previous notice
He therefore moved to lay the resolution on the
table
Mr. King of Massachusetts,. said. he had M
more desire for new war with Great britain
than the honorable gentleman; nor had he more
agency in the late war than that gentleman-nor
did he view his motion of that nature which could
possibly lead To a war, &C. He was proceeding
TO discuss is merits, when the Speaker remind.
ed him the question was merely on postpone
ment
The question to Law the resolution on the table
was decided in the Affirmative
TUESDAY February 6.
SIindry petitions were presented and referred;
among which was, by Mr. PInkney, the petition
of sundry merchants and ship-owners in the city
OF baltimore. praying compensation for damages
sustained by The sinking of their vessels at the
entrance of the harbor Of Baltimore, TO ad in the
defence thereof when attacked BY the British
forces in September, 1914
Mr.. johnson reported q b II for organizing the
general staff, and making further provision for the
organization Of the Army of the United States;
which twice read
The house, on motion Of Mr.. Rno, resumed
the consideration of the resolution submitted by
him yesterday He then withdrew his motion,
and in lieu thereof laid on the table, for future
consideration, the following:
Resolved, That the committee Of Foreign ReIa.
tons be instructed to enquire into the expedien.
cy Of excluding from the ports Of the u States,
or Of increasing the duties on all foreign vessels
owned in, coming from, bound to or touching
at any of the possessions Of any nation Of Europe
in the West-Indies, and in the continent OF Ame-
RIGA, from which the vessels Of ;bc United States
are excluded, and of prohibiting or Of increasing
the duties on the importation in foreign vessels
Of any article OF the growth, produce or manu-
fscture ofsuch possessions.