Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-08


President, Mr.. Gerry these
paragraphs: Fhe trust reposei in Con
Srcss renders IL their duty 10 BE- attentive
to the conduct of foreign nations. and TO
prevent or restrain, as tar as may be, all
such proceedings as might prove injuri-
Gus To the United States. The situation
ofcommerce al this time claims the at
tehtion of the several states, and few OBJ
lects of greater Importance can present
themselves 10 their notice. The fortune
of every citizen is interested in the sue
cess thereof; for is the constant source
OF wealth aud incentive TO industry and
the value of our produce and our land
must ever rise or fail in proportion To the
prosperous or adverse state of trade"
I" Already has Great Britain adopted
regulations destructive of our commerce
with her West India Islands. There was
reason TO expect that measures so une
quail, and so little calculated 10 promote
mercantile intercourse, would not be
pcrseyered i'll by an enlightened nation.
But these measures are growing into sys-
tenn" &c.
Another committee Of that honorable
body in i7S5-Col. Monroe, the Presi-
dent elect, was one--in letter to The
states, say: " Possessing no advantages
IN the ports of his own country, and sub
jccted to much higher duties and restric-
lions IN those of other powers, ii will ne
cessarily become the interest Ofthe Anne
rican merchant to ship his produce in TO
reign bottoms : Of course thei, prospects IF
national consequence must decline, their mss.-
chants become oniy tie agents. and ,etai{e,Sof
those Of foreign pOce,S, hei, eatensire for
ests be hemn dorm and Joid ,caste, to add to
their strength aid N0L!0naI resources, and
tie Anaerican fag be rarely seen upon the
face " the seas" &c If they (the siates)
wish 10 cement the union by the strong
est ties OF interest and affection: if they
wish To promote IFS strength and grandeur
founded upon that of each individual
state, every consideration of local as well
as OF federal policy urge them TO adopt
tie following recommendation :" TO
vest Congress with power 10 regulate
commerce. Our present constitution
gave them that power; the use they will
make of it, on this subject, we are yet to
learn.
In 1898, according 10 resolution of
the House of Representatives Mr. Jelfer-
son, then Secretary OF State, made an
able and highly important report, on the
privileges and restrictions of oar com
merce IN foreign countries, in which he
says" Our commerce IS certainly of a
character to sntitle If to favor in most
countries. The commodities we offer are
neceSsaries of life, or materials Tor manu-
facture, or convenient subjects of reve-
nue.; and we fake In exchange either ma
nufactures, when they have received the
last finish of art and industry, or mere
Injuries. Such customers NAV reasona-
bly, expect welcome and friendly treat
ment at every market. Customers too,
whose demands increasing with their
wealth and population, must very shortly
give tull employment To the whole indus
try OF any nation whatever, in any lire
OF supply they may get into the habit
of calling for from it,"
But should any nation, contrary to
our wishes, suppose it may better find
It's advantage by continuing IFS system of
prohibitions, duties and regulations, it be-
hovcs us to protect our citizens, their
commerce and navigation, by counter
prohibitions, duties and regulations, also.
Free commerce and narigation are not to be
giCen an exchange for restrictions a,ld pera-
irons; nor are hey Hheiy TO produce rcfGr-
alton Of them"
Z" Our navigation involves still higher
considerations. As branch of industry
III is valuable, but as a source of defence,
essential" How fully was this verified
in our late war, by the brilliant achieve,
ments of our gallant navy-so honorable
to our c:ountry-so glorious TO oIw naval
heroes I!
g lis value as branch of industry is
enhanced by the dependence ofso MANY
other branches ON it. In times of gene
ralpeacc it multiplies competitors for en-
ploymcnt in transportation. and so keeps
that at IFS proper level; and in times of
war, that IS to say, when those nations
who may be our principal carriers shall
be at war with each other, five have not
within ourselves The means oftransporia-
ton, our produce must be exported in
bellIgcrent vessels at the increased ex
pence of war freight and insurance, and
the articles which will not bear that must
perish ON our hands"
But 1t is as resource of defence.
THAT our navigation will admit neither
neglect nor forbcarancc. The position
and circumstances Of the United States
leave them nothing TO fear on their land
board, and nothing TO desire beyond
their present rights. But on their sea-
board they are open TO injury, and they
liave there, too, q commerce which must
be protected this can only he done by
possessing respectable body of citizen
seamen, and Of artists and establishments
IN readiness for ship building"
The carriage of our own commodi-
ties, If once established in another chan
mel, cannot be resumed in Tie moment
We may desire. If we lose the scamen
and artists, whom it now occupies. we
lose the present means OF marine defence !: