Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-11

MIR. Hang spoke briefly but decidedly
III favor of MIR. Clay'S construction OF the
provisions of the treaty.
Mar. Saefsy, OF Virginia, after advert
ms TO the question respecting the treaty ,
IN regard 10 which he expressed his
doubts, proceeded, as he said, to make
one or two remarks Oh the merits of the
bull. lie thought, on general principles,
that II DAD not become wise legislature,
on every d:.!icnlty, to attempt 80 apply
remedies. Ne have al this moment Il cla-
NOR Of the mercantile part Of the coun,u-
nity, in iay0r ct thIs MEASURE but il was
questionable, Bic. y. SAID, whether the
existing difficulty did not arise from eau
seS beyond the cOutro! % this government
:. whether il dad not arise from other
causes than Der exclusion from the Brit
ish Nest-lndleS ~ Aether ii did not pro-
cceh from the general pence, which had
changed tiie commercial relations of all
countries. In his mimi, Mr. :. said, ii was
Dotwise TO attempt toappiy remedies, the
effect OF which we cannot calculate. Ne
ought TO sit down and deliberately coDsi-
Ger consequences before we attempt to
apply remedies TO evils the origin and
nature of which especially, gentlemen
did not seem to understand. The prin-
ciple involved IN tins bill, Mr.. s. said. a
ton OF coercion by commercial RESTRICT
ons. He thought We ought To he satisfied
on this heal by reference TO the .itua-
ton M which we were pieccd IN lG0S g
when we attempted 10 drive Gre at-Rrit-
ain from temporary policy, by measures
Ola similar character. Had we, he asked,
been able to effect il =! The history of the
times Showed that we had not. He de-
manded OF gentlemen, whether, after fail
ing III the d;temp, 10 drive her from an oc-
casionai policy, growing out of particular
circumstances, they could expecrto force
her from any part her navigation sys-
TEN, to which she is so entirely attached.
and Which she considers so important to
her prosperity. lie understood, too. that
this measure was 10 apply not only to En-
gland, but 10 all European nations, since
all those nations ordinarily pursued the
same policy Of monopoIizing the trade to
their colonies. The spirit Of The colonial
system, every where, was monopoly. AL
though al this moment II was notentorccd
IN regard to the colonies of France or
Spain, II did not follow, that, after the
tranquility ofthose countries was nerfcct-
ly restored, The old system would not be
again pursued, by the same nations. of
excluding foreigners from the trade Will,
thei colonies.
Is. there any hope, said Mr. S. that we
shall succeed in this warfare? think
there is none. But there is a great evil
ina course like that proposed. Commerce
will he diverted from it, natural channel
the nations which have been in the habit
OF supplying you, and taking your pro-
ducts lnreturn, will seek either markets.
You have experience oft. Did youstarve
the British III 1907. 1903 aud 1909 ? Were
pnt- i,.,I
bundantly with the necessarits of life. af
ter tic FIRST shock WIS over as ever they
had been? ? If Great-Britain sheuld i'm
consequence of our policy, encourage
HE culture OF those articles. we were
wont 10 furnish. Mr.. S. said, we might
ind ourselves IN year or two IN this CON
dition !: hat the country would be cut off
forever from 90 much of its market. for
the surplus products Of its agriculture.
lie should iike8so hear, lac said from the
honorable member from Maryland, whe-
ther the productions of the country
which now take that direction will here
after go 10 the West-India Islands, If this
policy was pursued. No, he said Tor fne
moment tile other powers of Europe
could also carry into eject Tie colonial
policy, they would there was disposi-
ton manitestinE itself among the poien-
tates of Europe 10 cherish commerce bv
every means in their power. and thev
would certainly not neglect this.
warn gentlemen, said Mr.. s. how
they begin TO tamper with commerce.
The sapIr spirit OF tampering exhibited
Ilscll III .S05-6. II was brought about
by the same means, the cl1mours Of the
mercantile and navigating interests, tho
Glic m0ment measures were adopted TO
comply with iheirwiShcs,) they clamored
as loudly against the government. What.
he asked, would be the consequence Of !
this measure. ifadopted Tie interest !
Ofthe great body OF the country, be said. |
appeared 70 be totally neglected here /
We hear nothing of the interest of the a. |
grlculiuraiists, but it is fashionable to |
talk about the interests Of the merchant |
and the manufacturer, whilst the planter
and farmer is either forgotten, or remem !,
hered only 10 be made tributary 10 these
classes so inferior in real valne and i'm
pormce. Yon will have free Port es-
tablishcd, said MIR. S.--say st. Thomas.
What will be the consequence This will
answer the purpose of the merchants
for, as to them it matters not whether
they go to English Ports with their car
goes OF your produce, or TO st. ThomaS's
their freight will be the same 10 one as
10 tic other. The British ship owner al
sOwill he served, because his navigation
will be employed in taking orr produce
from st. Thomas, or from whatever may
be the free Port. The consumers. the