Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-03-07

demand of them security tor Tie good
conduct of the citizens Of other coun-
tries.
4 Navigation Act, similar in principle
10 the famous Navigation Act bt England,
has been the subject Of much Discussion
in Congress policy of England has
been, and still is. to engross the carrying
trade of the world-For This purpose. she
prohibits the importation of the goods of
anv country into her domiuions, unless
s,-' II importation be made in the bottoms
of the nation, the grower of the commod-
lily or manufacturer of the artice-ThuS.
at this day, she prohibits our merchants
from carving in our vessels any article,
the growth or manufacture of France or
any other country, to Great Briiain--The
consequences resulting from this policy
have been discoverable in The prosperity
OF the mercantile interests of that coun-
try: and No change of time or circum-
stance has been sufficient to induce her
to relax her systematic effect of the act
on our part, is Simplv to place our com
merce on an equal footing with hery-We
DENY, almost in the very words of her
Navigation act, that she shall import
any article. the growth or manufacture
OF any foreign nation, except in the yes
sells of such foreign nation-The great
shipping interest of this country, if is ex-
pected, will be much benefited bv this
provision rs ii must have the effect of Of
wing new life and activity 10 our carrying
trade.
Icannot oinitmentioning measure of
great national importance, which was a.
dopted at the last session, in perfect coin
cidence with tie wishes of the American
I'll, "a. 4 Al.
high destinies which await this country
Our nav, IN the late arduous struggle,
shed a blaze of renown over us, rarely e.
qualledand certainly never surpassed in
splendour by the achievements of them
FAINT establishments ofany other country
The names of manv at our ho rnesare alrea-
DIV rankedwith those Of the celebrated De
Ruvter, Van Tromp, ard De Wit Witzen,
ofiormer times, and our scamen have G.
vinced spirit of cliivary, which, if nou-
rished promises TO raise wall of defence
around us not to be broken through by
any nation or combination whatever-A
navy Of competent size would, il is heliev-
ed, furnish ihe United States with the
cheapest and most efficient means of de-
fence, and threatens no evil 10 civil liberty
Its regular and gradual increase, there
fore, cannot but meet the appreciation of
every sound Doiitician-i say lis regular
and gradual increase-fOr, as the child
should grew IN flesh as II grew in muscle
and in bone, so should any great system
of policy be adapted TO the extent of the
public means--in the infancy of the Re
public, would not havcit attempt to
bend the bow of Ulysses bnt in lis man
hood, would have il strong and power
tul-An annual appropriations Of 5 Sa0,-
600 was voted AT the last, and has been
continued at the present session, TO be
expended IN the construction of ships of
war-A similar expenditure for z wears
TO come will, it is believed, furnish ma
val force sufficiently large 10 secure our
flag from insults, aud 10 protect our cast
during war.
a bill, which went TO pledge the bonus
and dividends arising from the National
Bank, for the purposes of internal i'm
provement, passed the House of Repre-
sentatives by small majority.
The fund thus pledged is estim ated at
s $50, 600 annually-No one can dcnv the
great importance of good roads and ca
nals-They would be calculated beyond
almost any other means, TO produce IL
nifty Of interest in the naloD-Thev may
truly be regarded as the arteries of the
body polite, which circulate without in
teTuption the wealth ofthe country-But
at the same time, as public agent, | did
not regard myself at liberty TO pursue nv
own, perhaps fanciful notions, without
looking al the instrument under which
mad been elected TO act-CongrcsS have
no power under the Constitution TO inter |
fere with the police of the Siates-and | !
was not disposed TO represent the State of |
Virginia IN so poora condition as TO re- |
quire chdritGjie donation frem Congress |
independent Of this, felt a1lisposition, |
as far as we could, with due regard to |
the operations of the Government, to ap- |
ply all our surplus revenue, which could !
be diverted with proprleiy from other OBJ |
ects, towards the discharge Of our natl !
Dnal debt-The day, il is to be ho?ed, has |
passed, i'll winch. national debt was es- |
eemeda national blessing and he, who, |
with tie example of England before him, |
entrtains such doctrine, denies TO him |
self the exercise oi his mental faculties,
1t should be source of congratulation, |
hat our country should be so peculiarly |
blessed with prosperity IN regard 20 lis ifs
cal concerns-Ihe national debt, atho' !
Augmented y the late ardu- !
Dus aud glorious struggle, promises 10 |
undergo rapid reduction and a total ex-
-Inctlon in the course of Il not very dis |
ant period--The surplus III theIreasury, |
jn lie first day ofJaHuary last, amount
sd TO 5 IL, 50i,7 30 90 cents; and thus, |
addition has been made of |
5 1000, 900 TO the sinking fnnd-It is es-
imated, tlIat, by apprepriaiiHg annually |
yIIateverSurpius may be in The Treasury, !
IN extinction oithe debt will take place in
| nerind short of fMelYe Xears-1he di-