Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1817-02-18


thefe mealures are growing into fyltem, =
&c.
Another committee of that honorable
body in I78s-Col Monroe, the Pref
dent elect, was one-in letter 70 the
fatss, fay; " Pol; fling no advantage
in the ports Of his own country and tub-
iected 10 much higher duties and reltric
items in thofc oil other powers, il will ne
ceHorly become the interef Of The Amer
ican merchant 10 fhip his produce in for
eign bottoms IF coirje their prospects, 81
natinal cenEqAeucs mga decAae, fbfir ner-
chants 5ecsme o1iy the agents and retailers
Of tb9s f0,sgn poaess, their exfenfve ta
| <fs be be7un doqra and laid 1Oafe. to add to
Their Rrergtb and national re,aarces, and the
l1me, icnf R4eAe rarely seen up0n tbs face
| a. the seas" IF they 1.-THE itates) with
10 cemsnt The union by the itrongeit ties
Of inteseh and affection (; if they with to
promote its itreng,h and grandeur found
ed upon that of each individual ttate,
every confederation Of local as well as OF
federal policy urge them 10 adopt the fol
loving recommendation To veit Con-
grefs with power to regulate commeree--
Our prefent contribution gave them that
power, the uie they will make of it, on
this fubject we are yet TO learn.
In 1909, according to refolutlon OF
the houfe of Representatives, Mr.. Jet
ferfon, then Secretary of fate, made an
able and highly important report, on the
privileges and restrictions OF our com
merce in foreign countries in which he
fays-" our commerce is certainly OF
character to entitle it TO favour 10 mott
countries. The commodities we offer
are necsiiaries of life, or materials tor
manufactures, or convenient iubJetts OF
revenue and we take in exchange either
ma ufactures, when they have received
the lat finish of art and indufry, or mere
iuxuries. Such cuhoms may reaionaoly
expect welcome and friendly treatment at
every market. Cultomers too, whole
demards increahng with their wealth and
population, mui. very fhortly gle EN-
ployment to The whole induitry OF any
nation whatever, in any line of fuppy
they may get into the habit Of calling Tor
from it,"
But fhould any nation, contrary to
our wlhes, fuppofe it may better find
its advantage by continuing lis iyitem OF
prohibitions, duties and regulations, It
behoves us to protect our citizens, their
commerce and navigation, BY counter
prohibitions, duties and regulations, alto.
Free commerce and navigation are not to be
giveu in exchange Ior rJarictt9ns ana OK
atiens nor a,e they likely to pr'daee a re-
lasation 9ftbem.' -.
"Ouf navigation involves fill higher
considerations, AS a branch OF lndultry
it is valuable, but rs rriource OF d.
fence, efential." EHow fully was this
verified in our late war, BY the brilliant
achievements of our gallant navy-fo
honorable to our coun,ry-fo glorious TO
our naval heroes
ats value as branch of induavy is
enhanced by the dependence OF 10 many
other branches on it. In times OF gene
raj peace it multiplies competitors ioi
employment in transportation, aHd 10
keeps that at its proper level and IN
times of war, that is to fay, when thoie
nations who may be our principal carriers
fhall be at war with each other, It we
have not within ourfelves the means OF
transportation, our produce mutt be OK
ported in belIigerent vefels at the lncreai-
ed expence of war freight and lniurance,
and the articles which will not bear that
mutt PERTH on our hands"
"B But it is as rcfource of defence,
that our navigation will admit neither
neglect nor forbcarancc.. he pohuon
ano circumstances of the United States
leave them nothing TO fear on their land
board, and nothing to delire beyond their
preient rights. But on thsir fea-board
they are open to injury, and they have
there, 100, commerce which mutt be
protected this can only be dore by FOL
telling a Respectable body Of c'uzen
feamen, and of ar,ilis and Embellishments
in readinefs for ihip building"
The carriage of our own com;nodi-
ties, if once efabliihcd in another channel
cannot be refumed in the moment We
NAV deire. five lofe the feamen ard
arrilfs. whom IL now occupies, we loie