Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-04
And why aILihis rSstric,i,e sevsrltN

Was there ANY thing novel in the situati
on of the world Had there been any
complaints from any tcreisp nation, Of VI
Olatlons of our neutrality ltso, L., ;lieul
be known. The Executive had complain
ed, with reason, of certain acts which
compromised the neutrality of the United
States. Mr.. Il. was willing to corree,
them, but not without other reasons than
those which had been laid before the
House, to give powers SO enormous lis
those proposed.
twas foundt that in New-Orleans tho
former laws had been sufficient to answ er
every purpose and the great objection
to them, he imagined, grew out OF the
same suggestion as had induced the
House To alter The Claims Law, viz: that
me officers, under the eyes OF the GOV ern-
ment, had not done their duty. Here,
thirty OF forty miles OF the Execu-
i've, the House were told certain viClati-
ons of our neutrait, had been committed,
ami OF such nature as could not be res
trained by the laws now IN force. We
are leglslating ON defects in the execution
OF the laws. IF the law be eilicien, in \.
Orleans, 1t might ccgiainiy be made so
any where else. Mr.. r. said he did not
wish to permit the continuance ofany acts
which should move rs from The TRANQUIL
iity wenow enIcy: hut he did not think
this third section q ali necessary to the
object in view
Mr.. SmiM, o, Maryland, again spoke
In saving that he was not afraid OF war
with Spain, he meant simply of the war
like consequences of such contest but
not IN the smallest degree designing TO
appreciate awar. lie deprecated if as
much as the gentleman from Virginia ::
because, whenever we do 20 10 war. he
hoped it would be with Justice com
pletely on our side. He would by no act
ct ours, duplicate the nation in war
which we could not defend before the
world. He should deprecate war (he
SAID with Spain, because it would deprive
us oil the best customer we have. We
now supply Old Spain with great guam
tities OF rice and cotton, and, since the
war with her colonies, will, tobacco with
iour TO great amounted, 900 barrels a
year beng exported To Havana alone.
and with all the products OF the cou try.
she was one of thr best customers we had,
he sad, because from her alone could
we get specie IN return. We enjoy free
trade with Cuba, and, by a late order. with
Vera Cruz. lie did not. therefore. desire
a WARMTH Spain, but he would not shrink
from war with her, if she gave us lust
cause for it.
Mr. $. went on TO reply to the obiccti-
onsio this bill. Showed. that without
the third section, the laws might be evad
cd; that the United States sustained great
INJURY By the violation of this law, BY the
loss oil her seamen, Gas well as by yiolati-
ons OF IT'S neutrality, )of whom he spoke
greatly within bounds in saying that there
were two thousand employed i'm these
expeditions, and forever lost TO the service
OF the country-thus raising the price of
labour, and greatly iniuring The fair com
merce and navigating interest of the
country, as he Showed by plain and practi-
cal illustrations. The mere within OF the
collector was not to be sufficient ground
for requiring bonds but, if he saw a YES
sci, requiring twelve hands 10 work her.
taking hundred on board, or equally
suspicious circumstances then he was to
act, &c. As to the undefinab.c nature of
" neutral obligation" Mr.. s. said, the
bond was not TO be given in that form
but, that said vessel shall not be employ
Ell IN crulzing. &c. against the vessels of
any foreign power at peace with The u.
States III which there was no great hard
ship. MIR. s. repeated his explanation. that
this biliwould III no wise prevent the ex-
portation of munitions of war, &c. if mer-
chants chose TO take that risk upon them
selves.
As to the execution of the law at N
Orleans, Mr.. S. said he would only state
one tact-tiat a privateer, fitted ont i'm
that port, which had gone out, refusing to
pay ITS pilot, or 10 come TO at the Balizc.
had taken two Spanish vessels within Tie
waters of the United States COMING IN IN
n. Orleans, thus violating the neutrality
OF the United States and depriving N
Orleans Of the advantage of that COM
merce.
Mr.. S. said, he did not know that Balli-
more deserved all the character which
the gentleman from Virginia had flafter-
ingly ascribed TO her. Her people were
it was true, and had, some
OF them perhaps, engaged in these expe-
hliions, but they also going OH else
where, although more secretly than in
Baltimore. The Commissioner from the
Spanish Provinces, when he had come
here, came with his pockets full of com
which had been giyento all who
would have them. To some, these voya-
ges had been profitable though TO 9th
ers, not so much so. 4 man, seeing a
profitable business carried on bv his
not checked by the govern
menf, was apt TO suppose, that in follow
ng his example he was not acting against
the wish of the Executive. They would
have been convinced 10 the contrary, bv
the Executive Message on the subject,
and ie had no doubt would act accor-
iingIy.