Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-13
CONGRESS.
ON COMMERCIAL INTER
COURSE,
Ia !he ROsse IF Representatives.
TIe.... n
Continued.


the bill to prohibit all Commercial Inter
course Nth tie ports or piGceS, into or ruth
tohich the uessefS ofthe United States are not
ordinarily permitted to enter AID trade"
Mr. Forsyth, OF Georgia, proposed, as
Il substitute for the bill, sundry new see
tons, embracing system of discrimina-
ting duties, to supefcede the clauses OF
prohibition aud exclusion embraced in
the bin and proceeded, though much
indisposcd, to assign his reasons for a
preference of this mode OF counteracting
the British colonial regulations, over that
before the committee, and which would
perhaps induce him TO vote against the
bill, should his amendment noteyentuaiiy
succeed.
The object ofeither of the two systems
would be 10 produce, by conventional
regulation, or otherwise, relaxation OF
the colonial system Ia that particular
from wilich our navigation suffers.
The effect on the British colonial SIS
lem would be the same, whether duties
or prohibitions were imposed on the
trade now carried on in their vessels with
their colonies. But the effect ofthe two
sources on this country would be very
different. Tie absolute prohibition OF
ali exports to the British West Indies
(WHICH whit NC t.4E Ci1Ct Ot tiliS .DiI.J
would strike of at once six millions OF
our exports II might be said that these
exports would go 10 some other ports of
the world; thai the enterprise of our
merchants would find a market. 1t might
be so, Mr.. Z. said, in the course Of time
but the immediate effect would lie IN eX
traordinary pressure, and he thought an
unnecessary pressure, on the agriculture
and commerce OF some parts of the
country. So far as respected the imme-
dlate interest of the agricultural portion
ofthe community, 1T was matter of per-
feet indifference whether that trade was
carried on in vessels ofthe United States,
or III foreign bottoms and any sacrifice
they might maicin hiSrespectto the ma
interest, would be gratuitous.
If they agreed, then, by their Represen-
tatlves in Congress, 10 impose excessive
duties on this trade, as now conducted,
ii was as much, Mr.. T. said, as those in
teresied iii navigation had right TO ex-
pect. For his part, he was willing 10
make the experiment OF heavy dvties, but
ne was unwilling &c prohibit the trade
entirely.
There would also be wide difference
III the operation of the two systems on
the British colonial possessions. If we
prohibit the trade entirely, we might do
exactly that which the British govern
ment wishes. Thewhole colonial system
Of Great Britain was founded on the ba-
SIS OF encouraging the commercial and
intercSi al every cXpence, and
the wishes authorizations of the colonies
weighed not feather in the balance
Al this time the West India Islands suf-
Ter nothing, and the British navigating
interest Is tostered and promoted at our
eXpeDce. No complaint was made hy
the inhabitants and proprietors of the
British West India Islands against the o.
pcratiom of this system, bccauseit didnot
Affect them. BY imposing duties on tile
trade, however, pressure would be
produced which would compel them
10 resort TO Inconsistencies 10 the Bri-
Ilsh government, and which, severely
the interests OF the proprie-
tors, resident III England, might be ex-
pected TO produce an effect on the
&c.-And such duties, instead
Of operating lniurously on our own COM
nerce, would ~benefit the revenue, at the
expence OF the colonies, and through
hem at the expence ofihe British nation,
&c.
The blanks in the amendment propos-
I'd by Mr.. Forsyth having BEEN filed
Mr. JGchson, OF Virginia, rose IN expla. !
latlon on point which had been Incl
ientally introduced in debate. lie had.
when up before, referred TO the analogy
between tie state OF things at this day
and III 1906, aud stated ihat tie merchants
hen came forward in mass with their
memorials, urging Congress TO take an
attitude otresistance to the policy Of the |
British government, and pledging their
20 Operation-tiey had even gone so far
IS 20 talk OF war, and recommended it i'm
preference TO a submission TO the then
Existing state OF things. I'm referring 10
hem afterwards, though he had drawn a
distinction between the .high-minded
merchants and those of another descrip-
ion, lie had said that the latter had trail
orously abandoned The cause OF their
country and turned their force aud pow
Pr against it--uDi meaning thereby that
hey had opposed their government bv
Iorce Of arms but by thai moral force, !
lie cooperation Of which is indiauensa-
Die 10 carry this government through a
war. u men ~ that situation Of life told
he community that the government was
alIhg wrong course, many would be-
ieFe them, aud they thus subfracted from
lie government vast portion of lis mo-
'al power. They, therefore, MIR. ]. said,
iad ifallorously abandoned the ground
)n winch i!cy had pledged themselves
10 support the government, and so far
Turned their force aud power against if.
DC should not have risen. however. bit
I'D pa, 10 rights q statement which he mn