Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-03-27

lie was averse TO The repeal OF The entire
act OF 1917, but was iii favor of the repeal
of the two last sections of il: they were
called the bond section and the collec-
| tors section. He stated why he was in
favor of retaining the provisions of the
act, except these two sections That act
had been framed with the view of extend
| ing the provisions OF the act OF i794. pro
hibiting our citizens from taking part IN
| d war between two independent nations.
! with whom wcMere AT peace, 70 the ease
OF the Spanish colonies and the mother
| country. The act spoke of =" a foreign
| prince or state, aud there had been IN
! Ol:r courts 4 decision which sccncd 10 in
| dicaie The ncrcSsiiy OF using some farther
| designation in order Ia take in the ease ol
the Spanish colonies. J he first Secjon
! of the act OF 1917 differs from thar o;
| 1904, IN lille else ihan the addition OF ilr
words "c"iony, district or people" after
the words prince o. state" This IL
mendmCnt had brcu thought necessary
| last year. he had moi been present lien
! lie bill WAS passed. ana should perhaps
have hcSitated about passing any bin
VITA VIEWS particularly la tins contest.
ht there WAS ii difference between pass
| ln9 the bill aud repeating it, Spain
don Her conduct had given her 10 pc
! GUITAR claims upon US. He should, there
fore, perhaps have voted against The law
| But n is now a law; and 10 repeal al this
| time provision which extends to her the
! provisions of the act Of 1904, might per
| hap> jrS'ly be considered IS uuiriendiv
| ana hustle. And willie h., ther, fore,
viewed with as much interest as amy gen
tieman The cause of the Spanish patriots,
he viewed, with as little appreciation, the
course OF the Spanish government he
would avoid whatever nigh, endangcr
the peace ot tile nation. He considered
i our true policy 10 mann aili peacctlf we
can without compromising The dignity
oi the nation. 1t is not less our interest
now 10 avoid being emtdugied in South
American affairs, than II was 10 avoid, IL
1874, being implicated in European guar
reiS tie was, therefore, disposed 10
maintain, by all proper MEAS. the ncli
traity Of lie Uaiied States; bal !, should
DE dignlfied neutrality, IA, involving
ourselves in difficulties, nor shrinking
from What was due 10 our Own character
anh standing among the M innS &c the
earth. II Was partly with tins view thai
he WAS opposed 10 the last sections of the
act of 1917. Spain has not entitled her
sell 10 expect this government TO go far
iher than they did in 1894, for the pre-
serva'lon OF lts neutrality. T1eSe Sec
tioss Tia go farther. A gentleman uuw
w!thin the walls Of the house &, scral
treston) who was in Congress IN I79J,
tells me the attempt was made 10 intro.
duce similar provisions into tie act OF
thai year. II was opposed by the most
intelligent merchants, as emba RAISING
and oppressive, since II rendered ii ne
ce7Sary HAT every East Indiamam. going
armed, should be compelled 10 give bond
before she could sail. FIR. FiiZsimmons.
a distinguished merchant, was mentioned
as opposing IT. The proposal failed in
l7of. Can SPAN expect US, i'll her favor,
10 go farther than we would go then
Dy no means. Let us then leave the first
section of the act of 1917 III force, and
repeal the Two last sections. This pla-
ces spain and the colonies on the same
footing As other nations are BIS Ike act Of
1904. MIR. Il. had specific objections ia
these clauses. Tile bond clause must be
announcement 10 East India merchants.
An intelligent East India merchant tells
me ihai II Is considered as an inconveni-
ent provision at this day. 1t must be in
convenient; il holds ereiy merchant 10
security twiiO, from the nature of his
trade, Is obliged 10 go armed) merely be
cause some vessels have been Illegally
fitted out. II runs counter 10 the princi-
pies OF our law, 10 hold all 10 security lest
some should break the law. The other
section, ne said, was more objectionable.
1t authorizes seizure by the coll ctor.
upon suspicion II puts into his hands
powers that belong 10 the judiciary; they
are ample powers. ifthere be just ground
OF suspicion, oil affidavit, Judge may
issue his warrant against the offender: