Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-01

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sion. 1T any mischief has been produc-
ed by it, you can prevent IL for the future
If any good, then you can either CON
tinue il or make additions to 1T. The
-enate will do US the Justice to believe
that we were animated with the most ar
dent desire to do every thing that could be
done, in the best possible manner 1t is
a question Of the deepest interest, and in
which the large mercantile cities of the
Union are particularly interested.
Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, thought this
subject vas one of the greatest impor-
lance, and one that ought to be treated
with the greatest attention. The bill
had been drawn up with very great at
tention by the committee, but he thought
it might be amended i'll such a manner
as to make it more effective. Some aid
ought to be afforded to the merchants;
but the power to arm, he said was not
wanted; that power existed already by
the law Of the nation. An act was pas
sed in 1919, which was continued to
1882, and afterwards made permanent,
authorizing srming against pirates,
though the wording OF the present bill
was much better than the existing law
on this subiect-But although merchants
had the power to arm, yet most Of them
had not the means; for the trade was not
profitable, barely paying freight. There
fore it would be aiding the Navy of the
United States in ait'ording them the
means Of arrning. The most certain
course for putting down piracy, MIR. S.
said, would be that, on every attack made
by piratical vessel, they might meet
with resistance, till in the end, finding il
Improbable, they would seek some more
honourahIe mode Of aubsistence.-Hc
had prepared 4 section with a view
to this subject.
If any blockade took place, of tho pro-
priety of which he had his doubts, he
thought the wording OF the bill was raul-
ty. A pirate is to be pursued into port
and then a dispatch is to be sent hclne
to ascertain whether the port is to be
blockaded or not, and by the time the an
swer comes, the pirate mas flown and the
blockade is useless.
If the blockade was to be declared, he
thought there was wav in which it
might be more effectualIv done, and with
out giving offence to ion eign nations. The
present bill would be ineificacious. Bri-
fish or French vessels which were bound
TO Matanzas, and were turned oft, would
ask for authority for such an act 1t is
not to be found in the law Of nations.
Where then? In the laws of the United
States! They will say, those laws don't
affect us, and we will go in. What will
you do? Fire on them9 That might be
avery dangerous experiment, and involve
us In war.
Mr.. >. then proceeded to observe, that
ne threw out the following proposal for
consideration: II, in fire. h pursuit, a
boat were chased into Matanzas. why not
authorize the American captain 10 inform
the commander OF the port. and, if he
refuses to deliver him up, blockade the
Port 50 far as 10 prevent any Spanish YES
Sci going in Also, send despatch to
government. This would give no offence
TO foreign nations, and would be more eff.
ficacious. than the proposition Contained
in the bill,
There was a variety CT consideration
that presented themselves on the subject
Of blockade, to one or two of which ne
would call the attention of the Senate.
The direct trade to Cuba was very great,
although, by the laws of Spain, they were
hOl permitted 10 trade with her colonies.
During the French Revolution, the ports
were opened to all the world, but one of
the first acts Of the king, on his rcturn
70 his throne, was to order them to be
shut again. Three successive orders
came, but were never put in execution.
Spain will now say, you have done
your best to put down piracy, we have
likewise done all we could. and there
now remains nothing to be done but to
cut Off al! trade with foreign nations.
We must shape our course i'm such q
manner as shall justify ourselves 10 the
world and yet not be injurious to our
own interests. The produce Of the mid
die states was worth nothing without
the Cuba markets. There was no port
to which they could send it, and should
they risk the loss Of these? The COM
MERGE with the Spanish West Indies
IS The most valuable we possess.
He thought the measure he proposed
was warranted by the law of nations, and
yet would not give offence to Spain.
He did not wish to commit himself bat
merely threw out the suggestion for con-
sideration.
The bill was then postponed untilto-
morrow.
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