Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-13
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURES.
HoUSE OF pELEG.azE.S.

HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Tie question being on the adoption Of the .4.,li-
Tariff preamble and resolutions, repoyteG 5v,
the Select Committee. &c. JHr,. EpPEs address
e4te House, IN substance, as foU0,rs:
l rise. sir, TO address the House under the influ.
ence of feelings, that, upon no former occasion of
my life, have found il my duty TO indulge. The
subject is Of the highest character, whether it be
regarded in reference to its intrinsic Importance.
or that which is ascIibed 10 it by the course the
debate has taken. twas my wish, as well as
that al the Committee, that the report which is
submitted, should 60 10 constituents and to
the world, without comment by us, for then, TO
read, reflect and decide. Gentlemen however
are not content. They will discuss this subject.
They complain OF Us for not sustaining the report
by argument: Sir, they shall be graIified
shall not attempt the course OF debate, adopt
ed by the gentlemen on the other side. l care
noi sir, how often the government may have re-
peated the abuse of its powers, How deem il may
be dyed with the guilt Of usurpation. | DENY tho
conclusion attempted TO be adduced from this source
And while shall leave the debate upon this branch
OF the subject, to other members of the Commit
tee, shall contend, generally, that powers which
are proved by the record Eyes, sir, the record OF
the Convention that made this form CT govern
fnent,) to have been proposed TO he given, amt
Ufre denied, Is evidence OF record. against The
exercise OF such powers, by implication, by in
ference, OF by construction l speak of facts
well known to gentlemen on the other side That
the Federal government, is a government of lin
tied powers. for specified objects, had heretofore
UNDERSTOOD, as agreed by all parties. Ii seems
however, sir, 10 Do a government of discretion
That power to regulate commerce, is a power to
project domestic manufactures, is conclusion in
no other way 10 be justified
In support OF this reading OF the Constitution,
it is said, that the first act of the first
Congress. acknowledges the power; and the
title Is read 10 prove it:--that many (per-
haps a majority CT the Convention] were
members of that Congress. Well, sir a number
N gent tcp ,l,o-g 81. r.
gress that passed the alien and sediiioli lars
Were these laws sanctihed by the presence of
those men! The States and the People have de-
cJded otherwise. II the government be one of
Limited powers, and those powers, granted for the
attainment Of particular objects, Gentlemen must
produce other witnesses TO satisfy me- that an as
sumption or an abuse of power, proves con-
siiiutiona right to the power.
But ii is wise and politic Is it So sir? To de-
termine this question, let us look at the condition
oil our country when this policy is perfected. The
contamination OF this policy il the destruction of
The impost If not, also, tie destruction of the
foreign commerce OF the county. Will gentle
men please to tell me, how the expenses of 90.
vernment are 10 be paid, when the duty on i'm
posts is destroyed! Do moi know how it is TO be
done' Will not the sheriff, or marshal, have to
pay his respects 10 constituents, our neighbors;
10 u.s. sir TO raise the twenty millions of annual ex
penditure! How are we TO pay it, The substi-
tuition Of the home market, as il is called, for the
foreign market, will destroy the latter, without
impar,ing to the former ability 10 purchase the
surplus products Of the country. And what is the
effect Every gentleman here knows, that the
foreign merchant cannot.buy, unless he can sell:
That If the duties raised 10 exclude him. I'M
less they produce corresponding demand and a.
Oiiity to purchase at home, that the price of all
Articles OF export must Decline In this state of
things. whatbecomes Of the men who make corn
and cotton! Their expenses increased, Certainly
not diminshed0 their ability to pay, mot TO pur-
chase, sir,) impaired in proportion 10 the reduced
pfIce Of their produce; And the whole hos. OF
capitalists, freed from any contribution to the pub
lie burdens, while hey pocket the difference, by
compelling US TO purchase of them, at a higher
prise, and leave Us TO pay the taxes. Is This the
system, sir, so lovely III the eyes of gentlemen
will put a case. Four bales OF cotton worth, ono
hundred dollars each, are brought to market. The
foreign merchant 10 willing and ready 10 pay the
difference in money, after you have selected al
pleasure such articles, and such only as YOU
choose TO buy. You sell the whole crop.-Change
the scene. The foreign merchant is excluded
IRON the market. The quantity is bought, and
offered TO the domestic market. Cline words, won
der where they stole EN-" The domestic manu-
tacturer can only buy one bale, and can give
bnt eighty dollars for that and requires me by this
policy tobuy the flannel for my wife & children,
the wooiiens for my negroes, and a coat for myself
nom him. Yes, sir, must barter. Now, if the
PTice was equal, and the market only 20 the ex.
tent mere supposed, Is il not apparent that must
20 elsewhere to sell the three other bales? Where
am 10 go! The foreign market is ruined by this mo-
Icy. They csnnot buy unless they can sell TLev
cannot sell here, because the law urohibiis ~
introduction Of their goods. What ensues, +
must sell Ae balance Tor any price 1 can get, and
ruin is the consequence.
4. isu urged with an air OF confidence, in opposi-
ton 90 this conclusion, that cotton gOods OF Amer.
manufacture fgfo ghcaupr