Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-02-18
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COMMERCE. AND NANIGATION.

L
q" so much Of the Pre-. .nt's message az relates 10
| The commerce OF the unied States with foreign Ma.
| toas, the amendment of the laws to prevent Snug.
| CLING. and the establishment of warehouses;'
Various memorials, representing the de pre- ssed
aiion OF our navigation, and pet'ioning for allow
snce oil drawback on cordags aud other articles
| uiactur-d from foreign materi-is;
| And two resolutions Of the House. viz:
| To inquire INFO and report what effect our late
revenue laws have produced on commerce with
foie ign countries" and
To inquire into and report tn. past and prs.
sent condition OF cur navig alton; and to recommend
such measures az may BE- necessary 10 enlarge our
commercial marinr;"
Submit the owing report:
10 do justice to III" comprehensive inquiries submit
Ted TO the committee, il became Necessary go ino
an extensive examination OF our me cial policy,
and TO trace its influence navg interest
40 intimately connected with the prosperity and safety
OF country. The pp.i,i OF the United S'acs their
rich aud various productions. and their native CONNER
cidi enterpri,e, the to all the political
qnenco, resulting from belligerent violations Of neural
rights, and oblige them vgilanty suustintend their
comm-rcia marine, the most efec,ua defence OF he
nation aud it, honor. For, whatever reliance may
pace on few poorly garrisoncd fortihcaiions AMI
however firm confidence may he in the patriotism
ana eaiiantry OF our militia, in the last emergencies of
war; our main dependence for the drence Of so
sive maritime frontier, ever be on our Naval
power. Iil' - not to be preserved merely by the dis
cpline oil officers. the accumulation OF materials, and
me cons'rnccn Of ships Of The public treasure
IL nseessy expended these Objects. wh ere Navy
- unsupported by hardy snd well dis plined marine
Our mariners have always been distinguished for ce
leritv, courage rn entrrpi.e and our naval career
was clearly indicated, from the moment orr commerce
was hbera ed from colonial restri"ons and thu States
were united under our present constitution. Naviga-
ton was, accordingly, the iaVori,e otect in al
W legislation. Not with any view enlarge private
proht hut for purso.s more within the l-ri i,nAie
province OF wise AMI iust guvernment-to incre asa
our conerelai marine ~ powerful auxiliary to
u'ihha aud army. BY parsni ling navigation, Go.
V~rnmen adnped the expensive mode of ere ating
ana organizing corps OF maiorrs. so ind'pen.abv
irr'ss"S ia war Such was the policy of oir Federal
government Ill December, 1907 Till that tire,
revenue laws were enacted national grounds and
II aug particular 'anch OF industry derived hen tit
from our legislation, lite profits Incidental
s"r"s adon"d fnr national purposes ~ that year the
o"riges OF the two great he'ligerent Powers. made it
necessary TO commence series Of guar restric-
Uon$ on trade which led 20 the war of 1872 AMI
minated hnally with that con,e,t in 1915 Previous 10
these political Restrictions from 1899 10 1907 our coun.
Try preSened spectacle OF prosperity which had never
h'Fh s"rRas'ed, bv any nation in any age. We had
h'"n suddenly emancpatpd from colonial conditions;
we ha united the energies and Of the Sta:os;
we han MOI Then learned 10 inermeille with private
enrioymen'; we had heavy taxes to encourage
snngving. Gimnh umption. and repress industry:
we haH no s'imuants but profit and enterprise; no
e""rs h"i intelligence aud Judgment. We had, it il
""' determinations, minute and maRoli but, happi-
~ Tor the country our mposts wsre moderate, our
Spec"i"'ions harmless. snl trade free. The
succeeding eight years If restrictions ard war, check.
=" IN" natural and rapid march OF onr industry and
grove us in'o emDlevInens new anil unsuited to our
| age and condition. The paace OF 1915 naturally re-
sore Us to our oil oroupa'ions AMI tn. sudden re-ac
Ncn oil TN tie OF c1mmsr~e a large potion
o. caltA' which hal been rrematurrly invested Peace
h'n nor or returned, but tn woril had
anee OF 10 long cor'inuahca The body wars which
preceded 'hr fall OF Napoleon tie Termination OF his
shnin@ career tn revolutions of Governments, and
'he crIlc'i CONDITION OF throUe., left Furop" and her
sovereign in disposition embark speedily in new
wars We had before tho prospect "f long and &C.
n"rA re'cF' AMI orr policy should have hssn reguls-
eh accordingly. Or revpnu- laws should have heen
r"S"r"d era!ndly. but deciv-Iy, their cnn liiion
rr"Vou' TO the Our policy unfortunately ook
anoher direction. The tariff Of 1916 laid Tire founha.
| non OF Az orr suhseuurnt errors, and have now
been engaged for fifteen wears i'm an unavoidable qx
pertinent 10 rfct what embargo non-im pnrtaon non.
intercourse, and war, failed to accomplish. We have
attempted y the force Of Cor DEGREES
70 r's's the natural and sanitary tendency Of
dusiry tn c'mm"rcid and agricultural pursuits. We
have been steadily sacrificing the commerce pavga.
t'n, and capital Of NV j. gland merely 10 bring for
war" n"w co"pet'ors in manufacturing, 70 embarr,ss
our Old sklfnl arzans s. 10 rnu themselves We have
rom ses'on 10 se'siou kept trade in such agsiion and
uncertainty, that The value Of property could never he
asrerained till the Adjournment Of Congress- and this
we nave cal d encour airing and protecting our indus.
ry we have wasted millions Of ancient profi's Of
n"h'tcP IN visionary experiment 10 increase our
naiionA wealth. In legislative aempt To make our.
selves more comnleiey inds pendent of foreign nations
We rave NOS Eft ctuAlly undermine thu found ,ou OF
,ha' ra'a' power which canalone protect country
1 from foreign aggression
Your committee unwilling 10 agitae this cues.
on as they are little di'posod disturb the value Il
our ia''onai property. But, when our commercial
pocy, Tor IN" last fifteen IL candIly revi
ihFy feel persuaded that ic House pe come To the
conclusion. that however harsh il may be- 10 reform
me po'icv oil nation s tournament welfare is honor
ana us saf'Y, sometimes render IL nscessary In
AVON me caIaht'ies which result from obstinate
perseverance in hal Measures. The regulations nj
our commerce anb revenue now existing. not only PIT
IN jeopardy our bsonal honor and safety aud the in.
rFes NJ agriculture and navieaon hut they will he
fonn' on examination. 10 be Of the most unf, endy
character 10 The largest portion Of our
Nh'ever may have been the honesi intention Of hose
who framed our laws. ihsy hive M o,er tpndenc
IMAM 10 increase our taxes diminish consumpion de.
stroy trade. and however extraordinary may SEEM 10
draw pr minms from American inIrs'ry 10 enroursOe
Biih niAnuiaeures, aud To nerpeuaie their ascsnan.
~ even in orr market In making last afempt
n arrest The progress OF Destructive 10 our
ns'ionsi property, shall ALLOW ourselves IN he
innidaei by the rapid succession of our arts since the
war " And, however willing they might he to leave
the pAhy Of ndu'trv T. accommodate its@if even In
he worst Of Laws, II IL impossible 10 view this question
~ any ofhor Nqh' Than unsptrd one" The late
President nj the United States, Nv HE last message To
Congress, most huv salt, that tariff was in it,
details, not accep able IN portion NJ lie Union,
even 10 ,he interest, which specially int nded
TO 'uhserve." Our present Chief Magistrate cypress.
v" Invites at'.n on 10 the existing t,rif. beTev.
ing hat some Of its provisions require moIihcai' n
and be solicits particular attention" 10 the a..
cultural Interest. with The approaching redemption
81 tur publ" don't, he usy anticipates that pop
nlaion will he relieved from a considerable portion Of
i's present burihens"
4 The Committee therefore indulge the hone. tb,,
the pot cal calm, existing, will lie wisely EN-.
adj sffNn Ia