Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-05
9WYfNMRSS.
FRIDAY, February 25, 1881
In SEN
TwENrY.FIRsr CoNoREss-SEcoNnS rs.

T..
MIR. Hendricks presented Joint re soIu Ions and a m e
mortal oil the stare Of Intina rea i've 10 road in thai
S'ae to the impi ovement OF the Wabash river and on
Of; which were referred.
Mr. Webster, from the Committee on the Judiciary,
reported the Till from the House, the relief of
tain insolveut debtors Of the Unite States without
amendment; and remarke' that he should call the ~
'enton OF the Senate 10 this important bill on Tuesday
next.
Mr. Benton laid before tho Senate the following re-
souon:
RESOLVED, Thatthe powers conferred on Congress by
the State 10 lay and collect duties and to regulate COM
merce, are distinct and inconvertbe powers aiming at
different objects and requiring eren forms Of egis-
lative action; the levyng power being confined to i'm
por's and chiefly Intended to raise revenue the regu
ang power being directed TO experts and solely inten
ded to procure favorable for the admission of the
ships and products of the States
That the power to lay and collect duties on imports
was solicited by The founders of the present Federal Co
vernmen and granted by the States, for the express
purpose OF paying the public debt with the solemn
and reiterated assurance that the duties levied for that
purpose shouh cease the moment the debt was paid
which assurance was given in tons from
the States, and to quiet the apprehensions by
some OF them, that the grant power to Congress 10
raise revenue from the commerce of the States with
out Limitation OF time, quantity, and without account
ability TO them for its expenditure, might render Con
independent OF the States and endangcr their IL
berries and prosperity.
g. That the public debt will (pobably) be paid off in
the year 1884, and the Of twelve millions
oil dollars oil revenue will then be subject to abolition
and ought TO be abolished, according the agree
OF the parties at the establishment OF the present Fede
raj Government, and in conformity the present acu
al condition and interest of the States.
A. That an abolition OF twelve millions of duties will
be relief TO the people OF from about sixteen millions
oil taxes. ESTIMATING the retail merchants advance up-
on the duties at at -ihird) and that the said abolition
may be made without diminishing the due to
any essentiaisbranch or pursuit OF domestic industry
and with mantle advantage to most of them.
o. mat Tor the purpose OF enabling Congress de-
termine with entire safety TO every interest and with
iu satisfaction to the public mind what branches and
pursuits OF domestic industry may be entitled TO proec
tion ami ought to be guarded from the injurious effects
oil foreign competition, joint committee of the Senate
and House OF Representatives ought be appointed to
take the examinations of practical (producers con-
sumers, and importers) in all doubtful cases. and to
report their evidence to the two Houses of Congress
g. That the said Committee ough 10 be appo pted al
| the commencement Of the next stated session.
Z. Ihat tn power 10 regulate foreign commerce was
granted to Congress by the Sates for the and
sle purpose OF enabling obtain and secure
favorable markets abroad for the Spors OF the States
and favorable terms for the admission of their chips
and, TO effect these objects. by establishing squita
BILE system OF commercial reciprocity, discrimi ZION,
and relation, which should back to every TO-
reign nation, the same degree OF favor or disfayor,
which Itself measured out to he commerce and nayi.
| CATION Of the United States.
g. That the power to regulate foreign commerce,
although one OF the frat Of the enumerated powers OF
the Constitution, and tbs enduring cause OF lite aop-
| ton, has never yet been exercised by Congress
That the approaching extinction OF the public
debt and consequent obligation TO aboiish and sdvan-
yeDue will enable the United States TO receive are
portion OF her foreign commerce, say, the
hereof free OF duty and hat the fair principle of
just reciprocity the dictates Of Obvious policy justice
10 the States. and the constitutional duty Of the
raj Government, afro idy too long deferred will re-
qure This Governm' mt to .demsni equiv ae from
all nations. which may wish TO be admitted 10 a psrici-
patton IN the enjoyment of this great amount OF free
and unrrs ricted trade.
| TO- That he free importation Of the following arti.
ees, (amoDg othersO may be admired into the United
states, without cimpromisiug the property OF any
bran a. or pursui, OF domestic industry, and with
iie' Advantage to most of ihem namely: linens, silk
wines, coHss cocoa. worsted suf goodg, several de
scrpions OF woolleus several qualities Of foe cotops:
several kinds OF spirits, &c SC.
IL. That the free importation of the said articles
ough, 10 be offered TO all uatons, which shall grant
quvaent advantages TO the commerce aud navigation
OF the Unied States and will receive the products nj
their Industry namely, hb furs lumber, naval store
heel, bacon, pork, gram, flour, fics Gotten
live stock, manufactures Of cotoo, leather, wool an,
silk, butter snd cheese, soap and candles hate sass
ADD guopow Ter, lead, shot, aud sugar, spirits mat
graD and Doasses &c. &C., or some al, oo.,e n,o,o
ton thereof, either Tree of duty or upon pavmsnf n
mod rA'e ana reaonabIe duties, TO he agreed upon ia
treaties, and 10 continue for term OF years and 10 nr
| o her nations whatever.
IL That there is nothing in existing treaty spuIa
tons win foreign powers TO prevent the regulation Of
our commences upon tbs fore going principles
liz. That all commercial nations will 6nd II 70 lbeh
advantage 10 regulate their commerce with the Unite,
a'es on these principles ss, 10 doing So they vii
substitute fair and liberal trade, for trade Of vexs
itoDs, oppre saons, Tesficion and smuggling vii
obtain pr ovisons Tor subsistence aud materials for m
ufaclurs, on cheaper terms, and more abupdsniJv
will promote their own exports will increase their re
venue, by Increasing cOnsump ion, and dpio, hiDf
smuggling and 10 refusing to do so will draw gres
Injury upon tbemeelvss, IN he loss which will eosue
several great branches Of their trade With the Untee
7 Slater