Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1831-03-03
Che Constitutional gubtD.
CONGH ESS.
PAYDAY. Fen. IS.
SENATE.

ary, reported the bill from the House. for the relief
of certain nsolvent debtors of the United States;
without amendment; and remarked that he should
call tho attention OF the Senate to this important bill
on Tuesday next
Mr. DicKERsoN presented a memorial from certain
citizens of New Jersey, praying that the duties at
present imposed the Importation of foreign iron
NAV not be reduced
Mr. BENTON laid before the Senate the following
resolution:
Re,oired, That the powers conferred ON Congress-
by the Stat TO lay and collect duties and regu-
late commerce, distinct and inconveribe powers,
aiming at different objects, and requiring different
forms Of legislative action: the levying power being
confined n imports aud chiefly intended raise
enue; the regulating power beng directed exports
aud solely intended procure favorable for the
admission of the ships and products of the States.
3. That the power to lay and collect duties on i'm
ports was solicited by the founders Of tho present
Federal Government, and granted by the States, for
the express purpose Of paying the public debt, and
With tk: solemn and reiterated assurance that tho
duties LEVIED for that purpose should tho mo-
ment the debt was paid; which assurance was given
in answer objections from the S,ates and to quiet
the approximations expressed by some of them that
the grant Of power to Congress 10 raise revenue from
the commerce. of the States, without limitation of
time, quantity, and without accoun, ability to them
for its expenditure, might render Congress indcpen-
den. Of the States, and enGangcr their liberties and
prosperity.
3. That the public debt will (probablyj be paid off
in the year 1884, and the amount of about twelve
millions of dollars of revenue will then be subject to
abolition, and ought to be abolished, according to the
agreement Of the parties at the establishment Of the
present Federal Government, and in conformity to the
present actua condition and interest of the States
4. TIA, abolition of twelve millions of duties
w!l be releft 10 the people of from about sixteen
cH''n oftaxes estimating the retail merchant od-
.a. upon the duties al onethirdl and that the said
-.oi .on may be made without mlnishiny tho mo-
..',H iue to any essential branch or pursuit. of do
--s industry, and with manifest advantage to most
.. Ten.
,. That TOR the purposes OF enabling Compress 70
v,ermine with entire safety to every interest, and
with full satisfaction to The public mind, what bran
ches and pursuits of domestic industry nav be emit,
tied to protection and ought to be guarded from the
injurious effects of foreign competition Joint COM
mttee of the Senate and House of Represop,,tivoe
ought to be appointed to take the examination, of
practical men producers, consumers and importers
IN all doubtful Cases. and to report their evidence To
the two Houses of Congress.
.; Hhat the said committee ought to be appointed
at the commencement Of the next stated session.
q That the power to regulate foreign commerce
was granted to Congress by the States, for the ex
press and sole purpose of enabling Congress to oh
tain and secure favorable markets abroad for m. ~
ports OF the States, aud favorable terms for the ad
mission or their ships; and, eec, these objects bv
establishing an equitable system OF commercial yec-
Proc!ty, discrimination, and relation, which should
measure oack to every foreign nation the same de-
gree or favor, or GSfayor, which itself measured ou,
TO the commerce aud navigation Of the l. STATE,
U. That the power 20 regulate foreign commerce
although OF the first of the enumerated ,o,or
Of the Constitution and the induring Cause of its
adoption, mas never yet been exercised by Compress
3. That the approaching extinction Of the nubI;c
debt, and consequent obligation to abolish and aGysn
tage IN abolishing about twelve millions of annno,
revenue WI enable the u States 10 receive large
portlon OF her foreign commerce, say the onc-belf
thereof, free of duty and that the far princpics of
JUS! reciprocity, the dictates Of obvious policy
TO the States, and the constitutional duty of the Fed
eral Government, already too long deferred will re-
In
all nations which may wish to be admitted 70 n.r
tlcipntlon IN the enjoyment of this great amount .
free and unrestricted trade.
~. mat The free importation of the following arti
Ec'cs among othersJ may be admitted into The United
states without compromising the prosperity of ,n,,
branch or pursuit, of domestic industry and win
manhest advantage to most of them, namely: linens
shRs, wines, coffee, cocoa worsted stuff goods seve
raj descriptions OF woo!lens, several Qualities az FIN.
cottons. several kinds of spirits, &c. &c
~. i"s' me iree importation of the said articles
ought to be offered to all nations which shall ,r,n,
equivalent advantages to the commerce and nov;a5s,;
OF the United States, and will receive the pyodc,s
their industry, namely, fish, furs lumber naval store
beet, bacon, pork, grain, -four r;cr cn;,o, ,,Ls'
live stock, manufactures of cotton Iea,h.- 81
silk, butter and cheese soap and candles hats, sIa"s
and gunpo"der, lead shot, and sugar spirits made NJ
portion thereof. either free of duty or mn rp ~
ut moderate and reasonable duties to be agreed uno
and to no other nations whatever '~''
IL. That there is nothing in existing ,r.o,v ,,;,
IONS WIN foreign powers to prevent the regulation of
our &c commerce rn upon the foregoing principles.
10 lhat all commercial nations will find il 10 their
sasan.age 10 regulate their commerce with the Uni
,eu s,acs on these principles, as, in doing so the
VIII substitute fair and liberal trade for 80
veXal,nns, expressions, restrictions and smugpns,
provisions Tor subsistence and materials for
manufactures on cheaper terms and more ohund.D,I
WV, promote thelr own EXPORTS will increase their
revenue oy increasing consumption and diminish;ne
smuggling; and in refusing to do SO. will d,a, o,n
Jury upon themselves in the loss which will ens1e Of
States. Nv" ''e C"'teu
81 -, Ina. the agriculture manufactures. commerce.
ana navigation Of the United States would be grca,I
nenehued by regulating foreign trade on the forey
ns prncpes; hrst, by getting rid of oppressive dn
ues upon tue staple productions Of the United state
IN ioregn markets; secondly, by lowering at home ihc
ted from abroad. 1e''"y' ImPor-
10; That the safest and mos, satisfactory nod. &c
reguntn8 foreign commerce on these nrnc;nIos
would be by combining the action Of the
ana treaty making powers; Congress filing bS Law or
Jpt teso'uu9n; .hs articles on which duties may be
NATIONS tor the grant Of equivalents '''S'b"
H.