Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-19

ses Mr.. Martin. to have urged against the constl-
tuition that it did not contain the power Of prOtec-
,iun. But. if the gentleman will look again at
what Mr. Martin said, he will find, think, that
what Mr.. Martin complained Of was, that the
constitution, by its prohibitions on the States,
had taken away from the States themselves the
power Of protecting their own manufactures by
duties on imports. This is undoubtedly true;
but find no expression Of Mr.. Martin intimat-
ing that the constitution had not conferred on Con.
press the same power which it had thus taken
from the States.
But, SIR, let rs 90 to the first Congress-: let US
look in upon this and the other House, at the trst
session Of their organization.
We see in both Houses men distinguished
among the trainers, friends, and advocates, OF the
constitution. We see in both, those who had
drawn, discussed, and matured the instrument
in the Convention, explained and defended II De-
fore the people, and we're now elected members
of Congress 10 nut the new Government into mo-
tiou. and to carry the powers Of the constitution
iuto beneficial execution.
At the head Of the Government was Washing
ton himself, who had been President of the Con.
yeniion, and in his cabinet were others most tho
roughly acquainted with the history OF the con
s,itu,ion, and distinguished for the part taken in
its discussion.
II these persons were not acquainted with the
meaning Of the constitution; if they did not un'
derstand the work of their own hands, who can
understand il, or whu shall now interpret it 10
uss
Sir, the volume which records the proceedings
and debates OF the first session OF the House OF
Representatives lies before me. loFen it, and
find that, having provided for the administra'
ton of the necessary oaths, the very first inca.
sure proposed for consideration is, the laying OF
imposts; and in the very first Committee of the
Whole into which the House OF Representatives
ever resolved ITSELF o,. this its earliest subject,
and 10 this its first debate. the duty OF so laying
the imposts as to encourage manufactures was
advanced. and enlarged upon by almost every
speaker; and doubted or denied by none. The
first gentleman who suggests this rs the clear du-
ty of Congress, and as an object necessary to be
attended to. is Mr.. Firz,imons, Of Pennsylvania
the second MIR White. Of VIRGINIA; the third
Mr. Tucker, Of Sou III CAROLINA.
But the great leader, sir. on this occasion,
was Mr.. Madison. Was he likely to know the
intentions Of the convention and the peope!-
Was he likely to understand the constitutions
At the second sitting of the committee. Mr..
Madison explained his own opinions of the duty
of Congress, fully and explicitly. must not
detain you, sir, with more than few short ex-
tracts from these opinions, but they are such as
are clears ineligible, and decisive.
"The States" says he, "that are most ad-
vanced in population, and ripe for manufactures,
ought to have their particular interest attended
the power Of making regulations OF trade, they
had the power to cherish such institutions. BY
adopting the present constitution, they have
thrown the exercise OF this power into other hands;
they must have done this with an expectation
that those interests would not be neglected here"
In another report Of the same speech, MIR.
Madison is represented as using still stronger
language; as saving that the constitution. having
taken this power away from the States, and con-
ferred it un Congress. it would be fraud On the
States and tn the people, we're Congress to re-
fuse 10 exercise it.
Mr.. Madison argues, sir, on this early and in
teresting occasion. very justly and literally IN
favour of the general principles of unrestricted
commerce. But he argues also, with equal
force and clearness, for certain important excep
tons to these general principles
The first, sir, respects those manufactures
which had been brought forward under encour
agement BY The State Governments sit would
be-cruel." says Mr. Madison. - to neglect them,
and to divert their industry into other channels,
for ii is not possible for the hand OF man to SHIFT
from one employment TO another without being
injured by the change" Again: "There NAV
be some manufactures which, being once formed,
can advance towards perfection without any al.
ventitious aid; while Others for want OF the fos.
tering hand of Government, will be unable to 60
on at all. Legislative provision, therefore, will
be necessary to collect the proper objects Tor
this purpose; and this will form another excep
ton to my general principle" And again: {" The
next exception that occurs is one on which great
stress is laid by some well informed men, and
this with great plausbty; that each nation
should have, within itself the means of defence,
independent oil foreign supplies; that, whatever
relates 20 the operations OF war. no State ought
to depend upon a Precarious supply from any
part Of the world. There NAV be some truth IN
this remark, and therefore 1t is proper for legis
latve attention."
In the same debate, air. Mr.. Burk. from
South Carolina, supported duty on hemp. for
the express purpose oi encouraging its growth on
the strung lands OF South Carolina. "Cnttnn,'