The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-31


ment OF committees for that purpose.
Another measure which would greatly
facilitate tho establishment of system Of
direct importations, would be the formation of
aconnection and correspondence between some
of our banks and some of those in England,
by which each should have a standing credit
with the other This would enable the banks
here to furnish merchants who might wish to
purchase goods in England with letters of
credit, upon receiving adequate security. The
bearer of such letter would have to pay
interest only from the time he actually drew
the money to pay for his purchases. This
would prevent the loss Of interest which he
would incur if compelled to provide himself
with money before he set out on his adventure.
Cotton purchasers from England would derive
the same benefit by obtaining similar letters,
| from the banks there, upon those Of our banks,
with which they should have an established
credit
| If in addition to these facilities, our banks
would establish agencies in Europe, and adj
vance limited amount, upon Cotton con-
| signed to them, it would greatly contribute to
accomplish our great object, by enabling our
citizens to export their own cotton, as well
as to import their own merchandise, without
the Intervention Of any Northern agency
| In concluding their report, the Committee
cannot but express their strong conviction,
that the success of this great movement to-
wards the emancipation of the great staple
growing States from their commercial tram
mels, will depend more upon individual enter
prise, sustained and supported by an enlight-
ened public opinion, than upon any measures
OF legislation, however important these may
be. The business of direct importations
must be commenced at once for if the pre-
sent occasion is permitted to pass away I'M
improved, one equally propitious may never
occur. The Committee recommend the Con-
yention to adopt the following resolutions, in
furtherance of the views expressed in the fore
| going report
l. Resolved, That in the opinion of this
Convention, the present juncture in our
commercial affairs is eminently propitious for
the establishment of a system of direct i'm
portations through our Southern and South
western cities, and that we are called upon
| by every consideration of interest and of
patriotism, to throw off the degrading shackles
Of our commercial dependence.
2. Resolved, That with view to induce
public spirited capitalists to embark in this
/
States be recommended to give public mani
festations of their determination to encourage
and sustain importations through their own
seaports.
g. Resolved, That two Committees be APP
pointed by the President of the Convention,
to memorabilia respectively, the legislatures
of Georgia and South Carolina on the sub
ject of limited copartnerships.
4. Resolved, That a Committee be APP
pointed to prepare an address to the people
Of the Southern and Southwestern States,
setting forth the advantages and practicabiity
Of carrying on direct trade with foreign
nations-exhibiting in detail the extent of
their resources.
S. Resolved That said Committee, in
preparing such address, embody and conform
to the views Of the Convention as expressed
in the Preamble and Resolutions adopted.
On motion the Report and Resolutions were
ordered TO be read separately.
The secretary then read the first resolution.
As soon as he had finished, Gen. McDuffie
rose, and spoke in favor Of the resolution and
| the objects of the Convention. He was
followed by Joseph Cumming. Esq, Of Sa-
vannah Seaborn Jones, Esq, of Columbus
and Mr. Chappell, of Macon, all of whom
spoke at length on the benefits which the
meeting of this convention was likely TO pro-
duce to the Southern States, if the citizens
thereof would only take the subject matter
into serious consideration, and lay hold of it
with hand and heart.
After Mr.. Chappell had finished speaking,
Mr.. VIM bearing, Of Athens, then rose and
moved that the convention take a recess until
four o'clock, which on being put to the vote
was lost.
The question on the adoption of the first
resolution, was then put and carried unani-
mously.
The second resolution was then read by
the secretary and was adopted without debate
as was also the third.
The fourth resolution was then read, but
before the question was taken, Mr.. Seaborn
Jones rose and stated to the convention that
he had resolution which he wished to offer
to the convention, and that if approved of
should precede the resolution just read he
then read the following resolution.
Resolved, That it is a sacred duty which
the citizens ofthe Southern and Southwestern
States owe to themselves, their posterity and
their country, TO give a decided preference in
procuring their supplies, to our merchants
who carry on a direct trade with foreign ma
tons.
Joseph Cummings, of Savannah, opposed
the resolution,-he thought it was unnecessa-
ry and would do no good-merchants would
buy where they could procure their goods on
the best terms; and that if the South could
not afford greater facilities than the North,
they would still resort to Northern markets
But he believed the South could afford as
great or greater inducements, and if she did,
there was no need to appeal to the patriotism
Of its citizens, for both patriotism and interest
would induce them to trade with us.