Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-04-18
Ch,rl..ieu ConreutIon-Tbursd,y.

CharieStou Convenuon-lpuIsuAy.
The press upon columns Is so unusually heavy, we
are compelled content ourselves with brief synopsis
Of the proceedings the Charleston Convention Thurs
day was occupied 10 the consideration of the series oil res
outicns offered by Lieut.. Maury. The first and second
having been agreed to- the third read as follows
Rs,olyed Tha, Committee Of be appointed to me-
morialire Congress- in the OF this Convention ana
In the to the Importance OF anu
TO pray for the following m easurcs, viz:
I. The remission of duties on railroad iron .
9. Tho passage of act for the improvement OF the
merchant service by encouraging boys TO 60 TO sea- ana
preventing desertion. =,
8. To send one or two small naval steamers up the
Amazon for the purpose oil exploring the TRIBUTARIES OF
that river which the States owning them have declared
be free to the commerce and navigation oil tue whoe
world.
T. To encourage the establishment Of line OF mail
other Southern town and
the mouth Of the Amazon, some other port in Brazil
o. Aud also encourage the establishment of direct
mail route by steamers between some Southern port ana
Europe.
6. Upon the Improvement of harbors and navigable
rivers.
Mr. Polk moved to strike out the sixth clause o: the
resolution upon the ground that made the Convention
memoralist to Congress upon question which he had
always regarded bearing strictly political aspect
He opposed the consideration Of political propo
sitions BY the Convention. He hoped the Convention
would not make him memorialist in regard TO nAt
ter that the whole schooling of his mind would not permit
him to su bmit TO.
Mr. Lyons of Va trusted that the proposition relating
to remission Of duties railroad iron would be rejected
He willing ask Congress entirely to remit such
duties 1t would thereby be giving direct protection to
that article against manufacturers. lie regarded
it injurious and wrong in practice.
Mr.. Wallace, OF Va, was opposed to several PROPOSE
lions embraced in this resolution. He indisposed to
ask the Federal Government 10 confer any boon wstevr
on the South. He wanted the South put her own
shoulders the Wheel that might be seen what We
could do advance the Southern States in Agriculture,
Commerce and Manufactures.
Lieut. Naury said should be recolected that If there
any subject in which the whole people OF the
United States interested it the question ochesp
transportation. As thst end, cheap RArotd
iron a important element Any duty therefore,
this article equivalent placing obstruction
in the OF the important for the promotion
Of national prosperity.
Mr. Tiff of Ga, moved to amend the FIRST proposition
by striking the word remission and inserting the
word reduction The being taken By States upon
this amendment stood as foIloas:
For reduction, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky
Maryland Missouri South Carolina, Tennessee AID Vir.
GINA
For remission, louisiana Mississippi North Carolina
and Texas.
So the amendment was adopted.
Mr. Gregg, OF S. c. moved further amend by insert.
ing at the end the words locomotives and other
chibery."
he wished to know why they would recommend 4
dueton on Railroad iron, and continue it locomotives
aud other machinery Of which iron formed almost the
cole part The free importation Of machinery great
element In the Of American enterprises the
importation Of Railroad iron any other commodity
He was himself manufacturer, and knew the inconve.
nience to which he subjected of the duty
on machinery. At this very time, the company with
which he associated, wanted machinery, but they
could not obtain it until the Northern people supplied
Now, If 1t could be brought from Great Britain free of
duty they could get the price they had to pay
for il at the North, and in much quicker time.
He believed that the manufacture of cotton and woo,
was one great element Of in every country The
prosperity of Great tain both in wealth. commerce.
arts and science has taken its from the
OF WOOL and had been by the manufsctur
OF cotton. To the mtnucture OF the article alone
might be attributed the power and greatness of Great
Britain IL hal certainly done everything for New Eng
land and that the Southern States had all the elements
necessary compete 10 this respect with the New England
States be could demonstrate to e entire satisfaction
the Convention The manufacture of cotton the great
eat branch of business that she South could engage
Every ollie: branch depended upon it for success.
The question taken the amendment and it wa.
rejected.
The second proposition in the resolution then adopt
ed without opposition.
The question recurring the third proposition Lieut.
Herndon, Of Va, moved amendment, which was adopt
ed, making it read as follows
3. To send one or two small naval steamers nm the
Amazon for the purpose Of exploring the tributaries OF
that river, which the States owning them have declared
to be free TO the and navigation of the whole
world. And that the Government OF Brazil be requested
70 permit these vessels TO make explorations and sur
yeys on the shores Of the Amazon belonging that
ton.
The fourth and h propositions in the resolution were
then passed.
The question then REQUIRED the last proposition re-
iang 70 the Improvement Of harbors and navigablc H.
VOrs," which debated with considerable vehemeDce
Mr.. Polk, Of Tenn, moved TO strike it out
Mr. haury said that with regard to these improve
ments the doctrine, as presented this time was
an entirely different matter from what it was when I. was
part Of the politics Of the day. Take the habor of Charles
ton Al illustration.
At tho time when this party question of the day
Charleston had very small back country. She did not
Import and distribute than shout Eve million OF dol
lars year since that she had distributed as much as from
thirty i've 70 forty millions year. The government there.
te that refused 70 aid In the removal of these obsuc
tons, actually added them Such refusal was the mos,
suicidal course that could be pursued.
Mr. Polk was opposed to this proposition on the ground
that involved question Of political opinion which, If
""efe 70 bed al ALL should be decided 10 Congress
and nothers He would consent as M inyidual, 10
De made memoi't TO Congress, TO ask what be besy
ed 70 DO a violation Of the Constitution.
The question was then taken by vote Of States and
resulted, nays 10, ayes 4, a' follows.
Noes-Ahbami, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Loui,i,
%, Mississippi Maryland Missouri, North Carolina and
Texas.
Ayes-deOrga, South Carolina, Tennessee, and viz
giDis.
80 the motion to strike out was rejected.
Mr.. Polk then moved to amend the proposition AZ
adopted by adding the words "And that the Govern,
mentof tho United States purchase take the leland OF
Cuba" II the Convention, he said TO &C. upoo DO
ltIoal questions, he saw Improperly 10 lie memorable.
ing for The acquisition Of oubs lie considered pos
session Of oua necessary for the defence Of the
try a the Improvement OF rivers and barbors.
A delegate here moved to amend the amendment Ny
adding "snd that also purchase take the whole Of
Hosico."
After some confusion and slight exhibition Of the fL