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CONGRESS.
I loafs of Rcprefeutat'ives.
January 16.
In committee 0f the whole, on the report of
the Secretary of State, relative to toe com
mcrciiil ihicrcourfe of this country, ivith so-
rtt~v TJdt:uvs.
Mr. S. Smith after a few introdu&ory
obfei vat ions, said, the objett of the refuta
tion is to lay an extra duty on goods from
powers not in treaty with the United
States. Those duties will operate as a
bounty, fay for calcidation, of 5 per cent,
in favor of those powers with whom we
have a treaty of commerce—tor experience
has (hewn that those nations cannot supply
us on terms so favorable as that with whom
uo treaty exists.
It is a fnbje& then of fair enquiry—
what advantages we enjoy from those na
tion* (we are in treaty with) to induce
us to grant then* fnch bounty—and what
are the disadvantages which result from
those treaties ?
The United States have a commercial
treaty with France, Holland, Pruflia and
Sweden.
What arc the commercial advantages ?
The advantages in the treaties mod ufeful
to ui aie, that free mips make free goods,
and this is to be reciprocal.
We have seen that this stipulation has
been violated whenever the neceflity of the
cafe (in their opinion) made it ufeful to
France. The disadvantages of those trea
ties are their prizes coming into our.ports,
and their armed vessels cruizing on our
coasts.
It appears then, that we have no ad
vantages given us by those treaties fuffici
ent to induce us to lay a tax of J percent.
011 17 millions of dollars of importations,
from powers not in treaty with us, fay
850,000 dolla- s per annum to ast as a
bounty on the manufactures of the nations
in tleaty.
It then becomes a fubjeft of enquiry,
what injuries have we received from the
powers with whom we have no commer
cial treaty, that should induce us to tax
ourselves, 850,000 dollars per annum to
retaliate on them.
These powers are Spain, Portugal,
Denmark, Ruflia, Hamburgh, Bremen,
and the other iianfe towns, and Great Bri
tain.
Spain has laid a heavy duty on our flour
to e.icoui age her own ; but not more than
on that of other nations. She has also un
dertaken, in alliancc with Great Britain,
to prevent our taking our produce to
Franpe, contrary to the custom in former
wars. It is true, the fame two powers
attempted the fame thing on a former oc
casion. Spain has by a late editt granted
to nations in treaty of commerce, license
to trade to Louisiana, Florida, See. &c.
which immediately excludes us, and this
may be of serious consequence.
The EngliTn will introduce a good mar
ket for tobacco there ; perhaps they may
think it their interest to reduce the duty
or. that article, now 3s. 6d. per pound, to
the lame with ours, which is is. 3d. —or
if we pass these resolutions, make our 6
Js. 6d. and theirs is. 3d.
But Spain takes almofl all their flour,
a great quantity of wheat, corn and lum
ber, beef, pork, fifh, rice, &c. See. from
us, and is our very best customer.
She supplies us with dollars, brandy,
wine, fruits, fait, and silk goods, on fair
terms. Some of thefeare articles which can
not be procured from the powers in treaty,
and ought we to offend her to gratify our
resentment against England ?
Portugal reftifes since our Revolution
to take our flour—in every other refpeft
(lie is among our best friends—(he receives
our wheat, corn, lumber and many other
articles—her late conduct calls for our fin
cerr.ft gratitude.
She supplies us with wine, falt,fomeEaft-
India goods, lemons, &c. &c.
Why fiiould we declare commercial war
against such a friend ?
The immediate relations with Denmark
are encreafing daily, and on fair terms—
111 her islands we have the faireft inter
course. Our flour, meal, corn, lumber,
beef, pork, and fi(h, are received there in
our own bottoms, and we bring from
thence all their produce.—Their children
are educated among us, form friendfhips,
and matrimonial connexions.
Why (hould we declare a commercial
war apsinft a power so friendly ?
Russia affords us iron, hemp, fail-duck,
fln*etiogs, aud feme other articles—admits
to into her ports on fair terms, and leavei
to us the whole carrying trade between
the two countries. —What cause have tve
to tax her commodities ? She has done ao
thing to offend us—seems well difpofec—
and many of her articles can be had no
where else ; and it ought to be coniidered,
(he can support the armed neutrality.
Hamburgh and Bremen receive our ves
sels with every poflible mark of friendfhip
—they take great quantities of tobacco,
rice,, deerskins, furs, and a surplus of our
imports from the Weft Indies ; they sup
ply us with glass, German oznabrigs, and
other German linens ; on mucli better terms
than any other country. What injury
have those republics done us, that we
(hould throw their trade into the lap of
Holland, where we generally pay 5 to 10
per cent more than we pay in these ports.
I come now said Mr. Smith, to the
great Humbling block, Great Britain, a
gainll whom these resolutions point, and
whose political conduct has been the fruit
ful topic of so much declamation.
He concurred in opinion with those who
had severely reprobated the conduct of
their piratical privateers towards our navi
gation—but are those good reasons, said
he, why we should commence a commer
cial war with more than one half the Eu
ropean nations, or even with her, unless
we shall find it greatly to our intereit. Al
terations of commercical systems require
time and much delicacy in effe&ing. We
do not at present know what will be the
result of proper remonstrances against the
injuries we have fuffered ? Has Great Bri
tain laid any reftri&ions on our commerce
which are not fimilarto those (he lays on
other foreign nations ? I believe not.
Have we any advantages in her ports
over other foreigners ? I believe we have.
Our citizens go there, commence and
pursue trade, without being fubjcct to the
Alien duty paid by other foreigners.
Our tobacco pays 1/3 per lb. duty, when
all other pays 3/6 per lb.
Our pot and pearl afhesarefree ; others
pay 2f per cwt.—which is equal to the
freight.
Our naval stores pay less duty than ci
thers pay, which acting at a bounty to ui
enables us to fend thefc bulky articles to
such a distance.
Some of our wood is in the fame situa
tion.
The exportation of our lumber on these
advantageous terms, is particularly bene
ficial to, and promotive of our (hipping.
A cargo of lumber which costs not more
than 400 or 500 pounds would fell for 12
or 1400.
Mr. Smith observed that he presumed
no one would tax him with being preju
diced in favor of Great Britain ; he had
fuffered by them severely, he had fought
againll their usurpations, and (hould his
duty call him, he trusted he (hould not
heiitate to do so again. It is not what
Britain may fuffer by the system proposed,
but the disadvantage which will be the
consequence to the United States, that
ought to be taken into consideration. Our
duty is not to injure others, but to pro
tect our own interest.
Mr. Smith then enquired,
What have we done to benefit our own
commerce ?
In the firft. Congrefs,a duty of 50 cents
on foreign tonnage, and 6 cents on our
own, gave an advantage of 44 cents in
our favour ; and put us more than on a
footing with the extra light money of 1/9
fterl. a ton on onr velfels, charged in all
their parts, except London.
We also laid a duty of i-ioth extraon
goods by foreign veflels—what has been
its consequence.
A gentleman from Virginia, ftatedthat
in 1660, Great Britain pafled their navi
gation ast, when the foreign trade was
1-4 th of the whole, in 1770 it was leffen
edto 1-6 th.
What is the consequence of our law ?
The foreign tonnage in 1770, was
nearly 1-3 dof the whole.
In 1792, the foreign tonnage was re
duced nearly to i-4th or as 244 to 568.
Thi« being the cafe, we have by ourexif
ting laws and industry decreased this pro
portion of the foreign tonnage 1 -6th—
thus has our existing laws done nearly as
much in 2 years for us, as the navigation
laws of Great Britain did for them in 40
years.
Under the existing state of things, Mr.
Smith said, he could not fee the policy of
pulhing regulations to accelerate a progress
already without example.
The fame gentleman said, that the ma
nufactures of Great Britain amount to j 1
millions, and that the proportion to Ame-
Rica, is 1 millions—fay 4 per cent of the
exports of that country : will she give up
her navigation ad for the profits of 4 per
cent on her exports ? Can it be expected
that (he will deviate from a system which
more than 100 years experience has con
firmed the utility of.
With refped to France, Mr. Smith ac
knowledged in warm terms, the obligati
ons this country was under to that, for
the services rendered during the «var. —
France, said he, will be a republic, and as
republicans, they will treat with us on fair
liberal, and reciprocal terms.
Mr. Smith concluded by reading the
following comparative statement:—
England.
ift. American (hips ift. Briulh (hips pay
pay no mere duty of in her ports 44 cents
tonnage in her ports duty of tonnage more
than her own pay, but than ber own (hips
they pay 1/9 sterling, pay.
or 39 cents extra for
lights(except in the port
of London) where ail
pay alike.
2d. The ships of A- 2.1. AH poods im
mcrica carry freely to ported in Biiufhfhips
Great-Britain the pre- to the United States,
duce of the United pay 10 per cent, addi-
States (whe«e her own tion on the duties paid
(hips «rc permitted) & when imported in her
pay the fame duty own (hips, which a
(hereon that is paid by mount almost to the
the lhips of Great- whole freight on an as-
Briuin. fortcd cargo of Biitifti
manufactures.
3d. AH trade in A- 3d. America has no
merican fhios 10 the Colonies, (lie fupplics
Bntifh Weit-Indies, is the British Weft-India
prohibited, CXCCpt in Inlands with 45,000
times (such as the pre- barrels flour per ann.
sent) of war, and parti- Shall we risque this ad
cular scarcity. vantage, brcjufe they
will not let us employ
1 2 brigs to carry it ?
4th. The trade to 4th. America has no
the British Eaft-Jndies Eatl-India feiilements.
is free for Americans,
they enter and fell free
ly there, as well their
cargoes as (hips, when
even Britifli ships are
prohibited.
sth. American (hip- sth. British
ping can carry no so- permitted to bi ing
reign aiticle to Great- goods of every country
Britain, nor any thing to t he United States;
except her own pio- but then they are sub
duct; they cannot car- j e st t o an additional
ry any ot her manufac- d*ty of 10 per cent, on
lures, except pot and t h c duty paid on goods
pearl ashes, pig and bar imported in our own
iron—which articles are ships, which in almost
free from duty. all cases amounts to a
prohibition ; her cop
per, tin, lead, and some
% other grofsarticles, pay
no duty.
6th. Great-Britain 6th. America admits
admns from America nothing free ©f duty
free of dutv, plank, pot from Great-Britain,
and pearl alhes, bar and that is not equally free
pig iron,when (he char- from all other coun
ges a duiy on the fame tries.
articles from other na-
rions, equal in Tome in-
fbnccs to a full freight.
which enables America
»o- trmfpATi such bulky
articles on equal terms;
fre charge iper lb.
on American tobacco,
and oo all other.
(Toh Continued\)
Foreign Intelligence.
The following intelligence it tranjlated from
Leyden Gazettes, received at Baltimore
from Amjlerdam.
MANHEIM, (Germany) October 22.
Since the 14th inft. the Prussian army,
which by its movements contributed to
the success of General Wurmfer, and the
Prince of Waldeck, remains in a state of
tranquility, and we no longer hear the
npife of cannon from the fide of the Blife
and Sarrie.
The head quarters of the Duke of Brunf
wick, on the 17th infl. were at La Ver
rerie de Maftall near Rifhoflen. The
French occupied the environs of Flamn
berg, and it is said sent part of their for
ces towards Saralbe and Bouquenon. To
the latter place the members of the dif
trift of Buche have transferred their fef
fioni.
LEYDEN, Nov. i.
A letter from Bruflels, dated the 28th
ult. informs, that the French, to make a
diversion in favor of the grand army com
manded by General Jourdon, made a
grand attack on the whole cordon, of the
allied forces, from Tournay to the sea.
Early on the morning of the Z2d ult. a
column of French troops, fiom fix to se
ven thousand strong, composed partly of
the garrison of Dunkirk and of the troops
which occupied the entrenched camp of
Gyvelde, advanced towards Funics, with
a tram of heavy cannon and mortars, with
an intention to force that place: The
garrison amounting to upwards of two
thousand men, composed of Auftrians,
Hessians, and French emigrants, marched
out in order of battle to engage the ene
my, and a bloody action commenccd, in
which both parties often had recourse to
the deilrwftive bayonet; but, after the
greatest efforts of bravery, the allied for
ces were forced to yield to the superior
numbers of the French who entered pell
mell with them into Furnes, in the streets
of which place they again /ought for some
time. Our troops, surrounded on all
fides, succeeded in forcing their way thro'
the enemy's battalions, and made their
retreat to Nieuport, though continually
harraffed. The French, elated by this
advantage, immediately marched against
Nieuport, with some pieces of heavy can
non and four mortars. General Hoche,
who commanded the French on this ex
pedition, sent the following remarkable
summons to the inhabitants of Nieupoit
—" I summon you to surrender immedi
ately to the arms of the French Republic,
before which all (horJd yield; and I re
quire that lix hostages, the most eminent
persons in your city, mltantly give them
selves up at my camp; otherwise, sur
rounded, attacked by sea and land, your
city will be destroyed ; I will enter on the
fmoaking ruins of your hoiifes and the
panting wrecks of your numbers: Let
the example of Furnes teach you not to
depend on your defenders, who calumni
ate because we beat them." Tin magis
trates of Nieuport, not terrified at rodo
montade, simply answered, that it was to
the military commandant he Ihould have
addrelTed himfelf, and not to them. On
this refufal, the French began to throw
in (hells and bullets, which much dama
ged the city : Then the garrison determi
ned to open the sluices and inundate the
surrounding country, which they did with
such success, that the enemy were obliged
to retire with precipitation that they had
not time to carry off two twenty-four
pounders which they planted in a batte
ry. In the mean time, on the firft intel
ligence of this invasion which reached
Oftend, four English regiments, who were
ready to embark, and a part of the gar
rison, made a movement to succour Nieu
port.
America.
A second column of French advanced
against our posts at Werwyek and Mou
corn, which theyattacked with the great eft
vivacity ; After a most murdering engage
ment, our troops retreated, abandoning
some pieces of dismounted cannon. The
enemy entered Menin on the 23d of Oft.
and the garrison retired to Wevelghem,
by the Icontrary road, where thev were
attacked on the 24th, b"' f u ' ; h 4
vigorous defjace as obliged the French to
retire.
While this palled toward* Weft-Flan
ders, the French, who occupied the camp
of La Magdelaine, under Lisle, advanced
with a large train of artillery towards De
nain, Marchienn«s, and Orchies, which
they attacked very brifldy at the fame
time : They were repu'.fed every where
but at Marchiennes, which they got pof
fefiion of; but the allied troops, encamp
ed at Ciofing,having advanced on the ene
my, a most bloody battle commenced,
which ended in the precipetate retreat of
the French, whom our troops pursued for
a considerable time. We have no certain
accounts of the lofTes sustained by both
parties in three different engagements;
but we know, positively, that the enemy
have severely fuffered, and that, on our
fide, we have also 101 l many men.
As soon as our Generals received advice
of the enemy's progress in Flandeis, the
Duke of York?at the head of the English
army, advanced by party marches to the
relief of that part of our frontier.
Whale they fought so obstinately in
Flanders, our troops in Hainult weie not
less active. General Jourdon having (hewn
by his movements that he projected an en
terprize against Quefnoy, the Prince of
Sax Cobourg advanced, on that fide, to
watch the enemy, and eftablilhed his head
quarters at Bermerain. On the 23d, Ge
neral Ferrand left Maubeuge, at the head
of fix thousand men, with a design to at
tack the wood of Tileul, where our troops
held several important polls. On this oc
casion a very long and obstinate battle w?s
fought, the victory was long doubtful, but
at last the French were rcpulfed with
great loli ; ours was not considerable.
Yesterday morning a courier arrived
here, who brings intelligence of a great
advantage being gained by General Clair
fait, over a body of French troops, who
were furroundcd in the sorest of Boucluiu.