Kave defined at the social and political
chjratt.-rof this country.
He *"_» willing therefor to trust as
mvi :h as pnlESlc to the operation us
cauics wiiitli, whatever they itverr, had
hitfterto, under a fortunate ncgle&, pro
duced and a profperutis train of
th. ij*, which Jpcrtrap* hnnrua contrivance
and fpecufetiw wifdojn haJ never attained
for us. Had they wxxldicd more than
they li ne, th~v might, from the pernici
ous fiaive of i'aura'.ian, applied to a scene
wiitch had r.ct its like upon the globe, have
thwarted that course of tilings, which na
tvi; pomredout, ari.l which has been fuc
de&fuiiy puriueJ. He could notMterefore
fcc( the force of a fyflem hat certainly
ira'int to tamjiei with a condition in which,
« very few things excepted, he felt fatis
fied and grateful. He had dwelt the
longest on the fitneft of ast to
the pe.ent circumllances of this country,
as m, 11 of the argmnents of thole from
v.h.im he differed in opinion, were drawn
from the propriety of adopting something
extremely like one.
But even taking it for granted, which
cannot be admitted, that these relocations
afford on general principles, a well found
ed hope <if relief from commercial and na
vigation rcftraints, h- hid nohefitation in
Ci; «'i j, that the present it the very word
time to try the folidityof the policy It
Was bad, as it related to the chance of i>
war :—ami there was reason to fear tint
no nation uculii at this moment, hold out
preat lommeicial temptations, except as
z coiiinon of joining in the war.
It was bad, as it related to a commer
ce' conteil witii other commercial nations;
for where was tile nation on whom we
could rely under such a derangement of
our trade, as this fvftem defiens ?
An alte.ation so great, in navigation,
I ''bits, employment of capital, and all
foits of commercial views, had been more
rcafoiiible and more pra&icable, if a clear
ceflily for such facrifices could be (hewn;
cr if, in y riding to the force of a juflly
exrittd refmtment against the British for
infill ts offered to our flag, the gentleman
hid given us reason to believe, that the
foiirces of negociation had been firft ex
luuftfd; h'it there still remains a hope,
that negotiation and reflection might re
medy evils, which neither had beea able
to pi event
At all events, the meditated change in
volved interefo to o*)r induftrv, not to be
hazarded 011 mere commercial theory, un
supported by the very last iK'ccflity. It
ins to be expected that any man who
lhou'.d m ike an attempt so serious as the
prefeiit, wojlid have come forward with a
lt.itrrnrnt of advantages to be derived from
the change, so great and so certain, as to
warrant some hazard in the experiment.—
'J hat where he meant to charge the llream
of ccmmc.ce and indnftrv from its piefent
bed, and exclude fupplics of manufac
ture! from one country, he would have
pointed out another channel for its cur
rent, and have told us precisely, the very
n ition fiom whose ports the new supplies
of manufa&ures were to be substituted,
ar.d on what tei ms.
The gentleman who meditated this
thorough change, ought to hive had at
least the outline, of frefh treaties in his
hand, for the old were worth nothing—
he might thus have (hewn us the only
ground of expectation that a nation ought
to calculate on—a view of the interests
of Inch nation with which an accommo
dation of our own might he moulded into
treaty. But no such thing was either
conceived or done—indeed it was imprac
ticable at the present time, and his mea
sures ought to have waited for a proper
time, had they been in other refpe&s a
daptcd to our policy and interests.
Hut even allowing times, and the fet
tled Hate of things abroad to have been
at this moment, such, as to permit this
meafuiement of the sober interests of all,
it would not be useless to enquire (hortly
into the probable ground of treating, fup
poling a treaty for instance with France
to be undertaken in the spirit of those re
foliitibns. He jrould not indulge any of
th;ife romantic expectations which some
fecm to place in the affection of that, or
any other nation on earth : He would
look lieadily at ber inlerejls, in order to
farm r.n opinion of •what Jhe would do—
ami he would ineafuie her interests by her
own fcaW, the opinions (he had ever en
tertained since Ihe became a great maritime
power. Ever Dnce the days of Colbert,
France ha» looked on her Weft-Indie* as
the support of her maritime greatness.—
A jesloufy, equal to *bat of any other
country, had always appeared is her co
lonial fyltem—and a fpirh of monopoly,
which her intereiU, as a maritime power
to i\ie the term, feeined to mlpire.
The republic, by their taavigation ast,
fsem determined to adhere to the colonial
fyltem ; or if they at all relax, it is but
» temporary yielding to transient neciffi
tv rather than a principle of change, intro
duced by either a revolution ot govern
ment,or real and laft'.ng alterations of their
intcrelU. Their interests would be the
fame now as heretofore, and that they
meant to have a powerful marine wa» evi
dent from their navigation act.
He did not believe they would let us
into their Weft India trade freely, except
under circumitances like the prei'ent,
which operated on all alike. Thtv never
did permit a free export fron their iilaads
hut to the mother country, and thence
circuitoufly to others ; by thei'e means,
they were secure both of the carriage and
a cheap supply. Were a treaty now of
fered, giving a free trade to thole islands,
we would think it hazardous to discrimi
nate in their favor on that account. We
fhoiild be suspicious of an offer that flood
on a facrifice of their own interests, and
would not calculate on the permanency of
provilions, which the neceflities of war
and disorder produced, but which never
would long survive those neceflities, which
peace would remove. But there was no
such ofler; nor was now the time to digest
such a business as a treaty, if this were
an offer really made,
He would not then fancifully indulge
himfelf or his conflituents in hopes which
a view of the interests of France ftiowed
him to be fallacious, and he would not in
so serious a question suppose that they,
more than we, would ad steadily on any
other principle than intercjl,—it was the
only immortal principle in the intercourse
of nations ; it may vary its lhape and mo
dification, but never its nature—and it is
the molt ufeful as it contains a perpetual
ilunulus to honest emulation.
Had a detail been entered into by gen
tlemen on the other fide oi those provi
sions which we (hould rightfully expert of
any power, in whose favor discrimination
was intended, our judgements would have
had some employment on tixedand certain
objects ; we might from a correct view of
the benefits and temptation prefented,have
ellimatcd with some precision, though not
with perfeit accuracy, the value of that
gain which such a commutation proinifed;
but at present we were in the dark and
forefaw nothing with certainty — com
merce was to be let loose to be blown to
any quarter of the world, but its certain
direction was not to be counted upon and
could not be forefeen.
It was impofCble he observed to calcu
late the extent of the good and tile evil
but we were certain that there was not a
nation in the world ready and prepared at
present either to receive our advances, or
to supply us with manufactures if these re
solutions succeed. The only country to
which we could look as a substitute to the
British market is at present in a (late so
convulsed and in such a paroxysm of affairs
that from thence we had nothing to ex
pe£t, nor did be think that a treaty of
which he had heard some intimation with
that country, of justice and reciprocity
would suit the United States. Mr. Mur
ray much questioned whether any treaty
with the powers of Europe on perfect re
ciprocity, for instance with mutual duties
of, fay, five per cent, on imports would
suit our situation. Such a one would suit
those nations only in which manufattures
had obtained considerable perfection, but
would be the ruin of our infant manufac
tures which we must and ought oecafional
ly to protest, by duties varied according
to their progreflion and the probability of
the supply from them proving adequate
to our demands.
The effe&s of these resolutions on our
internal affairs immediately, would prove
that they were pernicious and a real tax
without a well founded reason. Tliey
would immediately be perceived in a di
minution of our revenue, in their .opera
tion on the value and price of goods, and
in the redu&ion of the value of our pro
duce and raw materials. The last would
be affe&ed from the discouragement of fo
reign {hipping. The firft from the inabi
lity to bring in foreign manufa&ui es, from
which a duty could be raised, because the
line of trade and correspondence being al
tered, it was impcflible to fay when cr
where the importing merchant woujd be
able to form new connexions abroad, which
were not things of a day or a year, but
required much time and mutual confidence
to mature.
The value of goodi would immediately
rife, and the merchant every where, actu
ated by the fame principle, interefi, which
ought to guide us here, would benefit by
the monopoly of goods to the injury of
the farmer.
The moment these resolutions pass, said
Mr. Murray, there is not a shop or a (lore
in Philadelphia in which every imported
article will not rife in price, fifteen per cent.
while our own produce will probably fall.
But a gentleman from Virginias( Mr. Ni
cholas) wishes to fee retrenchment; he
confeiTed, he saw no rcafon for violent felf
denial. There was no society he belie
ved in the world that could so well afford
to live well, and taite of every rational
and refined enjoyment as the citizens of
this free and happy country. The uni
versal prosperity which this very com
mcrce which is designed to be dellroyed,
diflufes throughout America, jultifies en
joyment. Very natural would it be for
the farmer to enquire the causes of this
sudden rife in the price against him. He
would be told that the British had insult
ed our flag and therefore our system of
felf-denial. Could it be answered that we
had exhausted all the gentle means of ne
gociation, or could any man lay his fin
ger on any country, i.i a map, and fay
we have a certainty that from this conn
tty we shall not only have supplies of
goods, but sure and high prices for our
country produce. This could not be said.
Where there such a country now prepar
ed and ready to fubflitute for our present
connexions, he said he would feel more
juftificd in voting for this change, for he
like every other American, had severely
felt the indignities offered to our flag, and
pods, by the British.
But said Mr. Murray it has been more
than intimated, even in this house that our
country had pursued a pusillanimous con
duct and stood in a humiliating point of
view—He denied it. No country on
earth stood, he believed in a more exalted
ftttion among the nations nor better sup
ported the character of a spirited people.
Could any nation be chargcd with pusilla
nimity that had declared such a neutrality
a> this country did last spring ? At a time
when all the great and formidable powers
in Europe, combining every engine of
immense force and despotism against the
French, were hovering round her borders
and seemed determined to crush her ; at a
time when (he had not one ally on earth,
and no nation received her ministers, the
United States dared to maintain a treaty,
that looked the proudest nations in the
face—They dared to be just, and there
was a magnanimity in venturing so far in
such times, and on so hazardous stipula
tions, that not only rescued them from e
very charge of humiliation, but in his o
pinion, added to the glory of the country
—No, this country was not humbled—
Like a young man of virtuous mind, and
of fortitude, just setting out into life and
business, (he comports herfelf among the
nations with dignified reserve, with amia
ble and innocent manners ; Ihe complies
with her engagements though imminent
dangerovcrhang the performance & brave
ly trusts the consequences to Providence.'
Mr. Murray concluded with observing
that the state of the debate presented no
temptation to discussion as all the points of
relative privileges and reftriftions and the
items of trade had been ably and often
itated. He had concluded that as our
trade does not at present (putting the dis
turbances of war out of the qtieftion) fuf
fcr from many reftri&ions which, when
unacquainted with the fubje<3,he thought
did exist—as some of the existing restric
tions against us belonged to systems, over
which we had no certain controul, and
which it did not suit us to imitate ftriftly;
as the resolutions contemplated a change
without affording a fubllitute in any de
gree, much less to more advantage ; and
as negociation was not yet at an end,from
which he hoped for some redress; as peace
•was his very firjl oljtd, and he believed
I bat of his conjiituents, and asthofe resolu
tions might go to disturb it, and did not
appear to him supported by a certainty of
advantage, though followed, by great
present and certain mifchiefs, he should
vote against them.
(Debate to be continued.)
WINDHAM, (Con.) Feb. 8.
Departed this life at Pomfret, 29th ult.
Doctor Albigekce Wjido, in the44th
year of his age.
NEW THEATRE.
This evening, Feb. 28,
Will be performed,
A COMEDY, called the
JEALOUS WIFE.
Oakly,
Major Oakly, Mr. Whitlock.
Charles, Mr. Moreton.
Ruflett, Mr. Wignell.
Sir Harry Beagle, Mr. Chalmen.
Lord Trinket, Mr. Finch.
Captain O'Cully, Mr. Bates.
William, Mr. Darley,jun.
John, Mr. Warrell.
Tom, Mr. Francis.
Lady Freelove's Servant, Matter Warrell.
Mrs. Oakly, Mrs. Whitlock.
Lady Freelove, Mrs. Shaw.
Harriet, Mrs. Francis.
Toilet, Mrs. Rowfon.
Chambermaid, Miss Willems.
At the end of the Comedy, a new Comic
DANCE, composed by Mr. Francis,
called
The Scheming Clown,
Or, the Sport/man Deceived.
By Mr. Francis, Mr. Darley, jun. and
Mrs. De Marque.
After which, a COMEDY, in 2 A<3s,
called
The L I A R.
Old Wilding, Mr. Whitlock.
Young Wilding Mr. Chalmers.
Sir James Elliot Mr. Cleveland.
Papillion Mr. Finch.
Mils Grantham, Mrs. Francis.
Miss Godfrey, (firft time) Mrs. Cleveland.
Kitty, Mrs. Rowfon.
Boxes, one dollar —Pitt, three quarter!
of a dollar —and Gallery, half a dollar.
*„* As inconvenicncies to the public have
arisen from the Box-book being opened on the
days of performance only, in future attend
ance will be given at the office in the Theatre
every day from ten till one, and on the days
of performance from ten till three o'clock in
the afternoon. Applications for Boxes, it is
rcfpeftfully requested, may be addrefled to
Mr. Franklin, at the Box-Cffice.
The Doors will be opened at 5 o'clock,
and the performances begin at 6 o'clock pre
cisely.
Vt-uat Re/publica.
For SALE,
-""1 The Schooner
NEPTUNE
at Morton's Wharf)
She is a good strong ves
sel, burthen about 500 bar
rels, and fails remarkably
fact. Inventory may be seen on board) or at
the Store of the Subscribers.
Wharton & Lewis.
dtf
Feb. 28, 1794.
PROPOSALS
FOR PUBLISHING BY SUBSCRIPTION,
A Ground Plan
OF THE
City Philadelphia,
AND ITS ENFIRONS:
Taken from aiftual survey, by A. P. Folic,
Geographer, from St. Domingo.
THIS Plan will be engraved on a plate 26
inches square ; and it will contain an ex
act description of all the squares, fttrets and
alleys in the Cilv and I.ib. nies. The lituation
of the several public buildings, luch as the Stale.
H.ufe, City-Hall, Seat of Congress, Churches,
Meeting-Houses, Hospital, Librarv and Semina
ries of Leaminj;-of the several Banks, and of
the Federal and Stale Offices, will be ascertained.
The parts which arc built on will be distinguish
ed from those that are not. The cnurl'es of the
rivulets between Delaware and Schuylkill, and
as much of the Canal, intended to conned the
navigation of these two waters, as lies within
the con.pass of the draught, will be accurately
delineated. It will alio be ornamented by a
view of the (hipping in the hatbor, and an ele
vation of Cofgrefi-Hall, and of thcotber public
buildings that occupy the ground contiguous.
In (Viorl, nothing will be omitted 10 render this
ufcfu 1 and dcfiiable work acceptable to an en
lightened public, that is in the author's power :
and it (bill be complrated with the greatcft
piffihle dispatch, as soon as the generons encou
ragement ol lubfcnbeis Ilia 11 insure to the auihur
such a sum as will be lufiicicnt to dc! ray ex-
pencrs.
A Pamphlet will he delivered with each
Plan, which will contain an alphabetical I.ft r.f
the Suhfcriher* nairre*, and information con
cerning Ihe police, population and prefcnt Dace
ol the city.
The price to (ViMcriber, w j|| be Two Dollars
and one third, to be paid at the lime ol delet
ing the Plans.
Subrcripticos will be gratefully received at
the ptitu/ioal Bo«k'>l>erj iu this city—and the
original Draft may be fceo at B.'Da vim',
No. 68, M.'k't-flrrrt, al any time outil it {hall
be m't inro tfa c bua, of the Engraver.
ffli as It °
Mr. Fennell.