adhered to, that he had prepared an additional lift
cf articles, which he asked leave to read and lay
cn the table, that they might form part of the
Svltem which should finally be adopted. Mhe gen
tleman observed, in the course of his speech, that
the encouragement of the manufactures of our
own country, was doubtless an object with the
Hon. Kouf'e, and this was connected with the lay
ii r proper restrictions on foreign articles. The
Hon. Gentleman's addition follows, viz.
\ Beer, alt, porter, beij, pork, butter, candles oj all kinds, chcefe,foap,
n d j malt, nails, paper, blank books, cabinet wares, cables, cordage,
fait, manufaßured tobatco, fnvjf, ironmongery, hats, millenary, tanned
leather, Jims and carriages.]
Mr. Whits observed, that as thefeafonwas ad
vancd, and entering fully into the consideration
of the several branches of the fubjecc, would polfi
bly protract the debates, foas.to defeat the origin
al clefign ; and as the prelent lituation of the ma
nufactures of our country was not fully known to
him, and perhaps to many other gentlemen, he
was opposed to an incorporation of the additional
articles with thole at firll; proposed, for the present.
Mr. Thacher proposed, that the blank annex
ed to the article " Rum" should be filled up with
I 5 90ths of a dollar.
Mr. I Uckfr, in a speech of confiderablelength,
opposed a sudden decision upon the subject, as the
House was not full, the members from Georgia and
South Carolina, liimfelf excepted, were abfent,and
in the article to which it was now proposed to have
a duty affixed, tliofe States were as much interest
ed as perhaps any State in the Union. The gen
tleman represented his own situation |as peculiar,
being the only member from the southward of Vir
ginia, and that he should be obliged, in this state
of the business, to give his negative upon the ques
tion should it be precipitated ; but were his col
leagues present, whatever his sentiments now were,
he might then be disposed to adopt a different opi
nion. More particularly, he v/as not prepared to
form a judgment upon that part of the resolve,
which referred to a duty on flapping of various
descriptions : 1 his was a particularly critical to
pick, about which gentlemen had very much dif
fered; and that without conf'ulting his colleagues
in the delegation, he should not poflels confidence
enough in his own judgement to decide affirma
tively upon a queilion offo great magnitude.
Mr. Hartly, in a short address, advocated the
additional articles proposed by Mr. Fitzfimons.
Mr. Madison, in a speech of considerable length,
entered into the subject of Commerce—its restric
tions, &c. with respect to the resolve before the
committee, Jiis design was to have proposed a tem
porary lyftem ; he however perceived gentlemen
were much divided—he conceived that very pow
erful motives existed, to induce the adoption of a
plcn that should come into immediate operation.
He admitted there was force in the observations
of the Hon. Gentleman from South-Carolina, but
that national objects were paramount to all lo
cal considerations. The Hon. Gentleman appeared
to reprobate exceflive restrictions, or impositions
on commerce as impolitic and unproductive. With
respect to the discrimination upon the fubje«fk of
tonnage, ir was made upon principles of the belt
policy. Mr. Maddison agreedwitli the Hon. Mr.
1 itzsimons, that fpecifick duties oil particular
articles, was the most eligible mode of laying an
impost. He remarked that some of the articles
proposed, had reference to the encouragement
of oar own manufactures. How far the commit
tee was prepared to determine upon this part of
the buiinefs, he could not fay, but he confideretl
it as abufinefs that ought to be deferred for the
prelent. Mr. Maddison spoke low. we were not
mthe most favourable situation to hear, and there
fore could not follow that gentleman through a
which we are informed discovered great
theoretical knowledge of the general subjects of
difcuifion.
Mr. Boudi not made some general observations,
pei tinent to the subject, and concluded by enquir-
Why the article of glass was not included, as
there are several manufactories of that article al
ready established in the country.
Mr. F itzsimons and some other gentlemen ad
ded a few more observations, when, on motion of
Lee, the committee rose, and the lioufe ad
journed.
Fa id at, April to.
he House met and adjourned without doing;
Pulinefs. 6
T , , Saturday, April u.
Ie house aTembled agreeably to adjournment.
.i ( P-t.tion from the tradesmen, manufacturers, and others, of
own of Baltimore, was presented by Mr Smith, and referred
* ecommitte of the whole house.
lie oufc then resolved itfelf into a committee of the whole.
* r - * AG£ in the chair.
i.u "tderof the day being called for by Mr. Sherman.
' o °dnue moved, that an addition to the lill of articles al-
VJ/ ' cnum erated in the resolve, might be made by the following,
which"v woo '" cari ' s i wiought tin-ware, limes and lemons
lie a'" aro^r ' ma de a motion, that a feleft committee
intoV ,rV tn ta * e important business ot a fyflcm of revenue
Mo conf,deration,_ p re p are a bil , „ nd .
order ' a,r J nan upon this, observed, that the motion was not in
vvasa'nr/* ClO , was then in a committee of the whole. It
'hflor-,k^' OU r t ' U on whether that committee should rife and
Upon I " C ' he Chalr '
">od moved iL' ' hC S cn, Jeman varied his motion by an amendment,
• e committee report, rife, and the fpealier resume the
than', and then that the aforefaid committee be chofcn, —the gen
tleman enforced the propriety of his motion with observations of
conlidcrjble length ; but his voice was io low, that it was impofli
ble to hear him diflinCtly, so as to continue a connection. Mr.
Soudi not in a lengthy address combated the idea of Mr. Par
ker» He was in favour of an immediate, but temporary system;
—as an attempt to fcrm a permanent plan involved an enquiry
whioh comprised a great variety of particulars, that the present ob
jeCt would not adijiit of: It would be neceflary he observed io ob
tain information from various sources, viz, with respeCt to the
afrual imports of the feveraj Hates. 2dly The produce of the im
ports realized upon their amount in the refpe&ive governments.
3d. Communications from the mercantile interests through the
union without the Ipecies of information to be derived from the
last-mentioned source—gentlemen mull be that very essen
tial errors might be committed.
A permanent system also included the idea of framing suitable
provisions for the collection of the duties, which Opened a field
wide and complicated.
To obviate these difficulties, the gentleman proposed that a Am
ple temporary system should be adopted—that the mode of collec
tion (hould be conformable to the laws already extant in the seve
ral Hates for that purpose; in those Hates where no such laws had
fxifted, those of the next Hate should be adopted. Col. Bland,
rose next. He was likewifc opposed to the motion of the Hon.
Mr. Parker, —as involving the idea of permanency: —He there
fore proposed, that the gentleman {hould withdraw his motion,
in which cafe he was prepared io introduce a rcfolve which in his
opinion would expedite the business before the committee, which
was, that it should now be determined, whether the System should
be a temporary, or a permanent one. A previous resolution of this
kind, the Col. observed, wonld relieve the minds of many gentle
men, who in that cafe, would be prepared for filling up the blanks.
Mr. Parker, however, did not fee proper to withdraw his mo
tion, but rc-inforced it with additional observations.
Mr. Maddison was opposed to Mr. Parker's motion. He said,
that as the Committee had made some prugrefs in the business now
nder consideration, and gentlemen appeared to be principally di
vided as to the expediency of a temporary or permanent System. It
would in his opinion rather protraCt than expedite decisions, to
throw back upon a feleCl committee the investigation of the subjeCt,
cfpecially as it was certain, that the fame enquiries might now be
made, with facility, which would arise after a leleCt committee had
prepared a draught to submit to the consideration of the whole. He
was therefore opposed to the rising of the Committee.
Several other gentlemen spoke upon the question, but on a divi
sion of the house it was finally loft.
This motion being negatived, Col. Bland's proportion respeCt
ing taking the sense of the Committee, whether }he System ihould
be temporary, was taken up.
Mr. Thachkr observed, that it was impoflible to determine with
lccurracy, as to the duration of a System, before it was formed—
when onee completed, the House could give as long, and as lhort
• period fur operation, as should appear most eligible. Should the
System appear to be good, no person would wiih it a temporary ex
istence : Should it not prove salutary, no afligned date for its ger
mination would warrant its being continued beyond experience of
its beneficial efleCts. He was tberefore for leaving the period to an
alter consideration.
Mr. Boudinot was in favour of the temporary resolve of Col.
island, as on the contrary lentiment, the bill to be framed mult go
.0 making provision for the collection of the duties, as also to a con
:inental Judicial System, an objeCl of such magnitude, as would pre
lude any decisive measures till such time as willentirely disappoint
ill our expectations of the immediate advantages that would result
rom a temporary system, which the gentleman observed, might be
matured in two or three days.
Mr. Maddison, Mr. Lee, and other gentlemen spoke upon the
motion, which was finally withdrawn.
Mr. Maddison then brought forward a motion to thts effeCt',—
That it is the opinion of this Committee, that a Committee of the
House ought to be appointed to prepare the draught of a Bill to re
gulate the collection of Duties 011 Impolls and Tonnage within the
United States. This motion was adopted.
On motion of Mr. Lee, it was resolved, to proceed in filling up
he articles in the original resolution.
Mr. Maddison proposed of a dollar on Rum.
Mr. Sherman, as an amendment, proposed cents.
Another gentleman proposed 10 cents; but without thequeftion's
,)eing put, the Committee, moved for by Mr. Maddifon, was elcCt
:d, and confilled of a member from eacft State.
Adjourned to Monday, n olclock.
, Monday, April 13, 1789.
The House met agreeably to adjournment.
The additional Rules and Orders reported by the Committeeap
pointed for that purpose, were taken into consideration—some of
•hem amended and accepted—others recommitted.
A {landing Committee of Elections is enjoined by one of these
Rules—and accordingly the House appointea this Committee, which
:onfifls of Mr. Clymer, Mr. Amis, Mr. Benson,Mr. Hunting
ton, Mr. Carrol, Mr. White, and Mr. Oilman.
A Committee was also appointed to confer with the Committee
if the Senate, upon the subjeCt of arrangements for the reception of
he Prciident and Vice-President, and consisted of Mr. Sherman,
Mr. P. Muhlenburc, Mr. Be nson, and Mr. Griffin.
Mr. Burke presented a petition from the Shipwrights of South-
Caroline, praying the attention ot Congress to their situation, and
hat a Navigation ACt might be paded in favour of American vef
els^—this was referred to a Committee of the whole.
Adjourned. . ..
TuesdaV, April 14.
Met agreeable to adjournment.
A Bill for regulating the manner of taking the oath prescribed by
the Constitution, was read the firft time.
The articles of the additional rules,which were recommitted yef
icrrlay, were read as amended by the Committe and accepted.
Order of the day being called for, the House went into a Com
mittee of the whole.
Mr. Pace in the Chair.
Mr. Lawrence proposed that for the article of rum in the re
solve before the Committe, ardent jpints, Jamaica proof, should be
substituted; this was afterwards changed todijlilllea spirits, Jamaica
proof\ as it now Hands.
Mr. Bland, after adverting to a temporary system, as the most
eligible, enforced the idea upon the impropriety of taxing several
articles in the resolve, which were absolutely eflential to the for
mation of many species of tools made use of by our manufacturers ;
and in order that Congress might have time, properly to discrimi
nate between the articles, and form a compleat and permanent
system, he introduced a motion to this effeCt, That Congress pass
a law, authorizing and establishing the collection of impost thro'
the slates, agreeably to the revenue laws extant in the several go
vernments, and that the officers be fubjeCl to the fame regulations
and penalties.
Mr. Floyd observed, that the subjeCt naturally divided itfelf
intotwo parts, general and fbecified articles : The latter were too
num rous, he conceived, to be taken up collectively: The question
was, How (hall we discriminate ? he would pro pole therefore, to
expedite the business, that the articles lhould be taken individually,
and determined upon—and if gentlemen would bring the question
to this iflue, whether, considering the particular situation of the
country, it would be advifeable thus to tax the respeCtive articles ?
A proper distinCtion would be made, and the business brought to
a speedy determination.
Mr. Boudinot seconded the motion of Mr. Bland.
Mr. Maddison objeCted to its introduction, as not being inorder.
Col. Bland observed, that the present objeCt of the Committee,
a permanent system, would in all probability subjeCt the States to a
lois ot two or three hundred thousand pounds.
The Chairman obfcrvirig that he confidetecf the motion aS hot in
order. It was withdrawn by M/. Bland.
Mr. La wrfenc e, upon the iubjeft of filling tip blanks* pro
posed twelve cents to fill that ann.xed to dilhllcd spirits, Jamaica
proof ! He obfenred, that low duties would be inore certainly col
lected, as experience had verified> that htgh duties held out power
ul temptations to Smuggling—rendered a more vigourous mods
of collection necdTary, which again was proportiona-bly expen
sive, and eventually dtinimfhed tlie produce of the revenue, belo ./
he amount of modei ate daiies.
Mr. Fitesi mons was in favour of 15 cents.
Mr. Maddison proposed 10 cents.
Mr. Boudikot 15j which was finally voted, and 12 cents pr*.
gallon 011 all other spirits.
Upon the article of molalTes, Mr. Lawrence proposed two
cents pr. gallon.
Mr. Maddison eight cents pr/ gollom
Mr. Parker made some observations which we could not dif-*
tinetly hear.
Mr. Lawlence observed, that two cents were in his opinion*
juite high enough, in proportion to the prime colt, the precon
ceived ideas of the duty on that article* and its being a raw mate
rial, the basis of an eXtensive manufacture.
Mr. Maddison continued, however, in favour of eight cents,
and made some allusions to the pernicious affeCts resulting frorri the
Life of fpiritous liquors:—'He reprobated the idea of a draw-back, ag
opening a door to various species of fraud.
Mr. FitElimons was alio in favour of eight cents, —upon fimilat
priilciples.
Mr. Goodhuf., was totally oppdfed to so high a duty, which
amounted to nearly 50 pr. cent:—He observed, that the importa
tion of molaHes was an important branch of comm,erce and prin
cipally to the Ealtern Hates; that independent of ts being a great
article of manufacture, it was used by many persons as a necdlary
of life, being a fubftitue for sugar, and mixed with water, for
beer: That lo high a duty would operate injuriously towards a
very numerous class of people; besides being attended with the
most pernicious confcqucuces to the navigation and fifhery of the
ealtern states.
Mr. Maddison observed, that if the duty on molafTes<was to
be complained of, where that was used in lieu of sugar, the duty
on sugar would be a counter balance to it.
Mr. Clymer, in support of an high duty, introduced the po-*
licy of discouraging the use of fpiritous and encouraging that of
malt liquors.
Mr. Ame* combated the laying so high a duty, as it was beyond
the ratio that gentlemen could poflibly think eligible as a general
idea, —as it operated as a tax upon a raw material, which proved
to some 01 the states a very important branch of manufactures;
as it would llnke a mortal blow to this manufacture—prove highly
injurious to the eastern fifheries and to their navigation, which
was very extensively employed by this business : Molasses was a
meer refule article in the islands, tho* valuable to us ; the refufe of
our fifh and lumber were the great remittances for it; when im
ported and manufaCtnred* from thecheapnefs at M.hich it could be
afforded, it forced a sale even in the British islands. It was the
ostensible design of gentlemen* to raifea revenue—this exceflive du-t
ty would annihilatean extensive fourceof revenue : It would prove
suddenly destruCtive to great property appropriated to that business,
and effeCtuelly destroy a very important manufacture; for these rea
sons (and for mr.nyotncrs, which Mr. Ames offered,but which time
will not permit us to tranfcribej he was decidedly opposed to so
high a duty. ♦
Mr. Maddison proposed to amend his motion by making the
duty seven cents.
Mr. Partridge, Mr. Boudinot and Mr. Fitzsimons, fe
derally spoke upon the lubjeCt—when the vote being called for*
the duty on molafTes was laid at fix cents pr. gallon.
On Madeira wine, cents pr. gallon.
On all other wines, 20 cents pr. gallon.
On brown sugar, at one cent pr. lb.
On loaf f"ugar, three cents pr. lb.
On all other sugars, one and half cent pr. lb.
Cn coffee, two and half cents pr. lb.
The Committe then rose—The Speaker resumed the
:he House adjourned.
(To be continued.)
A very incompetent judgment only, can be formed upon the
proceedings of Congress thus far : The debates have hitherto been
indefinite and so far, uninteresting. It is the part of true
patriotism to wait patiently the decisiOn of otir civil fathers, when
the publick affairs are in such a train as to present only, a choice of
difficulties.
THE PROGRESS.
Exceflive Duties produce a rigorous collection—
odious revenue Officers—Smuggling—-COMBINA
TION S—lnfurrecl:ions —Treasons— Rebellions—
Civil War—Loss of Constitution— Loss of Freedom.
FUR TRADE.
Thefollozdivr eflnnate of Furs, exported from Canada, in thexears 1786,
1787 and 1788, may perhaps fuggejl to the " POWERS THAT li£"
fume important ideds ; it is authentic.
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