Amendments to the Constitution, [8 June] 1789 — reading text

cents per lb. 94 DEBATES Mr. Carroll A. 1789. Moved to infert window and other glafs, a manufaflure of this article was begun in Maryland, and attended with confiderable I'uccefs, if the legiflature was to grant a fmall encouragement it would be permanently eftablifhed, the materials were to be found in the country, in fufficient quantities to anfwer the moil cxtenfive demand. A defukory converfation arofe in the committee refpe<5t- ing the propriety of receiving the motion at this time, when it was agreed to add on all window and other glafs, except black quart bottles, 10 per cent, ad valorem. Mr. Clymer Informed the hcufe, of the ftate of the paper-mills in Pennfylvania ; they v/ere fo numerous as to be able to fup- ply a very extenfive demand, in that and the neighbouring Hates; they annually produce about 70,000 reams of vari- ous kinds, whi'.h is ibid as cheap as it can be imported. This manufacture certainly is an important one, and having grownup under legiflative encouragement, it will be wife ro continue it. Thereupon it was agreed to lay an impoll of 7 i per cent, ad valorem, on blank books, writmg, printing and wrapping paper, and pafte-board ; the fame without debate was laid upon canes, walking-flicks, whips, cloathing ready made, on gold, filver and plated ware, and on jev/ellery and palle work. Upon all cabinet ware, but- tons of metal, faddles, glo\'es of leather, all hats of beaver fur, wool or mixture of either, all millinary, caftings of iron, or (lit, or rolled iron, all leather tanned, or tawed, or manufactures thereof, except fuch as are othervvife rated. On every coach, chariot, or other four-wheel carriage, and on every chaife, folo, or other two-wheel carriage, or parts thereof, 15 per cen. ad valorem. The committee rofe and the Speaker having taken the chair, a letter from the Senate, communicating a report of a joint committee, agreed to by the Senate, refpecting the appointment of Chaplains, and the mode of conducting con- ferences —alfo an appointment of a committee to confer with a committee of the hcufe on an eligible mode of con- veying bills, papers, and mefl'ages. The houfe concurred in the report of the joint committee, and appointed a com- Riittee to confer on the fubjcft propofed. — Adjourned. April 18. The houfe met purfuant to adjournment. Mr. White reported from the committee of elections, that the credentials of the members were fufficient to en- title them to take their feats in this hotife.  A. 1789. Of C O N G R E S S. ^^ Mr. Lavvrance pre{ented a petition from the mechanics and manufacturers of the city of New- York, fetting forth, that in the prefent deplorable Hate of trade and manufac- tures, they, look with confidence for tlie reftoration of both from the adminiftration of the New Government, and ex- pert that rehef which they have fo long and anxioufly de- lired, from the protection and lupport of the national Legiflature. Ordered, That the petition be referred to the commit- tee of the whole on the itate of the union. Mr. Clymer i-eported from the committee on Mr. Smith's (of South Carolina) cafe, which was ordered to lie on the table. In committee of the whole on the flate of the union, Mr. Page in- the chair. On motion of Mr. Sherman, nut- megs, cinnamon, railins, figs, currants and almonds were ftruck out. On motion of Mr. Goodhue, anchors at feven and half per cent ad valorem, was added. Mr. Ames Introduced Vv'ool-cards, with obferving, that they were manufaftured to the eailward as good and as cheap as the imported ones. Mr. Clymer Mentioned, that in the Itate of Pennfylvania, the manu- fafture was carried to great perfection, and enough could be furnillied to fupply the demand. A duty of 50 cents per dozen was impolcd on wool-cards. On wrought tin ware feven and half per centum ad va- lorem, on every quintal of filh 50 cents, and on every bar- rel of pickled filh 75 cents. Mr. FiTZsiMONs Moved the following *' on all teas imported from China or India, in ihips built in the United States, and belonging wholly to a citizen or citizens thereof, as follows: On bo- hea tea per pound, 6 cents ; on all fouchong and other black leas, 10 cents; on fuperior green teas, 20 cents ; on all other teas, 10 cents. On all teas imported from any other country or from India or China, in Ihips which are not the property of a citizen or citizens of the United States, as follows : on bohca tea per pound, 10 cents fouchong and other black ; teas, 15 cents; on fuj-erior green teas, 30 cents j oil all other green teas 18 cents per pound. ^6 DEBATES A. 1789. Mr. FiTZsiMoNs Supported the motion, by obferv'ing, that one etTecL of the late glorious revolution was, to deprive the nierchanrs of America of moft of the channels of commerce which they had before purfued ; this circurnftauce obliged them to fearch for other fources to employ their veflcls in ; it had been difcovered that a pretty lucrative trade could be car- ried on with the countries in the eait, the merchants have gone largely into it, and it at prelent gives employment to Ibme thoufand tons of American Ihipping and feamen our ; fuccefs has been fo great, as to excite the jealoui'y of Eu- rope, and nothing is left undone to cramp or prevent our commercial operations in that quarter. The legiflature of Pennfylvania, impreiTed witli the importance of the fub- je6t, had granted it aid, by difcriminating in the manner he propofed to the committee and with the like aid from the • government of the United States, the merchants niay no longer fear the machinations of the opulent companies in Europe, who are unwilling to lee us partake of a trade they lo long have had a monopoly of. Already the trade to In- dia has a very happy efFecT: in favour of the inhabitants, by reducing- commodities broucrht from thence to one lialf of their former price, and yet a iuiilcieni proiit is left to ena- ble thofe concerned to carry it on with advantage. Mr. Madison Felt a reludance in being obliged to ftate his reafons u hy he doubted the policy of the propofed meafure. W hat, faid he, is its objed ? It is not to add to the revenue, for it will in fad: tend to diminilli it, in that proportion, which the importation from China lelTens that from other parts ; it is not to encreafe our commerce, for long voyages are unfriendly to it ; it is not to encreale the importation of neceflary articles, for India goods are moftly articles of lux- ury ; it is not to carry olF our fuperfluities, for thefe arti- cles are paid for principally, if not altogether, in folid coin. If the trade is beneficial at all to the United States, it muft be in this fmgle point of view that the articles can : be imported cheaper through that channel than any oiher ; and if lo, that it is the interelt of the people to be fuppli- ed as cheap as pofTible. There are no collateral good pur- pofes to claim our attention in this cafe ; it is not in the nature of things that we ihould derive any other advantage than the one 1 have mentioned, without it is that of raifmg our India commerce from its weak and infant ftate, to A. 1789. Of C O N G R E S S. 97 Trren'Tth and vigour ; enable it to continue fnprVes at to a cheaper rate than they could otherwilti be obtains. :i::. .' Mr. Goodhue Rephed to Mr. Madifon's obfervations, refpecling the mode of paying for India goods,, by informing the conunit- tee, that very confiderable quantities of ginfeng, naval ilores, lumber and provifions were linpped ; other articles wer-e fent alfo, and diipofed of at ports on ihisfide of Chi- na, in order to procure the moii fuirable cargo ; lb that we do not pay principally for their commodities in folid coin, but do fend oft" fuperflui ties to a confiderable amount, much more than if we were to procure our teas and nankeens from any part of Europe. Mr. Madison Had not made the objec]:ion merely becaufe the fpecie was exported, but to ihew that it did not bring in an equivalent, as the goods were nioilly of that kind which are termed luxuries. Mr. BouDiNOT Declared himfelf a friend to the Indian commerce. He thought it encouraged the employment of ihipping and en- creafed our feamen ;he knew its advantages to agriculture. The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Madifon) iuopoled but litrle of our productions lent in exchange for India goods; but our beef, pork, flour and wheat v%as ihipped for this purpofe, not to China, yet to ports where proper cargoes were taken in to anfwer the trade. Encouragement and protection v.ere necefTary to prevent the large companies in Europe from underfelling our merchants, which they would readily do at confiderable lofs, if they could in con- fequence put a Hop to our trade. He hoped therefore the committee would not helitate in adopting the motion. The motion was adopted accordingly. On coal per bulhel Mr. Bland Informed the committee, that there were mines opened in Virginia capable of fu{)plyin{r the whole of the United States, and if fome reftraint was laid on importation cf fo- reign coal, ihofe mines miaht be worked to advantage He thought it needlefs to infill upon the advantages refult- ing from a colliery, as a fupply for culinary and mechanic purpofes, and as a nurfery to train up feamen for a navy. He moved 3 cents per bulhel. N  : 58 DEBATES Mr. Hartley A. 1789. Was willing to to admit a moderate duty, but thought 3 cents would be a great difcouragement to thofe manutac- tures which necelTarily conlume large quantities of fuel. He moved 1 cerjt. Mr. Parker Said that a lefs fum than 3 ceius would not anfwer the purpole intended. Coal came from England as ballad, and was lold fo low, as almoft to prevent the woriiing of their mines in Virginia He hoped, if the committee were dif- pofed to encourage them, they would proportion the mean to the end ; a duty of i cent would be vain, nothing under what was moved by his colleague (Mr. Bland) could anfwer the purpofe. He hoped therefore the committee would agree to 3 cents. On the queftion, there appeared a majority in favour of 3 cents. After which the committee role, and the houfe adjourned. April 20. Two other members, viz. Abraham Baldwin, and James Jackfon, from Georgia, appeared and took their feats. Mr. Tucker reported from the committee to whom was referred the petitions of John Churchman and David Kam- fay, that the committee had, according to order, had the faid petitions under their confideration, and agreed 10 a re- port thereupon, which he delivered in at the clerk^s table, where the fame was twice read, and debated by claufes. The firll claufe in the words following, viz, '' Ihat the committee have conferred with Mr. Churchman, and find that he has made many calculations which tend to eUHbliih his polition, that there are