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

two magnetic points which give direction to the needle that upon this docT^rine he has en- ; deavoured to afcertain from a given latitude, and a given variation, what mutt be the longitude of the place and ; having applied his principles to many inftances in Cook's voyages, has found the refult to coriefpond with conlider- able accuracy with the real fact, as far as they could be determined by the reckoning of the Ihip that the object : to which Mr. Churchman's labours are dircded, is coi.fef- fedly of very high importance, and his ideas on the fubjeft appear to be ingenious that with a view of applying them : to praftice, he has contrived a map and a globe, whereby to Ihew the angles which are made by the interiecT:ion of the real and the magnetic meridians in different parts of the earth that he is alfo engaged in conftruftiug tables for de- : termining the longitude at lea upon magnetic principles A. 1789. Of C O N G R E S S. . ^ that the committee are of opinion that fuch efforts deferve encouragement, and that a law Oiould pafs to iecure to Mr. Churchman, for a term of years, the exclufive pecuniary emolument to be derived from the pubUcation of thefe fe- veral inventions," was again read, and on the queftion put thereupon, agreed to by the Houie. The fecond claufe in the words following, viz. ^' With refpecl: to the voyage propofed by JVlr. Churchman to Baf- fin's Bay, the committee are cautious of recommending, in the prefent deranged flate of our finances a precipitate adoption of a meafure which would be attended with con- fiderable expence ; but they are of opinion that at a future day, if Mr. Churchman's principles Ihould be found to fuc- ceed in pradtice, it would be proper to give further encour- agement to his ingenuity," was again read, and on a motion made, ordered to lie on the table. The third claufe in the words following, viz. " On the fubjeft of the petition of Dodor David Ramlay, your ^m- mittee report it as their opinion, that a law ihould pals to fecure to him the exclufive right of pubiilhiug and vend- ing, for a term of years, the two works mentioned in the petition," was read, and on the queition put thereupon, agreed to by the Houfe. On thefe claufes the following debate took place before their final decifion. Mr. Madison I wilh that the committee had llated the expences attend- ing a voyage to Baffin's Bay, for the purpofe of difcovering the caufe cf the magnetic variation as propofed by IVir. Churchman, that the Houfe might be better able to judge of its propriety. Well aware as I am, that public bodies are liable to be affailed by vifionary projeftors, I neverthe- lels wifli to alcertain the probability of the magnetic theory. If there is any confiderable probability that the projefted voyage would be fuccefsful, or throw any valuable light on the dilcovery of longitude, it certainly comports with Uie honor and dignity of government to give it their coun- tenance and fupport. Gentlemen will recollect, that fome of the moll important difcoverics, both in arts and fcieuces, have come forward under very unpromiiing and fulpicious appearances. I am alfo well aware, that the deranged {ituation of our treaiury, would not warrant us in fpending conliderable fums an inconiiderabie fum in vilionary puriuits ; but if will anfwer on^this occafion, and there is a probability of :. i; : DEBATES A. 1789. .caag the Icieijce of navigation, I lee no reaTon againlt Genrle!:;en •who have been on the committee under- i'iutiil the fubject be(i, and they will pleale give the iioule their icniinients. Mr. White Said, that the propofed voyage had nothing to do with the principle of magnetic variation, it was intended to af- certain the caule ; if the principle was true, it could be applied to praclice without knowing the caule which pro- duced it ; therefore the committee had reported in the- luiinner before them. Mr. Burke Underflood from Mr. Churchman^ that it would take a fmall veilel about four months in the fummer time to be in the hifh northern latitudes, attending him in his refearches into the caufe of the magnetic variation. He thcnght Mr. Cliurchman'"s theory ingenious and deferving patronage ; l^ut the voyage to Baliin's Bay was rather prtmaiure. Mr. Page V/iflied the committee to ftate the expence, becaufe he thought the Legiilature ought to allid Mr. Churchman in xhe voyage, if it would not coll: too great a fum. It is trne that the theory can be carried into practice whether the caule is dilcovered or not ; but as the theory depends T5non the caufe, a know]edo;e of tliis would dcmonltrate the truth of the other. Mr. Churchman's lylttm conliits in applying the magnedic variation to the dikovery of Ion- gitude. He lays down two magnetic points, to which the ueedle is attracted, and a magnetic equator, defining the nature of the curves formed by the magneclic meridians, llie periods of revolution of the magnetic points, their courfes, latitudes and longitudes^ their diurnal, monthly, and annual fituation, for any time pait, prefent, or to come, Vvith rules to apply thefe principles and materials to ufe. Mr. Churchman eifablifhes the truth of this theory from calculations,- compared with the aftual cbfcrvatjons made by Capt. Cook and others. Having examined lome of the calculations, he was alloniflied at the furpriling agreement — he fonnd they generally agreed withiri a fev/ miles, and only one cafe where they ditFered more than a degree. If the ufe of this dilcovery was asextenlive as he immagined, and he had every realon to believe it would be I"o, it was certainly a difcovery that would do honor to the American name. He thouoht fome advantage miaht be derived from the projeclfcd voyage, and if the expence did not exceed 5 A. 1789. Of C O N G R E S S. lot or 800 dollars, it might be prolecuted. If government did not lend their aid, he expecled individuals would pa- tronife it, and furniHi the means by fubfcnption. He ex- prefled a willingneis on his part to join in fuch a meafure if the application to the Legiilature was unfuccefsful. Mr, Huntington Dcleniated the lyfi:em alfo, and approved of it ; but thought the voyage would be unfuccefsful, if for nothing elfc for the want of proper inftruments. The ufe of Mr. Churchman's theory depended in a great meafure upon obtaining the magnetic variation with accuracy ; for which purpofe Mr. Churchman contemplated fome improvement on the compais ; if he was fuccefsful in this, the difcovery would no doubt anfwer the object in view. Mr. Sherman Did not think the voyage would be of any help to the gentleman, and therefore ihould agree to the report. Mr. 1 ucxER Expreffed a doubt whether the Legiflature has power, by the Conftitution, to go further in rewarding the inven- tors of ufeful machines, or difcoveries in fciences, than merely to fecure to them for a time the right of making, publifliing and vending them : in the cafe of a doubt, he thought It bell to err on the fafe fide. The Houfe now decided upon the propofitions of the committee, as before Hated, and ordered bills to be brought in, fecuring the right of publifning, &c. of their refpedive works, to John Churchman and David Ramfey. In committee of the whole on the (fate of the union, the following was agreed to. On all other articles, 5 per cent, on their value, at the time and place of importation, except tin in pigs, tin-plates, lead, old pewter, brafs, iron orbrafs v.ire, copper in plates, wool, dying woods and dying drugs, (other than indigo) raw hides, beaver, and all other furs and deer fl-cins. Mr. Fitzfimons propofed a draw-back, of 6 cents per gallon, on all rum diftilled in the United States exported ^^ithout the limits of the fiime. Mr. Madison Aflced if the quantity of rum fo exported was very con- fiderable ? he believed it was not ; and would not for the lake of encouraging that branch of trade, open a door by revenue could be committed, equal to v.'hich frauds on the the whole duty collected. ro2 DEBATES Mr. FiTZsiMoNs A. 1789. Could not fay what quantity of rum was exported in that way but he feared, unlefs a draw-back was allos\ed, it ; would be a great injury to the mannfa(!lure. At the time the duty of 6 cents on molafles was laid, he thought it was underftood, the committee would allow a draw- back on ihc rum exported. There I'eems to be an apprehenfion that the fyltem of draw backs will operate to the difadvantage of the revenue, but he believed a mode could be deviled to prevent frauds, in this cafe, fully as effedtually as on the importation ; if this was not done, it would be time enough for gentlemen to oppofe it ; they would have this oppor- tunity, becaufe a bill, regulating the manner of collection, he prefumed, would pafs at the fame time with the one for levying the duties. Jf draw-backs were not allov^ed, it would be a very confiderable reftraint on commerce, parti- cularly on the India trade, which he believed was likely to be confiderably extended. He vas lorry the gentlemen from Maflachufetts were not there in their place, to give information to the committee refpefting the quantity ex- ported from that (late ; from Pennlylvania the quantitj' was but finall. Mr. Law RANGE Could give no exad; information relative to the quantity of New-York rum exported, but from what he under- ftood, fuppofedit to be about 1000 hogllieads annually it ; was entitled to a drav/-back, and there was no reafon to believe this had been the occafion of frauds on the reve- nue, he fhould agree to the meafure. Mr. Madison Was forry the gentlemen from MalTachufetts were ab- fent, becaufe they could give authentic information with refpedl to the quantity. He had in his hands a Itate of the exports from Maflachufetts, which he believed to be pret- ty accurate, from January i, to December 31, 1787. From this i? appeared, that there was exported during that period, to Nova-Scotia 89 hhds. to Europe 134 hhds. and 897 to Africa and the Eaft-Indies. Now he lubmitted the committee, how far it was proper to adopt a meafure for fuch a trifling confideration, which would become a moft dangerous cover to the clandeiline trade that muft necefTa* rily follow. Rum will, no doubt, be exported in the day * The delegates from that Jiate nvere S'^ne to meet the Fice-Prejident, irpo ivas erpe^ed ifi toivn this day.  A. 1789. Of C O N G R E S S. 103 and brought back in the night, for the fake of drawing back the duty, as has been done ah-eady in fmiilar cafes. Mr. FiTZsiMoNs Contended for dravi -backs generally, but on this article it was particular injuftice to omit it. The nianufafture of rum was of confiderable importance in the eaftern ftates, but it would not be able to Hand a fuccefsful conipetitioa with Wed India rum in foreign countries while loaded with a duty of 6 cents per gallon ; the rax on moIaiTes was that fum, and he looked upon it to be the fame thing as if it had been paid on the rum at diftillation, one gailon of the former