Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

26 ABRIDGMENT OF THE H. OF R.] Tle Tarif Bill. [APRIL, 1824. closed for the last time, and forever, among 17e Tariff Bill. men, before its revolutions commence. But to close my remarks-What, sir, is the real nature The ouse the resumed the consideration of of the bill before us? of this "fearful, fright- the bill for the revision of the several acts layoful bill? " of this 1"stamp act meafsure h ing duties upon imports-the question being on which is to be the precursor, if we are to credit Mr. RANDLPH'S motion for the indefinite postthe honorable gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. poneent oDUFFIE rose and said, the unsolicited RANDOLPH,) who immediately preceded me, of rebellion and revolution? of this " firebrand," indulgence of the House, to which he was inwhich is about to be thrown (not indeed into debted for the opportunity of presenting his the Ottoman empire, but) into a region of spir- views on this interesting subject to-day, instead its infinitely more fiery and formidable than of being compelled to perform that duty yesTurk or Greek-the South? What I demand terday, under the fatigue and exhaustion of a is the real nature-the* pervading spirit-the long sitting, had laid him under obligations of grand design of the bill before us? Sir, the which he was profoundly sensible. The only full front and face of its offending, is this, and return, however, said Mr. McDUFFIE, which I simply this, to secure to American industry, by can promise, for the kindness thus shown to a liberal, progressive, and protective tariff; the me, is the brevity of the remarks which I promonopoly of our own resources —of that vast pose to offer. At so late a stage of this already manufacturing material, which nature, in her protracted discussion, I cannot flatter myself munificence, has everywery e created around with the expectation that I shall interest the us, in immeasurable abundance. attention of the House by the novelty of my us, in immeasurable abundance. usI havenothng urthr toadd butto tankarguments, but must be content to indulge the I have nothing further to add, but to thank ope the House for its indulgence, and apologize for hope that I may not exhaust its patience by having trespassed so long upon its time. their proixity. During the progress of this debate upon the FRIDAY, April 16. - various questions which have arisen upon the African Slave Trade. details of the bill, I have studiously avoided African Slave Twade. entering into the consideration of the general Mr. GovAN, from the committee to which principles and policy of the protecting system. was referred so much of the President's Mes- And I have done so in compliance with this sage as relates to the suppression of the Afri- general rule, by which I have determined to can slave trade, reported a bill respecting the regulate my conduct, so long as I have the slave trade; which was read twice, and com- honor of a seat upon this floor, never to conmitted to a Committee of the Whole. The bill sume the time of the House by discussing any is as follows: question which is not distinctly before it for Be it enacted, &c., That, from and after the pass- consideration. I have the less cause to regret ing of this law, if any citizen of the United States, having thus abstained on the present occasion, or any person resident therein, shall, in any port or because it is now obvious that the subject has place whatsoever, build, or in any respect fit, equip, assumed more than its usual interest, as well man, load, or otherwise prepare, or cause to be pre- from the crisis at which we have arrived, as pared, or in any respect fitted, equipped, manned, or from the peculiar circumstances under which otherwise prepared, or be in any respect concerned the question is now presented to us. In all the in equipping, manning, or preparing any ship or ves- stages of our proceedings we have still sel, for the purpose of being employed in the slave had before us the opportunity of reviewing our trade, or in the transportation of slaves from any for- work. But the question being now on the paseign port or place to any foreign port or place whatsoever, for the purpose aforesaid, every such citizen sage of the bill, whatever decision we shall or other person, so offending, shall, on conviction, be make upon it, will be, as to us, fnal and irrevopunished by fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, cable. And we are called upon to give this and by imprisonment not exceeding seven years; fnal sanction to the measure, with the fact and such ship or vessel, her tackle, apparel, furni- clearly ascertained, that it cannot be adopted ture, provisions, and cargo, on board thereof, shall but by a very small majority. Waiving, for a be forfeited. And any citizen, or other person resi- moment, any inquiry into the policy of protectdent as aforesaid, who shall voluntarily serve on ing domestic manufactures, I put it to gentle board such ship or vessel, or shall sail on board men to say whether prudence does not dictate, thereof, knowing the same to be intended to be em- even to the most firm and independent statesployed in the slave trade, or in the transportation of man, that a measure laying very heavy burdens slaves as aforesaid, shall, on conviction, be liable to upon the whole community-a measure which, be punished by fine not exceeding three thousand we may speculate upon the subject, dollars, and by imprisonment not exceeding five the people must sensibly feel-ameasue which the people must sensibly feel-a measure which years. has lready produced, in some parts of the SEc. 2. And be it further enacted, That nothing in this act contained shall be construed to affect, or Union, the most intense excitement, ought to in anywise repeal, any acts hitherto passed for the be adopted with a bare majority of the national prohibition or suppression of the slave trade; but the representatives in its favor? Sir, a Governsame acts, and every clause thereof, shall remain in ment emanating from the people, and responsifull force, in the same manner as if this act had not ble to public opinion, ought not to be indifferbeen made. ent to this prudential consideration. I do not

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Title: Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.
Author: United States. Congress.
Canvas: Page 26
Publication: New York, [etc.]: D. Appleton and company [etc.]; 1857-61.
Subject terms: United States -- Politics and government

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Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

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