5728. NAVIGATION, Protection of.—
The British attempt, without disguise, to
possess themselves of the carriage of our produce,
and to prohibit our own vessels from
participating of it. This has raised a general
indignation in America. The States see,
however, that their constitutions have provided
no means of counteracting it. They
are, therefore, beginning to invest Congress
with the absolute power of regulating their
commerce, only reserving all revenue arising
from it to the State in which it is levied.
This will consolidate our federal building
very much, and for this we shall be indebted
to the British.—
To Count Van Hogendorp. Washington ed. i, 465.
Ford ed., iv, 104.
(P.
1785)
