The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
| II. |
NOTES FOR SPEECH IN THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES
November, 1785.
COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
NOTES FOR SPEECH IN THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES
November, 1785.[49]
COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.
Genl. regl. necessary whether the object be to
counteract foreign plans
encourage ships & seamen
—manufactures
Revenue
frugality. [articles of luxury most easily run from Stateto State]
Embargo's in war—case of Delaware in late war.[50] necessary to prevent contention ams States.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Case of French provinces, Neckar says 23,000 patrols employd.
agst. internal contraband.[51]Case of Massts. & Cont.
Case of N. Y. & N. J.
Pa. & Delaware
Va. & Maryd late regulation
Irish propositions
necessary to Justice & true Policy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Cont & N Hamp:
N. J.
N. C.
Western Country.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Necessary as a system convenient & intelligible to foreigners
trading to U. S. Necessary as within reason of federal constitution,
the regulation of trade being as imposãble by states as
peace, war, ambrs &c.
Treaties of com̃erce ineffectual without it
Safe with regd. to the liberties of the States.
Congs. may be trusted with trade as well as war &c
power of Treaties involve the danger if any—
Controul of States over Congs.
example of amphyctionic league, achean do. Switzerld., Holland,
Germany.peculiar situation of U. S. increase the repellant power of the
States. Essential to preserve fedl. Constitution
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
declension of fedl. Govt.
inadequacy to end, must lead states to substitute some other
policy no institution remaining long when it ceases to be useful, &c.policy of G. B. to weaken union.
1.
2.
3.
Consequences of dissolution of confederacy
Appeal to sword in every petty squabble.
Standing armies beginning with weak & jealous states.
perpetual taxes.
sport of foreign politics.
blast glory of Revolution.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5, 6.
This skeleton of a speech is written, as other speeches are, upon a slip of
paper in a hand so small that parts of it can hardly be deciphered with the
naked eye. An effect of the speech was the adoption by the House of a resolution,
that "an act ought to pass to authorize the delegates of this State in
Congress to give the assent of the State to a general regulation of the Commerce
of the United States, under certain qualifications."
| The writings of James Madison, | |