The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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SPECIAL MESSAGE TO CONGRESS. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
SPECIAL MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:
The tendency of our commercial and navigation laws, in
their present state, to favor the enemy, and thereby prolong
the war, is more and more developed by experience. Supplies
of the most essential kinds find their way, not only to British
ports and British armies at a distance, but the armies in our
neighborhood, with which our own are contending, derive from
our ports and outlets a subsistence attainable with difficulty,
if at all, from other sources. Even the fleets and troops infesting
our coasts and waters are, by like supplies, accommodated
and encouraged in their predatory and incursive warfare.
Abuses, having a like tendency, take place in our import
trade. British fabrics and products find their way into our
ports, under the name and from the ports of other countries;
and often in British vessels, disguised as neutrals, by false
colors and papers.
To these abuses it may be added, that illegal importations
are openly made, with advantage to the violators of the law,
produced by undervaluations, or other circumstances involved
in the course of the judicial proceedings against them.
It is found, also, that the practice of ransoming is a cover
for collusive captures, and a channel for intelligence advantageous
to the enemy.
To remedy, as much as possible, these evils, I recommend:
That an effectual embargo on exports be immediately
enacted.
That all articles, known to be derived, either not at all, or
in any immaterial degree only, from the productions of any
other country than Great Britain, and particularly the extensive
articles made of wool and cotton materials, and ardent
spirits made from the cane, be expressly and absolutely
prohibited, from whatever port or place, or in whatever
vessels, the same may be brought into the United States;
and that all violations of the non-importation act be subjected
to adequate penalties.
That, among the proofs of the neutral and national character
of foreign vessels, it be required that the masters and
supercargoes, and three-fourths at least of the crews, be citizens
or subjects of the country under whose flag the vessels sail.
That all persons concerned in collusive captures by the
enemy, or in ransoming vessels or their cargoes from the
enemy, be subjected to adequate penalties.
To shorten, as much as possible, the duration of the war,
it is indispensable that the enemy should feel all the pressure
that can be given to it; and the restraints having that tendency,
will be borne with the greater cheerfulness by all good
citizens; as the restraints will affect those most, who are most
ready to sacrifice the interest of their country in pursuit of
their own.
December 9, 1813.
| The writings of James Madison, | |