The duties levied were, however, very moderate, ranging from five to twelve and one-half per cent, with an exception in the case of one article that might be considered a luxury.
The bill as it passed the House discriminated in favor of nations with which the United States had commercial treaties.

That is to say, it favored France and Holland as against Great Britain, which had the bulk of America's foreign trade.

Though Madison insisted on this provision and was supported by a large majority of the House, the Senate would not agree to it.

During the early sessions of Congress the Senate met behind closed doors, a practice which it did not abandon until five years later.

From the accounts of the discussion preserved in Maclay's diary it appears that there was much wrangling.