The Sun.
London, England, 1850-12-18 00:00:00

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS AND ST. DOMINGO.

The treaty between the United States and his Majesty
the King of the Hawaiian Islands, which has recently
been made public, will, it is believed, have a beneficial
effect upon the relations between the two countries.
The relations between the parts of the island of St.
Domingo, which were formerly colonies of Spain and
France, respectively, are still in an unsettled condition.
The proximity of that island to the United States, and
the delicate questions involved in the existing contro-
versy there, render it desirable that it should be perma-
nently and speedily adjusted. The interests of hemanity
and of general commerce also demand this; and, as inti-
mations of the same sentiments have been received from
other Governments, it is hoped that some plan may be
devised to effect the object in a manner likely to give
general satisfaction. The Government of the United
States will not fail, by the exercise of all proper friendly
offices, to put an end to the destructive war which has
raged between the different parts of the island, and to
secure to them both the benefits of peace and commerce.
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the
Treasury for a detailed statement of the finances.
The total receipts into the Treasury, for the year
ending 30th of June last, was forty-seven millions four
hundred and twenty-one thousand seven hundred and
forty-eight dollars and ninety cents (d 0115.47,421,748,90).
The total expenditures during the same period were
forty-three millions two thousand one hundred and sixty-
eight dollars and ninety cents (dolls. 43,002,168 90).
The public debt has been reduced since the last annual
report from the Treasury department four hundred and
ninety-five thousand two hundred and seventy-six dol-
lers and seventy-nine cents (dolls. 495,276 79).
By the 19th section of the Act of 28th of January,
1847, the proceeds of the sales of the public lands were
pledged for the interest and principal of the public debt.
The great amount of those subsequently granted by
Congress for military bounties will, it is believed, very
nearly supply the public demand for several years to
come, and but little reliance can, therefore, be placed on
that hitherto fruitful source of revenue.

Aside from the permanent annual expenditures, which
have necessarily largely increased, a portion of the public
debt, amounting to 8,075,986 dolls. 59e., must be pro-
vided for within the next two fiscal years. It is most
desirable that these accruing demands should be mot
without resorting to new loans.
THE TARIFF QUESTION.

All experience has demonstrated the wisdom end
policy of raising a large portion of revenue, for the sup-
port of Government, from duties on goods imported. The
power to levy those duties is unquestionable, and its
chief object, of course, is to replenish the treasury. But
if in doing this an incidental advantage may be gained
by encouraging the industry of our own citizens, it.is our
duty to avail ourselves of that advantage.
A duty laid upon an article which cannot be produced
in this country—such as tea or coffee—adds to the cost
of the article, and is chiefly or wholly paid by the con-
sumer. But a duty laid upon an article which may be
produced here stimulates the skill and industry of our
own country to produce the same article, which is
brought into the market in competition with the foreign
article, and the importer is thus compelled to reduce his
price to that at which the domestic article can be sold,
thereby throwing a part of the duty upon the producer
of the foreign article. The continuance of thi, process
creates the skill, and invites the capital, which finally
enables us to produce the article much cheaper than it
could have been produced from abroad, thereby benefit-
ing both the producer and the consumer at home. The
consequence of this is, that the artisan and the agricul-
turist sire brought together, each affords a ready market
for the produce of the other, the whole country becomes
prosperous; and the ability to produce every necessary
of life renders us independent in war as well as in peace.
A high tariff can never be permanent. It will cause
dissatisfaction and will Le changed; it excludes compe-
tition, and thereby invites the investment of capital in
manufactures to such excess that when changed it
brings distress, bankruptcy, and ruin, upon all who
have been misled by its faithless protection. What
the manufacturer wants is uniformity and permanency,
that he may feel a confidence that he is not to be ruined
by sudden changes. But to make a tariff uniform and
permanent, it is not only necessary that the law should
not be altered, but that the duty should not fluctuate.