The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-10-20

creased BY the spring, which would be given 70
| the iron mandatory. The iron masters would
| not lose their profits, since it would only he .
change Of duty. The great mercantile manu-.
facture of vessels is favorably affected by the
abundance Of iron, and tho number of iron ma
nutacturers We exempt raw hides and skins
from duty, to encourage the leather manufactures,
though foreign skins interfere with the produce
of every farm. This aid or rather relief to ship
building, the fisheries and carrying trade. would
be substantial, safe and just. yet it could not
cite jealousy, or q disposition to countervailipg
duties on the part of foreign governments-a cir
eumstance always worthy OF attention. Cheap
ships, as vehicles Of orr produce and sabtiies are
as important to the planters, farmers aud govern
ment, as cheap Wagons. Greater fortunes have
been made by iron works OF a medium, than can
be expected by building & owning vessels hepce-
forth. The latter occupations are more likely to
want the aid of fair and j,dicious economy,
than the former, and the persons engaged in them
are much more numerous than the iron masters.
1t IS conceived that the common and approved
principle of exempting raw materials fren duty.
is in no case more fairly applied than it would be
iii respect to iron
!. The exemption of hemp and fax from impost,
and raising the duties on all the manufactures of
hemp and fax would also encourage the building
and employment of ships, and give spring TO
those manufactures in the United States, which
would probably occasion the freedom of the two
raw materials not to be injurious. Many of the
reasons which arise on the subject of iron, occur
in respect to hemp and fax. The carriage by sea
OF these two commodities, would employ many
vessels. In every case of the encouragement of
mercantile manufactures, (and of all otbers,) the
consumption employment of grain, -FOUR meat,
beer, cider, distilled spirits, horses, working OK
en-, building materials and fuel, which are all
drawn from our lands, would give an extension to
the markets of the. farmers, greater than that
which arise from the production of the raw ma
terial.
1t IS considered, that an experience of years
has furnished evidence of the expcdiency of our
laws respecting foreign interposition in the coast
ing trade; yet deliberate revision of them, for
the purpose of adopting similar or suitable provi
SONS IN new act of navigation, would be very
interesting part of the proposed measure, The
coastlng trade of Great Britain steadily employs
more tonnage and seameD than any other branch
OF their great commerce, though they possess CO.
lon'es and dominons in the four quarters of the
world. As we have not any transInarine estab.
important. The purchase of Louisiana has great
lyincrcased our coasting trade.
This brief and imperfect memoir is only inten-
ded respectful effort to bring into early con-
sideraticn wise and equitable system OF statu-
table provisions for the promotion of our naviga-
ton, commerce and fisheries, and for the pro,ec.
ton OF our seamen and mercantile flag. The ge-
neral nature OF the suggested measure, will be
sufficiently indicated by the principles facts and
observations which are here submitted The wis
dom OF the Legislative and executive government,
IN constitutional concert, in this, as i'm ali other
cases, will decide on the expediency, the neces-
sity and the various notifications Of the national
laws.