Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-03-22


To all this mass OF evidence, against both
the. necessity and1policy Of laying this new
duty. have only to add few observations
to shew, that il viii In its operation be both
unequal and unjust.
Il is well known that permanent duties,
except on their first imposition are paid by
the consumer but Whenever duties are to
be of short duration, as in the present IN
stance. or until the stocks aof merchandise
on hand, prior to the assessment OF the dn-
" are Hsln off, the price does not rise IN any
ratio with the duty, and that OF consequence
the whole, or part of the duty, is thus much
Of loss to the merchant. This IN degree
cannot be avoided nor is it ever subject
of complaint, when due notice has been
given Of the intention to lay the duty. But
# il be imposed, without notice, or giving
time Tor preparation, then the interest Of
the merchant is sacrificed. The basis OF
all commerce is calCuiation--Wilat calcutta
ton can be formed for distant enterprises,
when the data are perpetuaLly shifting =
Ii a merchant rests on the stability OF the
laws Of The government, and sends away
his vessel, and at her return finds new
dnrv OF so per cent imposed, which from
the circumstances Of it the consumer does
not pay his whole calculations are defeated
and he pockets loss, instead OF proht Tor
his industry.
Commerce is, very probably as well I'M
/ degstood III England IS any where. In that
couutry, new duties on imports are lmPos-
ed with great caution. Whenever contem-
plated the subject is generally long time
under consideration sometimes hanging
over from cne session 70 another. The
ministry make it a point frequently to con-
suit committees of merchants, from most OF
the principal sea-ports in the Kingdom
The result is, The subject is well considered
and when the duties are imposed, they are
submitted to with cordially and cheerful
ness.
| NIr. Pitt in the latter part Of his life, al
WAYS adopted this mode. He did not think
it condescension to consult merchants ON
subjects with which they were better &C
qualntel. than himself. In the early part
OF his administration, he rashly imposed
some additional and heavy duties on I'M
ported merchandise. The consequence
| was the revenue diminished and smuggling
increased. With his characteristic vlgor,
he determined to stop it, and lined the coast
! With luggers, revenue cutters, and irlgates.
| Still the revenue did not increase. He con-
| suited the merchants, they told him the ar
ticles were taxed beyond their bearing. He
naniully retraced his steps and took off the
additional duties and Immediately SNUG
Cling did not pay it's cost-his luggers, cut
ters, and trigates became useless, and the
revenue advanced to its ancient standard.
This is one among many memorable IN
stances that might be adduced to show that
an unwisc augmentation is very far from
producing an increase Of revenue.
There is another view OF the subject, on
which shall say few words. This new
du.y viii operate as bounty to n2oaopoliz-
5rs, torsstaIlers and spectators. Gentle
men are not aware Of che avidity with which
mercantile men nave regarded the proceed
ings Of this session. am tod that within
halt an hour alter question was taken a
bout fortnight since in the other house, ten
expresses started for different parts OF the
Us.
1t is notorious that English and India
goods, and most articles of foreign mer
chandize in the Us. have been bought up
by spectators. 1t is now III the hands Of a
few persons. BY passing this law you dis
courage new importatlons, and enable the
present holders to grind the poor, by ex-
torting high prices for the articles they hold,
from want OF competition in the market.
From all these views of the subject, and
from the sentiments have quoted from the
President, Mr.. GalLatin, and gen. Snieh, it
is apparent that this measure is both unne-
-cessaru nn!Vise and imnalitic.