Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1814-04-14

turrbling unGstinguished into one CON-
mon grave. But yesterday, this policy
had thousand frisnds and supporters
,o.day i, is fallen, and PROSTATE ;--ans
Jew & so poor as to do reverence"
Sir a government which cannot I'D
minister the affairs ofa nation without
producing so frequent and such ylolen'
alterations in the ordinary occupations
and pursuits of private life, has, IN my
opinioa. little claim to the regard OF tht
community.
Il ha, been said, that the system o
commercial restric ion was favorable e
domestic manufactures, and that u II
did nothing but induce the habit ospro'
yidinp tor our own wants by our e"f
means, it would deserve to be esteem
ed a blessing. Every gentleman may
remember how often, and how jealous
", this consideration has been urgeo
mon us. Those, nevertheless, whs
were opposed to it. and who though,
tbev understood its real character and
true objects, did not hesitate to predict
that the moment any supposed policy Of
the government required it, nanuiac
tnres would be sacrificed with as Vt''e
reluctance as commerce had keeD.
The same unsparing and remorseles'
hand, which had pfostraled the one
would equally prostrate the o'aer' 10
NEE, any nsw cxigency of affairs, TO O.
yerceme presant financial embarrsss,
ment, or answer any purpose OF tempo.
rary expediency. Something Is Indeed
said ia the message, in relation 10 the
continuance of the double duties " as a
more effectual safeguard and encou
fragment to our growing manuiac
lures" -
Sir, I consider the imposition of dou-
bic duties as mere financial measure,
It's great object was to raise revenue,
not to foster manufactures.
Ii is part Of the war system OF taxa
ton. As the donble duties, in their o.
riein, had little or no reference to the
encouragement of manufactures, so nell
Their will they have in their continuance
So soon as the want of money abates
the double duties will cease, and this
+" safeguard to our growing mhnufac-
lures" be heard of 40 more.
| do not say the double duties esght
to be continued. l think they ought
not. But what particularly object to,
is the holding out Of delusive expecta'
tons to those concerned IN manniac-
lures. The proper measure IS uu-
doubtedly new regulation OF the tariff
of duties, and perhaps an increase on
some selected articles. To double the
duties on all articles imported, tor the
purpose Of encouraging the domestic
manufacture of some, is absurd and
preposterous: That sugar, aud coffee,
and tea, fer example, should be sub.
iect to this increase Of duties, under
pretence of encouraging the wooden
and Gotten manufactures Of the eastern
states, is ridiculous. trust no man
engaged 10 manufactures, will be de-
ceIvod BY 1t.
But whatever government intends to
do on this subject, it oughtto be frank
and sincere. It's policy ought TO be
known, and fit has not total disregard
to the interests Of the community, it
ought to be constant. In respect to ma
nniactures, it is necessary to speak with
some precision. ;.
l am not, generally speaking, their
enemy-I am their friend, but | am not
for rearing them, or any other interest,
in hot beds. / would not legislste pre-
cipi,ately, even in favor of them above
ali, l would not profess intentions in re-
la,ion to them, which I did not purpose
10 execute. IfeeI 10 desire to push the
capital of this country into extensive
manufactures, faster than the general
progress OF our wealth and population
propels 1t.
am not in haste to see SheRield's &
BirmiDgham's in America. Until the
population Of the country, shall! be great
er in proportion to it. extent, such es.
Adjustments would be Improbable, il
attempted, and if practicable, they would
be unwise.
Whatever manufactures can he con-
Quoted in the household, whsre chill
dren may be occupied under parenta
guardianship add protection, are usefu
in the highest degree. Many others
cotton and woolers for instance, of " hicl
the material constituting the article o
chief value, is or may be the Pro3uc,
of our own soil, are iikewise worthy o
protection ard caro-. But Of those pro
ducts. Of which the chief ingredient i
the labor bestowed, which Can be mad,
profitable only by the employment o
vast capital, by the sninusest division
subdivision Of LABOR, and by the toll o
children Of both sexes, drawn togethe
in great numbers, and put out of sigh
of those who have natural interest il
the preseryationaof their health and mo
Il