Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-11-02

len cloths, all articles made Of Iealher,
steel, iron, brass, tin, wood, bronze, &c.
were totally prohibited.
Let us add, that ferdinand VII. as soon
as he assembled the throne of Spain, issued
proclamation, NOT only forbidding the
importation of cotton goods altogether,
but ordering those actually 10 the country
to be re-shipped within twelve months.
For the policy Of Austria on this i'm
portant subject, we respectfully refer you
to recent British publication, Rordanes
on European Comiaerce. Ii is therein
stated, that the importation of all silk,
cotton aud woolen manufactures is forbid.
den in the whole extent Of the Austrian
dominions, as it has been hitherto in the
ancient Austrian states only" There
are various other prohibitions, unnecessa-
ry to be detailed.
The prohibitory system of Russia, a
country like our own, with vast terrific.
I ~ and very disproportionate population,
IS carried to an extent far beyond that OF
any other in the world, except China. 1t
embraces all the great leading articles Of
manufacture, as cotton, linen, leather,
wool, wood copper, iron, paper, silk, sill
yer plate, glass, aid vast variety OF arti-
cles of minor importance.
Every reason that exists for prohibitions
in those nations, for the purpose Of pro
tectiDg the native manufacturer, and pre-
serving the resources of the country, ex
lists here. And we cannot but lament,
that the arbitrary governments Of Europe
have displayed more attention 10 the inte-
rests OF their subjects interested in manu-
iactures, than the same description o:
persons have experienced from their fell
low citizens 10 congress. The former are
protected by the strong arm Of the law,
against the competition OF fgery nation
sokiateUer while the latter are exposed to
| the competition Of the whois wo,id, AMI
consequently to ruin. II therefore ire
lsistibiy follows, thai so far as regards the
acquisition Of property, and tn protection
of property acquired, large portion Of
this class of citizens are debarred from
one Of the most substantial advantages Of
government. This is stain upon our
annals which cannot be regarded without
deep regret, IA stain which, we respect
fully hope, for the honour of our common
country, yea will speedily ohlitega!e.
Numerous objections have been raised
against the protectioe Of manufactures i
this country which We shall freely bal re-
Ispecttully examine.
Among the most prominent is the ex
tortiou said TO have been practised by the
manufacturers during the late war, which
has been by many regarded as complete
justification Of the refusal of an increase
of duties.
We believe this accusation can be fair.
ly disproved, TO the satisfaction Of every
ingenious mind; and we respectfully in
wife your attention to the subject. W.
shall state the case Of superfioe broad
cloth, on which the chief reliance has been
placed. The reasoning that applies 10 this
article, will apply equally TO others.
Foreign cloths were sold in l81 /. before
the war, at eight, nine and ten dollars per
yard. MeriDo washed wool was then
about seventy-fve cents per pound. One
hundred and fifty thousand pounds Of i'm.
ported merino wool were told, in the
course Of that year, by Messrs. Warder &
Son, of Philadelphia, to Messrs. Dupont,
of Wilmington, and others, for, from Sc.
venty to eighty cents. On the general
establishment of the wooIlen manufacto-
res, in the close of 1918, merino wool
was sold at two dollars aud half to three
dollars per pound, as appears by the
Philadelphia price current; which also
shows, that on the 28th Of March, 1914,
the price was from three to four dollars.
at which it continued stationary for the
remainder of the year. The highest price
of American superfne broadcloth at tn at
period, averaged from twelve to fourteen
dollars. Foreign cloth was generally
sold at higher rate; and but for the sup
plies from the American manufactures
would probably have been sold for twenty
dollars. Thus, while the farmer, who
advanced the raw material from four to
five hundred per cent. and the importer,
who raised his prices from fifty to two
hundred per cent. on the various articles
he had for sale, accuse the manufacturer
of extortion, the latter did not advance his
fabrics more than fifty per cent. on the
prices current before the mar, notwith-
standing the extravagant rise in the price
Of the raw material. and likewise in wages,
owing to the extraordinary demand for
workmen, and Notwithstanding the enor-
nous expense Of the manufacturing estab.
lishments, and the advance 10 the price OF
almost every article Of food and dress.
We hope and believe, that this accusa-
ton, though so often reiterated, will have
no influence ON unnr hnnnnrahle houses.