Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-09-15

A~N.', .'NA 10 lSTtOQ COuiQ DC selected less
htons Tor the making OF experiments than
OF manufacturers themselves viii be best pro-
moted by moderate protecting dutv, because
1t may safely be calculated ON Is permanent A
prohi5tory system III free country like ours
could not long exist, aud repeal OF the Mono
pohzin.s system would involve III ruin al those
who relying thereon had embarked in UNDER
takinSs beyond their means rs has been evinc-
cd by the failure OF those establishments which
were suddenly erected on scale Of magnitude
and expcnce greater than the situation Of their
owners could support, or the state of the coun-
try demanded. 1t is believed that mauu!lc-
lures tn i've fast enough (from increasing skill
and captal) III every branch suited to the wants
and means of the nation. In proof of which,
we nave the experience ofthe last thirty years
at the commencement OF which, we scarcely
manufactured any OF the most common articles
OF clothing or furniture; whereas now, not on
ly all the ncccssaries, but even most OF the SD
pcrhuites thereunto belonging, can now rca-
Oily be procured OF domestic o. internal manu-
f,,C..Fe.
And from the reflections that these views
naturally excite, 1t appears evident 10 your
committee, that at no very distant day, SO far
from laying additional Durthens upon com.
mcrce, it will become necessary To impose
taxes upon articles Of domestic growth or
manufacture as IN country so extensive rs
the United States possess, with soils and
climates so diversified, what may we rot ex-
pect TO produce, and wha, will be the consc-
quence Of taxing imports alose, both to the
revenue and to the people For the sake of
illustration We shall select the article of sugar
OF which there is already a considerable u;ian-
uty produced within the United States, but
not sufficient for the consumption CT the ma
ton. Suppose $50 millions OF pounds neces-
sary Tor the consumption of the United States,
and suppose one third thereof, now raised
;::;hin their own territory, it will follow that
the consumers now pay in the duty thereon
three millions OF dollars for tie support of
government, and one million and a hall as
bounty TO tue growers Of suga within the U.
States. Suppose, i'll process of time, that the
territory of the United States shall be able 10
furnish nine tcnths OF the sugar wanted for
home consumption then the consumers will
pay only four hundred and If v thousand dol
lars thereon, towards the support of govern
ment, rating the consumption and the duty
a. lhe same as they now are but they will
pay four millions and fifty thousand dollars
rs bounty TO the raiseIs of sugar within our
own territory; for, long rs importers can
afford TO pay the duty imposed, and can com
pete in our markets with the same article OF
domestic growth, 50 lons; does the duty serve
as bounty to the grower of the r,, and
to enhance the price iii similar degree to
the consumer-ior, ii is evident, but tor the.
duty, that importers could afford to sell sugar
tor three cents per pound less. Let us take
one more view OF this subject, and such as
we doubt not will strictly apply to it ere ma
NJ years pass around. Let us suppose that
the United States, in place OF not raising SUI
ga" enough for their own consumption. Shall
raise double the quantity 1t will cease TO
be an article OF revenue altogether, except
through an excise, and what shall then re gI
late the rlIcc 1t VIII bear i'll ourown markets
1t Is evident II we raise annually twice as
much IS we consume, the residue would soon
constitute such superiuity of stock, that the
article would bring no price 20 reward the
laoorer for his toll, unless we can find To-
reign market to take Off this supcrfiutv it is
therefore by the price which can be obtained
abroad, for this superhuity, that the price OF
what Is consumed ut home will be regulated.
This reasoning viii apply TO all articles we
use, whether CT Import or Export. The price
at which the imported article can be sold.
VIII regulate the price of articles of similar
description of domestic growth or manu(ac
ture and the price which can be obtained
abroad, for articles OF export, will gulatc
the price ofwhat is thereof consumed a; home
By an open and free commerce nation is
protected on the one hand, against the dan
combining monOpolists and on the other,
from the baneful consequences, which would
ensue OIL the want of market for their sur
plus productions.
The committee having laid before you this
detailed view of the subject in the fullest and
best manner their very limited information
and abilities have enabled them to DO, res
pectfuliy beg leave to submit for your con-
sideraiion the adoption of the following Resp
fUfions
Whereas the manufacturing interests
throughout the u. States are already highly &
amply protected by means of the impost duties;
and whereas an augmentation of the present
rates ofimpost, at the same time that il would
tend to diminish the revenue, would greatly
enhance TO consumers the price of almost
every article. of necessary use: Resolved
That to increase the present Tariff of Impost
dlues, is wholly unnecessary, for the purpose
OF affortling adequate protection to inter-
nal manufactures, will be highly destructive
to the revenue and by affording strong temp
tation to smugglers, will have tendencyto
impair the morals of the people.
Whereas the introduction ola prohbitory
system will prove ruinous to commerce and
agriculture, and will be subyersive the best
rights and interests Of most valuable por-
ton of our fellow citizens attached to navga-
ton, and dependent on it for their support
Reso'ved, That we view the attempts made last
session Of Congress to increase the Tariff, as
unwise, impolitic, and unjust, and as tending
unnecessarily, and without any Just cause or
claim, to sacrifice the interests Of the many to
those Of the few, and that we deprecate any
successful renewal thereof as snbversiy &c Of
the dearest rights AMI liberties ola great ma
jority Of the citizens of the United States.
Resolved, That respectful memorial 70
Congress be drawn up in conformity with
these views and such others as may be sug-
gested and approved by this meeting, as the
sentiments and opinion Of the Inhabitants of
this place generally.
Regoi1,ed. That