Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-08-25
DEFERRED ARTICLES.

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FREDERICKSBURG, August I9.-At
united meeting of Farmers and Mer-
chants interested in The proposed alicra
tion of the tariff on importaiions, at the
Town Hall, in this place, on HE I2lh in
slant, the following MEMORIAL 20 Con.
gfess Was presented and read by Col.
Join Taylor, OF Caroline, and unanimous-
" adop'cd by III Meeting:
To TIE Senate and Bonse Of Representatives.
Of ne United States. an Congress assem-.
Jled-
THE MEMORIAL
Ot the Merchants, Agriculturis,s and o.
Tiers, Of The Town Of Fredericksburg
and adjacent Country,
RESPECTFULLY sHEwETH:
That beirg convinced thai the Protect
ing Duty System has been and would
continue 10 be pernicious 10 the United
States, your MemoriaIisis respectfully
submit 10 the consideration of your Hon
orable Body the following observations in
relation 10 IL:
WHETHER freedom of exchanges
or commercial restrictions. will mos, adj
vance The prosperity ofnaiions whether
an erroneous policy by one nation, re-
qelres an erroneous policy by another;
whether economy or avariCc suggests The
idea OF transferring capital from many
occupations, 10 one whether Justice de-
cides HAT a portion of The labor of the
poor, ought IN be appropriated by laws
TO the use ofthe rich whether the limit
ed powers over persons and property
Delegated 10 the federal government,
embrace the internal power of regulating
the interests of manufacturers and agri-
cul'urisis {: aud whether such a consiruc,
lion OF the federal constitution would
moi include an internal power over all
occupations, and subveri all the restric-
tons designed TO establish division of
powers between the federal and state 60
vernmcnts; are Questions TOO extensive
for The limits ofa memorial, but sufficient
~ important 10 b. suggested 10 the wis
dom Of Congress.
The present tariff was modelled BIZ the
mingled considerations ofraisiug revenuc.
ana encouraging manutaciures. The re
venue n produces, goe- into the public
treasury; and the bouniics il besiows, in.
TO the pockets Of capitalist manufacturers.
Enhrr IS public revenue or private boun-
ties, II Is lax upon the natiopal abilitv.
HE Congress winch imposed The tax,
undoubtedly estimated this ability but
EFT vas imposed one halt OF The ia
'iona' ability 10 pay taxes has been des.
troyed by the doubled value of money,
aut reduction 10 the sane amount in
thevalue ut prodncts and properly. There
fore the burden of taxation has been
doubled by circumstances without tle
agency of legislation. an ii one half the
duties were taken of, il world require
The profits of as much capital to pay tie
other halt, as suificed 10 pay The hole
when the duties wer'. inflicted. One al
tel oil tins dImlnuiion in The ability 10
pay, must be diminulion Of revenue !;
because II The whole duly is continued, it
VIII compel the payers 10 retrench their
consump,ions aud The value OF The boun-
lies bestowed upon manufacturers, being
doubled by The doubled value OF mon y,
they would under The present tariff, re.
celve pecnpiary encouragement worth
twice as much, as that WHICH was origin
ally bestowed. II therefore, one half Of
the duties imposed by the existing tariff
we're taken off, the other half would con
stlfute the same real burden upon the ma
hon, and the same real bounly 10 man
liiacturers, intended TO be established by
The representatives of the people.
10 tins eventual augmentation OF taxa
'loD, without The concurrence of Congress,
The public distress is owing in great
degree and tue question is, whether the
evils inflicted by unforeseen circumstan
ces, ought 10 be al!eviated or increased by
the representatives OF The United States.
In faci, whether ilie bounty TO man
u!aciurers ought to be qnadruplcd by
law, because II has been doubled without
law.
The protecting duty system, in lis exist
ing degree, has been already fell by the
nv. i,p tra
lSliipg The importation of commodities, il
has already chilled commerce, aud rednc-
ed the prices OF our native productions.
Commodities are universal currency !;
their plenty or scarcity will therefore have
The same influence upon prices, as the
plenty or scarcity OF money. An enhance
ment OF home commodities, by the abun
dance OF foreign commodities or curren-
cy brought 10 purchase them, is both =
reimbursement Tor The consumption of
these tureigH commodities, and also fur
nlshes fund Tor revenue whereas The
expulsion OF This currency dimlnlshes the
price OF home commodities, deprlves the
people OF many enjoymenis arising from
consumption, and lessons the means for
the payment OF lakes.
The enjoymenls of consumption are
the food OF industry ; dianish them, and
il flags; leave them free, and it sinvigora
| ted and this invigoralion is resource
so ample for meeting the expense Of an
| increased consumption, thai every nation
possessing il, will have tie advantage ia
commercial competitions over those which
do not. In struggles for wealth, industry
will gain the victory and relaxation o.
lis sinews, Is like carrying on a war with.
out ammunition.
True economy consists in free en-
ployment Of their own capital by occu
palions, 90 the best mode Of making i
productive false economy, in legislaliv,
coercions Of capital in other channels