Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1823-11-19
CIRCULAR.


ond day of the annual Fair in this vicinity,) a
meeting was held Of the Manufacturers Of
wooliens IN Massachusetts, to consider the
subject OF petitioning Congress to increase the
duties on woolens. At this meeting, Hon.
JESSE PUTNAM presided, and MIR. j. B.
BROWN was Secretary. The subject was
discussed, and vote passed, that it was the
opinion of the meeting that an application
ought to be made 10 the national legislature,
to revise the Tariff, and to increase the duties
ON foreign woollen goods. A Committee OF
five persons was thereupon chosen to report a
petition. In the course of the evening peti
ton was reported, read, discussed, and accept
ed by an unanimous vote. This petition,
signed by the Chairman, and attestcd by the
Secretary, will be forwarded to Congress by
one of the Representatives of this state. AT
the same meeting, Committee was appoint
ed to correspond with manufacturers in differ
ent parts Of the Union, in order to induce
their cooperation in a measure deemed so
highly important 10 them and to the general
interests OF the country. In pursuance of this
vote, the Committee beg leave to present to
you their views Of the subject.
The Manufacturers of this state disclaim all
pretensions to exclusive privileges, and desire
only reasonable participation in the prosper
ity of their fellow-citzens. They would adj
vance claims no farther than they are in har-
mony with the general welfare, and tend to
promote the present and future we'll being of
The country. The idle Glamour of interested
persons may continue, but the unfounded jeal-
ousies Of other great interests have, it is be-
lieved, abated, and the true sentiment of the
identity of the agricultural and manufacturing
classes, generally prevails. The depressed
condition of the woollen manufactures of this
country, at the present time, is well known.
Several have been compelled to suspend or
change their operations; others are apprehen-
sve of similar fate; and all are persuaded
that moderate increase of impost on foreign
manufactures of wool, will revive and sustain
their establishments. While petitioning for
such relief, it is our bounden duty to show the
necessity ana reasonableness Of our ri quest.
J. The following axioms may be considered as
established by the concurrent voice of large
majority of the citizens Of this country The
people, possessing by the bounty of heaven,
adequate capital, necessary materials, aud re-
quisite skill, are destined to become manu-
featuring, as well as commercial and agricul-
tural nation employment in this occupation
is congenial with the morals, health, intelll-
sfnce, and accumulation of property, Of the
citizens; the rate of duties on foreign mer-
chandises should be increased in proportion to
the growing ability of this country to supply
its internal consumption; Tariff should be
framed to protect manufacturers, as we'll as to
provide FOR revenue ;existing manufacturing
establishments are to be sustained, TO render
us independent Of foreign nations, and they
can be protected only by government.
Protection, then, is all manufacturers ask
and we believe moderate increase Of duties
adequate to this purpose, without prohibiting
the importation oil woollen goods. We con-
cede that duties amounting TO a prohibition
would be unnecessary and unsafe. A sudden
and unnatural increase OF manufactures would
ensue; great bounty would thus he given to
this branch Of national industry, eventually
detrimental to the recipients OF il, and the de-
mands OF the country could not be Immediate
y supplied by them. If placed upon equal
footing with foreign competitors, we doubt moi
the enlightened people Of this country will give
a preference TO the fabricks of their country
men.
Owing to various causes, we are unable 10
cope with foreign nations in supplying our mar
kets with woolien goods. machinery is
more perfect, the wages of labour are less, and
wool is more abundant and is cheaper. British
cloths ale selling at profit, while American
cloths yield little, if any, TO the manufacturer.
1t is the policy and intention OF foreign govern
ments further TO cripple, and practicable, to
paralyze the manufacturing establishments Of
this country. Their eminent Statesmen have
openly and strenuousy recommended making
great sacrifices to attain this object. IL is now
contemplated, in England, 10 alto,O dra,cbaek
on manufactures Of foreign ,cool, achich WiH be
equtralent 10 t1celue and q hal per eentu9n on
coarse fabrickS.
Raising the duties on foreign wcollen goods
will tend to increase the growth OF wool III this
country. An early adoption of this salutary
measure would have prerented the destruction
of valuable sheep. Efficient interposition, at
this time, by Congress will stimulate the agri-
cultural interest to improve and increase their
flocks, in which this nation is greatly deficient.
While in England the native wool composes a
large share of the quantity manufactured, the
United States depend upon foreign countries
for great proportion ofits supply.
We contend that an increase Of duties will
not be injurious to the great body of the people
by manufacturers exacting exorbitant prices
for their goods. We believe the pcrmanen!
interests of all classes of the community are
promoted by such moderate gains as will ensure
industry, prudence, and perseverance,, and
are fully convinced that "internal competition
which takes place soon does away every thing
like monopoly, and reduces by degrees the
price to the minimum of reasonable profit on
the capital employed" The experience Of
this country establishes the truth of this posi-
tion.-Notwithstanding the Tariff of 1916 inn
posed prohibitory duties OH low cottons, they
are now sold at half their former prices, con-
sidering the relative value Of the fabricks; and
it is not doubted but the fostering care of gov
eminent over manufactures OF woollens would
tend to improve their quality, while it would
eventually reduce their price. Government
has incurred all obligation to cherish the man.
ufacturing interests of the country, as during