Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-16
DISCRIMINATING DUTIES.

In Senate of The United States, Apru Is, 1926.
Mr.. Smith, Of Maryland, addressed the chair
as foows:-
Mr.. oresident-The motion is to discharge
the Committee of Commerce from the furthe
consideration of the memorial of the merchants
of Baltimore, which prays that British ships
NAV be admitted from the Colonies of Great
Britain on payment of the same duties of ton
mage and impost as levied by law on the vessels
of the United States.
The subject has engaged much Of my atten-
ton during the recess, and had come TO the
conclusion that the United States had acted "a
gainst its own interest, in not having declared
the colonial trade to British ships free of dis
eliminating duties, and soon after the COM
mepcement Of the present session, had CONVEX
sations with the Secretary of State and the Pre-
sident on the subject.
| believe, Mr. President, that there is no diff
ference Of opinion; that allwho have considered
the subject, agree "that our discriminating du-
ties ought to be repealed as far as they relate
10 this subject before us; the only difference is
the manner. The Committee of Commerce
think it better to be done by negotiation. 9th
ers think tina, it Tan be effected by an ac OF Con-
gress, which shall meet at once and a0ithout de-
Ian, the very liberal offers Of Great Britain,
made by her act of Parliament of the 9th June,
and her two acts of 5th July; 1925. In this last
mode most fully concur. We know what we
mean when we act by law. All the branches of
the Government then concur, and our acts so
into execution without delay. Whereas, if we
wait for negotiation, we know not whether in
structions have yet gone, nor when the negocla-
ton will terminate. Of this we are certain,
that convention, if made with Great Britain,
could no: be acted on by the Senate before the
next session. In the mean time, our merchants
are paying TO the Colonial Treasures from ff-
ty TO sixty thousand dollars per annum-
On whom does this tax fall? On the agrcul-
turalists; for the merchant must charge what
he paws on his commerce; and every charge of
the kind must be deduction from the price of
the article he purchases. 1t is that great IN
terest of our country that we are most partlcu-
larly bound to protect and assist. he farmer
and planter, at this time require every aid that
can be given by lessening charges that may ex-
list, and by reducing the duties on such articles
as enter into the consumption Of every family,
and thereby lessen their family expenses. The
middle or grain growing states have noW few
markets for their produce, and the demand is
small. 1t is my duty 70 attend particularly to
that nterest-in doing so, on the present occa-
sion, shall also, (fI succeed,) facilitate the
merchant and ship owner in their occupation.
MIR. President, before proceed TO take ge-
neral view of the subject, | think il best to ex-
anime the repor. of the Committee of Com
merce. Ihave very seldom differed from the
very able Chairman of that committee on COM
mercial subjects. In fact we do not now differ
on the general subject. We only differ as to
the best mode of obtaining the same object.
The first point made in the report is, "that a
Just reciprocity does rot exist" "inasmuch as
our merchants must pay the colonial duties In
cash whilst the British merchants have credit
of six or nine months on the duties on their
cargoes arriving in the ports OF the United
States"
Those, sir, are munich pal regulations adopted
bv each nation for its own convenience, and a.
cainst this difference we have never complain
ed. Great Britain mas always eSacted cash ior
the duties imposed by her But in cases where
the duties are very high, she has, to facilitate
the importation, given the privilege OF deposit
mo the articles in The public warehouses, las Tor
instance, Iobacco) paying only the duty there
on. as drawn out for consumption.
Her warehousing system has been extended
in like manner by her late acts, TO the free ports
of her colonies, to which free trade has been
opened for our produce, and our manufactures,
with few exceptions which shall notice. on
which the duties may be paid, or they may be
deposited in the public warehouses, where they
may remain for two years; no duty payable un-
less drawn out for consumption; during that Pc
Rod, they may be sold, either in whole packa-
ges, or opened and sold in such parts as may
best suit the purchaser, for making up an as
sorted cargo for the new States. This mode
gives great facilityto commerce, and may in