Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-06-06


and consequently keep up the prices OF articles OF
French manufacture. consider therefore, that du
ty of 80 per will always be- sufficient protec
ton and DO not fear that any danger can arise from
such limitation. We have, it is supposed five
hundred thousand persons engaged in the silk manu-
facture. What is their average wages: Is II 80
low as 10 shings per week. We will take it at
that, which is not too high, seeing that great
portion of them may be children under nine years
of age. I will suppose that one week with anoth-
er each individual los, which amounts, ex-
clusively of Ireland, TO - millions per annum.-
Add TO this interest OF capital. and other expenses
ii will amour; 10 E20, 900 900. The Lords Re
port fixed the value of manufactured silk at 10
millions, another estimates it at ~; let take the
amount at IA, that which is consumed by
the people oil this country. Will it be said,
therefore, that 80 PEI cent. would not be sui
6cient protecting duty? for if the whole II mil
lions were imported the duty would amount 10 up
wards OF 81 ,00G 900. The whole consumption of
France is not equal to that OF England, and will
therefore say, that under fair system of manage
ineat, with our improved machinery, our industry,
economy, and perhaps the lowered prices of other
| articles OF consumption, we shall be placed
footing, where 80 per cent. would be found an adj
equate protecting duty. The inq Try made by Par
Lament in connection with this subject, not
loosely or inattenively conducted. Was not su!fi-
cient tire taken for deliberations Did their Lord
ships rush to a conclusion withou, having examin-
ed competent witnesses, without giving due
weight 10 their testimony? No Sir; no such rash
precpitancy can be charged against them. Hear,
hear, hear. The whole tenor of their inquiry has
established the utter groundessness of such an
imputation The Noble Lord who presided over
that Committee, well the Committee gene
rally, had most diligently, and with the most lau-
BILE anxiety, inv cstgated all the bearings OF the
very interesting question before them. And what,
! let me ask the House, the evidence of that
Committee? Not that 80 per cent. would be a suf-
.icient protection to the home manufacturer; no,
but that 10 per cent. fully adequate Cheers 1
When state this fact, letit be supposed that
! stand up for the decision of their Lorlshps; but
/ that think the safe side when we
make the duty double what was recommended by
the Committee. (Cheers.) l fear, sir, that
have proceeded TO too great length. (Hear.)
certainly have gone too great length for those
who already satisfied that the system of policy
pursued by his Majesiys Ministers in the last year,
Is that best calculated to promote the good OF this
country, Il CHEERS, )-and have gone with but
fear little success against those who, with their
new recruits, with the Honorable Member Tor
| Taunton, MIR. Barring, and the Honsurabe and
J Learned Gentleman opposite, think the safety OF
| the country and the continuance of her trade de-
pend on projections, prohibitions, Sptalfield acls
| (Cheers)- or for those who, with the Honoura-
BILE Member for Siatfordshire, start with horror at
the bare merton of political economy. He thinks,
and indeed has told u.s. that these who put faith in
or who adopt such principles, are only fiji for La
puta. A laugh When, sir, the Hon. Bart
wished me at that celebrated island, anxious TO
secure favorable reception there, I naturally
asked myself What sort accommodation should
take, and certainly il did occur TO ME TO solt-
cit letter from the Hon. Bart, who, if | mistake
| not, has proiessed himself Brobdignagian-
Caushter0 his letter, therefore, could not have
much effect; hut I shall tell him what was the in
,rci,, ,,..tl ,b,,t, I
SELF In the first contest which We had to fight
daring the Bullion discussion, the first question
was, what ought 10 be the proper standard we
were philosophers and economists, as we were re-
commended gold and silver the iuest for that
purpose; and if the practical men A laush1-
had agreed TO that definition, there would have
teen no further dispute.
| The question then much agitaed would have
been at once determined and for ever set at rest |
Such however, was not the case, and so many
were the opinions, and great the dircrepancy
betw cen them, that one hundred volumes of pampl-
let's were published, proving that these metals |
neither were nor ought 10 be the standard and de
filming what it really was. Taking, Sir, some in !
terest in the doctrines of forefa,hers, read
these publications with considerable attention. and
Certainly not without due sense of the novelty !
and importance OF the principles laid down in |
them, and was enabled, Sir, to extract no less
Than fifteen definitions, each Purporling to fix
Whai TIE slsndaFu 1eihJ was. Laughter The |
first definition stated that the only true and legit-
innate standard the abstract pound sterling ~
Il Continued laughter -Thus the solemn opi-
MON OF a very distinguished practical gentleman
connected with the city, had It's reign for season
and among practical persons in that seat OF
trade 1t had unquestionably great run. 1t was at
length exploded; and next the standard was on all
hands declared 10 be the " ideal unit ''-(Gtea,
laughter. This doctrine prevailed for few
months, and at length the standard was defined 10
be nothing more nor less than " the sense of value
in paper money with respect TO commodities -
CONTINUED laugher.) Now, Sir, if am 70 he
banshed to Laputa, shall content myself with
this little Dictionary Of definitions ard am sur.
there is no Philosopher in that most philosophi,aI
island, who will not think fit 10 be, not only
al tile lead OF the Mine, but likewise 10 have ali
the county banks placed under my special conttoul
and direction. Cheers. Indeed, Sir, unless
philosophy has much declined in that country with
in the last century; or unless il has as ali ofher
countries have, in that respect been very much al
tered, can hope Tor no less distinction; for have
no doubt whatever, that if possessed those nrin-
ciples no man even there could compete with me in
metaphysics, and absurdity. [Hear.1 would
not omit The consideration OF any thin1 nsrsssarv
but am open 20 conviction; yet will saw tina,
unchanged in my opinion OF the security ard r.
tty OF the present system of Government. IF
il be the pleasure Of the House TO oyertbrovv tbat
system lie. them do so, and let them do so IT,
Hon. Gentleman can say that any useful end can
follow from re-uming the old system of pro,ec-
tons and prohibitions. On the system az il no,,,
is it is too much for fallible men to saw. tb, /,
can only work all good, BUTT is my sincere OH.
Mon it will assuredly work great good. But not.
withstandng all the objections which have been mr.
ged against it, here state and svo,v my intention
I'LL L. Il 4