The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1826-11-07

from different parts Of the state, on the
WoOllen Manufacture ia this country. Its
unparalleled depression, and the causes
which have produced this depression, were
dwelt upon at considerable length by the
Hon. MIR. Tafts of Dudley, Col. Shepherd
of Northampton, Mr.. Wolcott of South
bridge, and by MFR. Abbot Lawrence, and
Mr.. J. Clapp, of this city. The Chair
man and Secretary also addressed the
meeting. The sentiment in favor of me-
morializing Congress was general, and
vote, that it was expedient to adopt me-
mortal for an increase of duties on Woollen
Goods, to be forwarded to Congress at
their next session, was unanimous.
Voted, That Messrs. J. B. Brown, and j.
M. Robbins, and James Wolcott, be a
committee to prepare such paper, andre
port the same to this meeting. In the
course Of the evening the committee re-
ported memorial which was unanimously
adopted, and the committee were instruct-
ed to forward it to Congress.
Voted, That Messrs. J.B. Brown, J. M.
Robbins, and Lewis Tappan,be commit
tee to correspond with manufacturers in
other states, and to solicit the aid and CO.
operation of all persons who feel an inter-
est in the success of this important branch
of national industry.
Voted, That the thanks of this meeting
be presented to the Hon. Mr.. Taft for his
services as moderator of the meeting.
J. B. BROWN, Sec'y.
rive were present, by an invitation from
friend, at the meeting whose proceedings
are officially stated above. The remarks
of the Hon. Chairman we did not hear
Mr.. Shepherd, of Northampton, with great
energy, urged upon the meeting the neces-
sity of pursuing measures for the relief Of
the woollen manufacturers, with vigor and
without delay. The cause-of their embar-
easements, he said, was apparent. The
Tariff, which was intended to aid and pro-
tect them, by some miscalculation in its
details, had, in fact operated against their
interests. By that act, only about per
cent. ad valorene duty was laid on imported
WI ollen cloths, while IS per cent. was adj
ded to the duties on imported wool. The
consequence is, that the foreign n1anufac-
turer, procuring his raw material without
being subject to the high duties which our
manufacturer must pay, and procuring la
Dor at rate which is almost nothing COM
pared with the price of labor here, is ena-
bled to bring his goods into our market and
dispose of them at prices far below what
we can afford. The time had come, Mr..
S. thought, when the woollen manufactu-
rers must apply to Congress for relief in
language that should not be disregardcd.-
They must knock at the door of Congress,
and if not hidden to come in, they must en-
ter without, and insist on protecting du-
ty. If relief Of this nature were not
granted, it would be necessary for the man.
utacturers to shut down the gates and stop
the wheels of their factories. He was read
| y for one, to do it now. He was certain,
that one Of these alternatives was the only
way to avoid bankruptcy.
Mr.. Wolcott, of Southbridge, was not
less energetic in his address to the meeting.
lie was satisfied, and had been for long
time, that the woollen manufacturers must
meet bankruptcy and ruin unless speedy
relief was obtained. He was opposed to
asking Congress for an increased 0d 0alO-
rem duty on imported woollens. Such a
measure would not meet the difficulty nor
remove the embarrassment; for the great
or portion of cloths being imported by for
eign agents for and on account of foreign
manufacturers, they would always be able
to invoice their goods at as low rate as
they pleased--and it had been decided in
the U. S. Court, that Gd valorem duties
were to be levied according to the prices at
which goods we're bought or invoiced, in
foreign countries, and not according to
their intrinsic value. The agents of for
eign manufacturers would therefore always
have it in their power to evade the payment
of high duties in our ports, and would, OF
course, sell their goods at such prices as
would prevent our own manufacturers from
entering into competition with them. He
wished, and he would ask for, specific
duty on the square yard, as the only meth
cd which could be adopted to check the
importations from England, and to prevent
the sale of foreign goods in our markets a,
prices below those which the American
manufacturer can afford. Mr.. Wolcott IL
lustrated his proposition by variety Of
| facts, and supposable cases, equally forci-
BILE and satisfactory
Mr.. Brown, of Boston, rose to move that
committee should be appointed to pre-
pare memorial to Congress, setting forth