Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-08-14
HARRISBURG CONVENTION.


Harrisburg IOHNpIlUUH WAS llsl tli@u,il ois "h'''
the hour they came together, that it was to be an
Administration meeting for political purposes in
DISGUISE. Has this been the case ? Can any one
say that the objects Of this Convcntion-the avnw-
ed objects--haye been forgotten We think not.
The members came from wide extended country,
embracing numerous soils and different climates.
to compare notes upon the great question OF mann
featuring interests, and in this all other subjects
were lost. They were body, without any dispar-
agement to any other body polite in our country,
that contained more practical knowledge OF com
! .erce and manufactures, than any which has been
assembled since the establishment of our Consiu-
tlon.-Ihey came fora specific purpose, and nothing
more. There was no opportunity for display or
political intrigue. if there had been disposition Tor
eher in five days buslly employed i'll tie objects Of
their mission Ne have often said II. aud we again
repeat it, that in order to procure harmony, conn.
dence and unity Of purpose for the best interests 81
our country, among the leading minds oiit. we have
only to bring these minds to contact and colnmu-
ncation as often as possible. Halt the errors OF
legislation in Congress and IN the State Governments
arise from want of information. Vague conjecture
supply the place of facts, and wild inductlons are
not corrected from ignorance in the premises. 1t
is more readily, by such conventions. that true and
full statements of facts are obtained than by any 9th
er means, for. party politics sometime give shape
and form to statements, we'll as colUurlng to facts
These conventions cannot hide or disguise the truth.
having no object but its development. The address
from this Convention is looked Tor with no small de-
gree olnerests. 1t is in able hand, and the public
will soon have the benefit of it,
70 The Senate and House Of Representatives. Of the
United States Of .4mericd.
The memorial and petition Of their fellow citi-
zens, the undersigned, assembled at Harrisburg in
the State Of Pennsylvania -
RESPECTFULLY sHEWs-
That the inpertecons Of the acts of Con-
gress intended to foster the woollen interests Of
these United States, together with the counteryal-
ng measures of the British government, have re-
duced that interest to need the early and etectua
lnterposition of Congress TO support it.
Forty millions Of manufacturing capital, together
with forty millions OF farming capital, composing
this great national concern, for want Of adequate
protection have lost half their value.
1t is in the power of Congress to relieve it from
present distress and jeopardy, to prevent ITS utter
ruin which! nmluent and TO render 1t OF the hrst
Importance to the general welfare Of these United
States.
Your petitioners might present their views, II
extensive considerations OF the subject. Deprived
| by natural circumstances of concerted action, and
almost OF common cause in this respect the weak
est interest Of the country, your petitioners have
been induced TO meet together, from various distant
places, for the purpose Of exchanging sentiments
personally, and uniting this occasion III petition
to Congress Tor that justice, which no douh will bC
promptly dispensed, as soon your honorable bo.
dies convinced that the country stands in nj !,
| o it.
Your petitioners dlsclam all sectional and merely
individual views. They would not venture 10 tp-
proach the constituted authorities OF the country
litb t,s p,atnnrl If s,tiS md haiti
tatves have uniformly recognized the interest in
question of primary national importance. Where
fore they respectfully but earnestly solicit your ho-
norabie bodies, to save, to protect and promote
what has uniformly been treated by government as
one OF the principal elements OF the independence
prosperity, and greatness Of this republic.
Without further argument, but trusting TO the
wisdom and patriotism OF Congress to devise ano
enact such laws the eXigency requires, your pc
titloners submit themselves to your judgment. ir
full confidence that the representatives of the PEG
pie will promptly apply that legislation, which i,
indispensable TO sustain, preserve, and advance the
agriculture and manufactures which more thar
bait the citizens of these United States depend for
their livelihood, and the whole country Tor its pros
per,ty,
Not presuming to suggest the details Of such an
act of Congress as would put stop TO the ruinous
fluctuations which for the last nine years have dis
tressed the farmers and manufacturers of the Unit
ed States, striving to make head against the foreign
legislation which depriyes them of their own mar
kets, your petitioners nevertheless, with the utmost
Difference, submit to the superior wisdom, and I'M
controlled disposition of Congress, the following
rates of duties, calculated to accomplish that pur.
pose, viz:
1st On raw wool, costing over eight cents in 6
foreign country, duty of twenty cents per pound
to be increased annually two and half cents pei
: pound.
Cd. All goods composed of wool, or of which
: wool is component part Except blankets, stuHis
: bombazines, hosiery, nets, gloves, caps, and bind
! ings) costing not more than fifty cents per square
yard to be taken and deemed TO have cost fifty cent
II per square ward and forty per cent. ad yaorem