Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-10-09
RICHMOND, OCT. s.
COMMUNICATED.
ON MANUFACTURES.

isbrics, and the opposed additional duties on
woollen goods, are loudly and increasingly repro
hated by the people OF the Southern States. We
complain of being made (" tributary TO our bre-
ihfen OF the East. Leaving 10 politicians to de-
eide on the constitutional power OF Congress to
impose taxe-, for any other purpose than that OF
raising revenue, mine shall be The more humble Of
ice OF endeavoring 10 call the attention OF my
fellow citizens OF Virginia, TO the course i, be-
hoves them, in their defence, to pursue under
existing circumstance. Viii only remark, en-
Pdss"Ht, that the policy OF laying duties, 10
puect the manufacturing OF many articles of ne
cessity, sdopiel at the foundation of the go
vernmen, and has been followed ever since. In
deed, such has been the effect of these duties that
many articles now yield ule or no revenue This
may, however be called incidental quence;
oui, In the name OF common sense, wha, Is the
pFucfirdi difference between incidental effect
and designed effect? If duty be land for the pur-
pose OF revenue, and it fails in that object, while
serves as protection to some domestic manufac-
ure, II has precisely the practical operation,
as II II were designed protection. II is great
refinement, indeed, in politics, TO deciie a con-
slhu'ionai question by an appeal TO the quo amino.
different men vote Tor the same measure with diff
ieTent motives. y means TO raise revenue by
duty on manufactures oflesther. II means tn en-
courage shoe-makins at home. Docs b violate
the constitution while A does not, That every
country has right 10 render herself independent
OF other countries, Tor necessary articles of con-
sumption, viii be concedei by every rational man.
Modern political encoGemi-is have written n great
deal about the freedom of trade, and insist that
liberal principles, in the intercourse between ma
ions. promote the interest of all The doctrine
In the abstract is unque-iionably true. If all ma
tons would sgree TO fair interchange OF their
produces, the only competition would be, which
shall be most industrious and thriving; bat, until
such liberaiiy shall prevail, each nation must taseI
care OF herself. When one country refuses to ad 1
au-ttf her tbatf
periy refuse TO admit hei woollens and hardware
her the right 30 tnteTdict The importation OF
any article, does not include the minor principle
OF regn dtns the condition of such importation,
again leave to politicians TO determine. 1t is suf-
heient tor my purpose, that large ma jority of the
people OF the United Sists~- approve OF The err
Psdiency OF the present tariff and it only remains
mat we SIN uld make the most of situation. II
certainly operates most oppressvey on us at pre-
sent, and II Is not wonderful that portion of our
citizens, especially the Tobacco Planters, should
sirenu"usly oppose it. Their produce il readily
admitted into foreign markets, lille they can
procure such articles OF manufacture, suit their
purposes, on cheaper terms, under a system Of low
Gaties. than under the present or proposed tariff
Ga which side Inc interest of the cotton planter
lies is more doubtul-tu csnnot be surprised
that the cultivstors OF grain should desire 10 pro-
mote home mIke, by the establishment of
manufactures OF all sorts when we know ina, cy-
cry part OF Europe is virtually closed against their
products.
From these remarks, i, must not be inferred tina,
! am an advocate OF rendering this a great manu-.
featuring Country, at tie expense of agriculture.
Indeed, there seems to be no great danger this
subject 1t IL not consistent with The habits of our
people, to become sickly aud bloated nation OF
inapu!actuuers. in place of a.h.ppy agricultural
one The cheapness and abundance of our fer lie
lands, forbid any such con, ersion of our pursuits;
and the prospects of excise laws ana other internal
Si p or nreye
featuring only contend, that such encourage.
ment my safely be ex,ened To such manufaciul es,
sswill AID agriculture, aud render us, all times in
war and in peace, Independent Of other naton- for
aiticies oil necessity. We should leave 10 older
and IN re populous countries to suppIy us with
uxuries, ard all the finer fsb.,cs. The protection
OF manufactures Tor the sorts of raiment-
Tor works IN IRON, especially implements Of hus
bandry, ordnance and mt. ets->snd for .,unpov-
der, may surely he granted without impsirIng our
rights or our interest. II are tribuIary'' to
our Eastern brethren, we are 50 p0iuntGyij0. Ii
we VIII buy our ID - and boots 80 north of Ma
sons and Dxons line,' instead of making them
at home, II is our choice. We have the same pro
lection that they have. am fer a declaration OF
independence, in this respect, even on our neigh
hors Let Us do something for ourselves in In.
way OF manufacturing. Ii is neither by abusing
heu, nor by praying 10 Hercules, that We can get
our wagon out OF The Tough Titcy will 20 on.
because he majorny Is with them; aud zoe nosi put
our shoulders TO the wheel. Why do sve NOT make
q beginning! do we disiru-t Ourselves; Have we
not equal intelligence; equal natural ADVANTAGES;
Are our minds ethereal as to evaporate in me-
taphysics and speculative poiiic-, while they nj
ihe East are growing rich at our COST Let liz
arouse into scuon, and sbew our Industry and an
isrrrlse. We have capital enough TO begin with:
hfiiticers will realty when they are Xy,n,in,
We have hne wsteT-isils abundant Store. Of coel
iron AMI leaj. We NUKE the very cotton ou,
neighbours buy. WHY should W e not avail our
selves OF these advantages? True, we are met. a,
The very hreshDold with an objection to our slaves
ms sort OF population i%, indeed, calamity TO us
'ut we nave ~, anu real wisdom pIoInris US TO
make the most OF our actual condition. lie. who
Thinks that slaves will not make good artisans l. "a
error. Many OF them are Ingenious and skiifuI in
handicrsii, audi With regular enient ther la
houI can be most prVfifsbly employed IN manufsc.
iuses. In all descriptions OF ir0n-,sork.. where
the experiment las been made they are en,iaently
useful In the manufactures OF tobacco. In The
Niy OF AIehmond, where the p ocess is carried on
entirely ~ hand, they are chiefly relief on. AL
ter spinning machines are erected. there ;s q,
greater art, IN attending 10 the tying of threads
ihan there IS 10 siemmng and twisting tsbacco
IN inc vicinity OF NichmonJ, there Is an unlimited
power OF water Tor machinery. On the banks OF
James river, coal anil iron Of the best quality
abound. Yet, we indebted TO other state.
mostly io' our castiugs, spades, scyiles. nails. &c
Cotton, of excellent staple ismade ia Yifgini, I,
y bought, IN Petersburg aud Richmond, for the
Ea-ein market Commission, freight, and insnr.
Ell -. are pad on II, and il is returned TO ~ in
ynanuac "fsd s'ste, vita sipilsr EXPENSE b,siIes
fbe seisIer's S1HI. Surely We can afford to MAKE
snd cell articles, ilias heavily charged, ON better
Terms ih ~ we now get Item for, aud sill retain
fsir pro6 fos manufacturing tiiem. Wbis the over.
gfown iact9res OF England cled'e bsggsry, we