Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1828-11-28

which we have groaned for years past beholdinp
with deep and intense interest, our commerce wither-
ing daily under its influence, the hope TINT would
either itself, or, that some measures would b.
adopted by Congress, ut the instance of other memo
riallsts, that would arrest it in its course In this
state of feeling we have remained, If not patiently ut
least without complaining until the expressions OF the
system have become grievous us not to be BORNE
end no relief having been afforded us in any way we
feel that Is time to ourselves all the exer
tions of which we capable and use every proper
means within our power, TO rid ourselves OF this evil
With This view present ourselves the bar of OH
country, and ask the interpretation of your honorable
bodies IN our behalf
Amongst the numerous evils of our AUCTION SysteD
is ofhe oost, that it partaks largely of some
OF the worst features OF mischieyous and unjust
sH0aopoiy. IL is directly calculated and actually
does concentrate in the hands of jeo iRridris an
immense proportion of the business of our principal
cities IT lays the foundation and affords facilities for
the practising of numerous frauds and impositions on
both government and people.
From the best evidence that can be had il appears
that of all the foreign merchandise imported into the
United States from onchalf TO thrce-iourtls is dis
posed Of by Sales ut Auction and of this immense
omcs II, the far greater portion it is believed owned
| by foreign merchants and manufacturers.
| Ii is singular and rather extraordinary crcum-
stance connected with the auction system that in
It's vast and various operations, 1t made the nsr-
mcnt OF wrestling from the American merchant and
trader, all those advantages originally intended by
".
citizens and OF converting them to the benefit Of the
merchants and manufacturers OF foreign nations To
illustrate this postlOn 1T may b. observed that inme-
Gatcly after the organization of the present govern
nent OF the Omted States one Of tine first objects that
engaged the attention OF our legislators, the cst-
J bshncnt Ut iudcious system of imposts. Bearing
IN mind that the country was but Just emerging from
The mpoycrishng effects off protractcd warfare; that
the limited capital of our merchants and traders re-
CURED from fostering and patcrna Government IL
q Of lu,u A
dizc-thcy, with q promptjtud", characteristic of
their enlightened news and liberal policy. granted
credit OF eight, ten and twelve months, all npor-
tations from Europe and still ona credit all goods
mportcdtrom beyond the Cape of Good Hope. So long
the streams of trade and commerce continued TO
low. through the ordinary and regular channels OF
business dfiisng their hcathn and salutary influence
among MI classes of the community, this liberal poll
Icy attended with very beneficial effects our c-
zens, and resulted in but little loss or Inconvenience
10 tho finances ii the country.
But the system pursued of late by alien merchants
and Traders of selling nearly the whole amount OF their
immense lmportations at auction nus driven from the
field of competition large portion OF the american
merchants; hence the advantages Of extended crc-
dit duties, held out by government for the pro-
lection and patronage of her citizens, is now al
most exclusively enioyedby foreigners; and the liberal
credits which We're extended benefit and bies-
sing to our people, are by the ruinous operations OF
The auction system actually converted into a formula
bic and wide spreading evil.
From the acilitics afforded Of eifcctnr speedy sales
of oil kinds of goods at auction; and the short period
in which voyagcs TO and from Europe OF late per-
formed; the most powerful Inducements
santly offered 10 foreign merchants and manufactu-
to pour the whole of their refuse and surplus pro-
auctions into market, to the serious injury, well
" the American merchants us of consumers general
y. The long credit duties comes in their aid it
operates bounty and in the of very short
nne It furnishes the foreigner with u. States funds
equal TO the whole of his capt aloriginay invested
From this view ofthc subject does il not evidently
result that tine auction system Is attended with meal
cuable mlSchlCtS to almost every class of American
ctizcns2 1t remains, then. for our government to in
tepOse It's authority and by the sautary operation Of
an efficient duty sales at auction, to protect CT
items aTuinst that ntolerahe evil, which presses
upon ali the energies and enterprise of the country.
UniesS tins Is done aud done speedily, most of
laws avowedly passed for the protection Of .41ercGn
Commerce, viii as eifcctualv be made subservient 10
the exclusive interest OF foreigners. and the injury OF
cur own citizens, rs those laws were rXprcsy pass
I'd for the sole benefit of the former, and the discou-
rlgemcnt and ruin of the latter.
Restrain this system within proper bounds, andthe
consequences To Virginia and the Southern States we
confidently believe, will be, the gaining OF lost
commerce.; the direct importation of our goods to
large extent: the direct expectation of our pro-
ducc; the benefit ofthe trade -four own states; the
reduction ofthe premium paid for Exchange on
England and the preventing of those dreadful con-
Wilson's in the pccunary affairs ofUur country which
are caused by excessive imports, ana the oVeTTadng
CONSEQUENT thercupon.
Your memorialists persuade themselves that your
honorable bodies will Interfere to correct the evils
resulting rom suCh system; system which in its
moro immediate effects, encourages frauds on the
cnuc, facilitates inposiions tn public destroys the
mercantile Character and is ruinous that class of
citizens to which Your nemoriarts belong, and the
injurious results OF which ultimately fall upon the ag-
ricnltural and abouring part ofthc population.
They therefore respectfully pray your Honorable
Bodies to impose duty often per ccnum on sales nv
auction, excepting the effects of Bankrupts and dc
cCoscd persons, goods sold for the benefit OF Under
writer's shipping and real estate.
The question Oh adopting the memorial was put by
the chair, and unanimously carried.
On motion OF Mr.. James, the proceedings were or
dcrod TO he published IN the papers of the city, and
Ward Committees appointed to collect signatures to
The memorial.
The following Ward Committees were then appon-
ted b. the chair.
jefferson Wdrd.--Orrin Williams, Henry Clarke.
Jno. A. Lancaster, John Van Lew. Nathl Charter