Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-10-08

goods by auction to eur merchants, real
lsed the cash from the auctioneer, and
were in a good condition, for another years
business, when the discussion commenced
at Washington about the Tariff This
caused them to wait a little, to see how
it should terminate. The chances appear
ing against It's passage, immense orders
were forwarded; but as the friends of the
American System appeared willing to sup
port the Tariff Bill, even with all the OBJ
jectional provisions, which a wish to rem
der 1t odious had attached to it, contrary to
my expectation, and those of the merchants
generally, it passed and became a law of
the land
Upon this, immediate countermanding
orders went express ia all directions, and
fortunately for our country, they reached
the British manufacturer in season. For.
had the Tariff not have passed and taken
as early as it did, the amount of importa-
ton would have entailed debt of many
millions upon our country more than it
could pay, and consequently would have
scattered ruin and bankruptcy in every d.
recton. The goods thus imported must
have been sold Tariff or no Tariff.
Notwithstanding the new duties, dry
goods upon the average are not higher this
year than they were last year, and the
consumer will get them as cheap. 1t Is
true that expectation was raised and many
have held their goods, expecting an ad-
vance; but they are disappolnted-and
what is the cause of this disappointment!
Certainly not the Tarid-because we know
that act IS now in operation.
What then, ifnot the Tariff The cause
is obyious:-for some years past there has
been a gradual extension Of business
throughout the country, and every mer
chant has more or less of last years sup
ply on hand, aud he finds himself still in
debt for his old stock, while his available
means Of payment are very much lessened.
His purchases are therefore limited; and
small as some have imagined our importa
tons to be, they prove to be more than C.
nough. Those who expected a rise IN
consequence of the Tariff, are of course
disappointed, and are glad to receive the
average prices of last year for their goods.
Now, suppose nothing had taken place
10 prevent shipments. which the Tariff GER
tainly has done, and that the lmpOrtatIons
of the goods ordered had actually been
made-what then would have been the
state ofbusiness aud the consequences to
the merchants ofthis country! Already
saddlcd with heavy debt, and certain
Curtailment of resources tins year TO the a.
mount ofseveral millions, can any man of
experience entertain a doubt what our sit
udtion would have been, and that the natu-
raj consequence would have been fatal to
our merchants Distress and bankruptcy
would inevitably have pervaded the land.
Whatever therefore may have been the
actuating motives in those who framed q
adopted the Tariff, ] am thus far well SAT
lsfed withits general effects; though parts
Of the act appears to me i'll shapen and sus-
cephble of great Improvement. 1t should
always be borne in mind, that some Of its
provisions were forced upon its friends, &c
that the whole is open to amendment. 1t
will be far more agreeable to listen to de-
bates ia favor Of some alterations of the
Tariff, than to read the long lamentations
and doletuI speeches, which would other
wise have been made in Congress on the
depression of trade and the ruin of the
country.
A Pearl. STREET MERCHANT.