The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-04-16

mere Is also dnOtlCr ldCl, WHICH 1 VIII
init TO the consideration of the Committee, as
tending TO show that goods are improperly in
troduced into our market. Goods, such as we
have, within the last three years,
fallen from 40 to 50 per cent. How is this 20
be accounted for, except on the supposition that
the duties are evaded | admit that there has
been decline in the price of the raw material,
and possibly some in labor, but no such change
as satisfactorily to account for such an aston
ishng decline in goods. How, then, can the
British manufacturers sustain themselves, I'M
less they evade the spirit OF the tariff by shun- !
ming the duties which they ought to pay
There can, on,the whole, be little doubt, that
from the difference in the cost of wool here, and
ii England by reason of duties alene, and from
the facilities with which the spirit the tariff
Of 1924 can be evaded, our manufacturers have !
substantially no protection from that law, if, by
projections, we are TO understand that they are I
placed on a footing, more favorable to pursue
their business, than their competitors. The duty
on the raw material counteracts that on imports 1
cd cloth, and the effect is, that what you give
with one hand, you take away with the other.
Having now considered some of the principal
causes which tend to embarrass the manuiac- I
tnrer and believing, as feel myself compelled
to, that the principal difficulties arise from de-
fective legislation here, | viii now examine
some of the objections which have been urged
against afiording him adequate relief. fear
should be thought wanting in respect if do
not first consider the great obstacle which has
been pressed upon our consideration, by q
great number Of memorials, and in jealous
argument, urged with great vehemence upon
the committee, day or two since, by the gen
tleman from Virginia Mr.. CLAIBoRNE] the
want of constitutional power to leoislate upon
this subject Ifthe objection is well taken, 1t is
fatal for we can have no desire to violate the
Constitution, for any purpose, or to attain to
any object, however important.
IL is not my purpose to enter into an analysis
Oft the powers conferred upon this Government
by the Constitution: for, if were to attempt
to explain my views, it would doubtless be
deemed by maay an Improbable speculation.
The only anxiety feel is neither to be classed
with those who deny to the Government all
useful power, nor with those who grant it I'M
limited authority Without trenching upon
the ground of any set Of scheolmen or politl-
clans, or advancing any theory of my own,
may, | hope, be permitted TO ask your attention
to few historical facts Immediately preceding
the formation Of the Constitution, and to GER
tain acts of legislation since It's adoption, with
view to ascertain what was the leading mo-
tive to the establishment Of this Government,
and whether, by Its formation, the great objects
sought for were obtained.
The Confederation under which these States
were united for Several years, gave to Congress
powers too limited and feeble to fulfil the inst
expectations of the nation or to relieve its en-
barassments for it could do little more than
recommend to the States the adoption of such
measures as the pressure of the times called
for. The compact conferred no power to raise
revenue by the imposition of duties. nor any
power to regulate commerce and intercourse
with foreign nations consequently, the faith
OF the nation violated, public credit was
destroyed, commerce was nearly ahnihllateG,
and almost every branch of industry was sink
inc, under pressure, from which it could not
relieve itself, In this state of dispar, repeated
attempts were made to obtain power from the
States to regulate commerce and foreign inter-
course. as the only effectual means by which
public credit could be revived, and the resources
length granted, bat in f6rnis SO dIIferent by
diiferent States, that it was found inlpraetica-
Die TO legislate upon it, This failure only rem
dered more manifest the inefficiency of the
Confederation, and the Importance of adopting
measures to establish Government with more
enlarged powers. Convention was called
the present Constitution framed, and eventually
adopted; and the first Congress, many of
whom were members ofthe Convention, Assem-,
hled IN l7I9.> The nation was almost crushed
under the double weight of public and private.
debt; trade languished, and industry seemed
incapable of extricating itself from the tolls cir
cumstaces had wound round IT, What did these
men, many OF whom we're the architects of the
constitution, do to re-establish public credit
ana to rouse the energies of the nation? The
second law enacted was declared, in the pre
ambe, to be an act for the support of Govern.
nent, Tor the discharge of the debts of the
United States, and the announcement and
PFotectlon OF manufactures" This act impos
cd duties on imported merchandise and the
q Of in - =
duties on tonnage II we look into the provisions
OF these two acts, we shall find o.hor. and
stronger proof, than that contained in the pre
am0ie, that Congress considered itself as bay-
ing power to regulate commerce and trades.
with foreign countries, in such manner. and bv
such means, as would most promote the pros.
perity of the United States Here we shall
IND, that the system Of bounties to fishermen,
and duties on imported fish, were commenced, !
ana, under various notifications. have been
continued to this time. WHY did Congress
impose duty on imported fish? Not for the
purpose Of revenue, for the Americans were
probably more expert and distinguished in the
employment than any nation Whatever and
annually exported large quantities of fish.
Why was drawback allowed upon exported
fish, which was equivalent to bounty. and
soon after took that name Not for revenue. |
for the Treasury could not be enriched by this
PROCESS; put both provisions were obviously !
made to favor this branch of industry, by en-.
couraging those engaged in this perilous pur
SUIT, TO continue IL it and In this nnIlraa af
policy is the nation Indebted for no inconsdera-
bic share of its wealth, which has been drawn
from the Ocean. Here, too, was commenced
the system Of discriminating duties on tonnage
A duty Of six cents a ton was imposed on for
eign vessels. This, again, was obviously done,
not Tor the purpose of revenue, but to meet the
British system Of monopoly which was then in
operation, as TO the West India Colonies, and
to favor our own navigation The wisdom of
this policy has been most fully proved, by the
une~nped growth and prosperity of our ma
rine. While thus lending its aid 10 the fisher
and Y. Z