Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-08-07
From Tie Yugina Literary Jtfusennl.
THE POLICY OF ENCOURAGING MANU-
EACTURES-No 3.

on the on, hand steam power nlovegblo i,achinerv
money, ana some materials, may be obtained on
better forms la that country; the other hand,
land, buildings, water power labour provisions and
otter raw maj srials may be obtained more chcapy
III his state;--thHt, comparing the respective ad-
vattaccs o. each country, ii appears that ought.
with equal skid, to manufacture cotton fabrics Of
average qGa:", at rs low price England those
Of coarse quality, nj still lower; and woollen
goods sinrNer increase orprice than would
The English So import them. and that our advantages
the nog'hcn stat yet greater than those
VIC POSSESS over Great Britain
But a., for the purpose ofcontrming views we
had cited the opinion ofsonrc ofour principal manuac
tucerS, that we could manufacture wooens cheap
~ as Great Britain, if could procure the
taral as cheap it will naturally be asked. if the cir
CumStauces OF our country. favourable to
racturoS how happened it that the nanuf cturerS.
at that very time, petioncd congress for further pro
lection on wooens, when they not only had the adj
vantage OF the British manufacturer, by the existing
dNty, out also by the expense of Importation and
that the class require protection cotton
manufactures IN which they have the material Chea-
per than their foreign competitors The following
to these questions, are furnished by tine
manufacturers themselves i'll IT,. evidence before the
committee Of congress. LIST. As wool is higher
present, this country than abroad they thought it
necessary 10 encourage the raising Of sheep at home
~ further duty or imported wool, by which, it would
become eventually cheaper, and as this ucrcasc of
duty would have the effect OF raising the price OF do
mcstc woollens, it would be necessary to raise the
tuty imported cloth correspondent extent.
2dly. That strong prejudice existed against cloth
manufactured IN this country. Col. Shepherd said
he consldelcd the prejudices than twenty FIVE
Per cent against the domestic article 3dlv That
the price of manufacturing abonr WIS higher in the
FIST establishments, from the want OF that skill nd
management which time and practice would grad
uHhy suppiy. As proof Of this progressive change
one witness (Mr. Marland) stated that he had paid
three dollars Tor weaving piece OF flannel for which
he then paid ONLY one dollar. Another, (Mr CT PM
stated that he then paid ten cents yard for wea
wing, but had previously paid high thirty
Another, CMr. Schnnck9 that broadclotIs
made ut much less expense than in 1925 by the in
PRODUCTION vi variety OF improved and labour saving
machinery, OF which part was of American inven
ton ith. and lastly The manufacturers further
Urged tor Increase O.! ..tv, the E,ciu-
aims o! the domestic market, caused b. irregular
and excessive lmportations and producing, occasion
ally, great embarrassment and loss 10 the domestic
manufacturers whose capitals rarely sufficient to
enable them 10 keep their manufactures out OF the mar
ket when they depressed below the natural price
the cost of production These disadvantages are
rlanesLly Of u temporary character, and the mani
LECTURERS a!lcGe that they would BE- all either reno
we'd or greatly diminished by further protection
Surprising them to be right. there is inconsistent
Cy between the present relative dearucss of America
manufactures and their future cheapness. How far
the evils complained of are likely to be lcssened by
the protection they solicit, viii be hereafter conSid
cred,
Sona Of the preceding considerations may be
thought to apply 10 the continuance of the duty oh
cotton fabrics On this subject, Mr. Dexter Of Mas
sachusets, said i think the manufacture of coarse
cOttons in this country, is so we'll established,
that we could maize them, If the present minimum
was reduced. think if the present minimum was re-
praled thai the foreign cottons, of this description
would, for time, in, and would greatly inurc,
IN while all our manufactures; but this, think
HJu!d be done at u loss to the foreign ,nGnutac
tgcr Some of manufacturers would be able
ovontually TO sustain themselves, because | think
they can afford the article about cheap as it
can be afforded from England This reduction,
would, however. create a contest between the Amsr
lean capital invested in these manufactures and the
lraign, which would in my opinion ruin some of our
establishments, and compel ALL for time, to sustain
themselves at 4 loss. For these reasons do not
think, the present minimum ought to be repealed
Having thus examined the objection founded on
- supposed DEAFNESS OF labour and want of capital
m this country, let us consider the second objection
,ll,adcd on the disgdcdnflgeS Of Stare itJouy.
II is true that the slave has the same interest
III practising the same OF steady industry, or
tic same economy or foresight those who sti-
u!gted to provide for family, and to better their
condition OF life. IL is urged by the strongest i'm
pulses of his nature TO be indolent and improvient
and 1t Ia the constant attention to little savings that
constitutes the profit OF many cmp!oyments. 1t is
equally true that the neat income OF country in
which the abour is performed by slaves, is far less
than when II Is performed by Industrious frcsmen.
Ile difference III the progressive advancement of
Virginia and the Carolinas from that oc New York
aad Pennsylvania, or of Ohio from Kentucky and
tennessee, are too stirling to leave or doubt
OF this subject.
But if the pcrricjous influence of slavery on nation.
al wealth as not been overrated the precise character
~ the mischief Is often mistaken. Il a slave com.
monty performs lsss work for being slow, he some
lines performs more. Fear produces the effect
IN him rs more generous motives the free man.
Nor is nc insenSioic ~ other motives. lie may be
simulated By rewards. Igs not inscnsibie to emu
iAtan. lie can feel Ire force Of habit. Ahouth
TOO he is inclined bn wastctu and eX.ravapaut IN
ha ocnsu5np;ioE, he - cn'n"ied precise rconomv
Put il Is Chiefly It's effects the FIRE pnouigtioa
nat the mischief Of slavery IL Iclt. H. esscniur
Jae Inducements TO industry; by making manuel la
bgu, grading by furnishing the means Of expense,
and ~ many WAYS CtCrshlnr taste for IT, By suner-