The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-08-06


which you hold your estates, can for mo-
ment doubt who then is the anonymous,
seditions seribbler who has the audacity
to tell you that Messrs. Pearce and Burgess
have no feelings or interests common with
tho Landbolders Of Rhode-Island {? Did
he not know that Mr.. Burgess was prac-
tical Farmer, on an extensive scale, who
has done as much TO improve our system
Of husbandry, and to render the land pro.
ductive as any one individual in the state
does not his property consist Of land, &c. u
can he by any possibility entertain towards
you or your interest as farmers, hostility oil
views or designs, that will not operate his
own destruction as quickly as yours!
As to Mr.. Pearce-he was the son OF q
Farmer, and with that Father on his farm,
he passed his early years--and although
| he turned his attention 10 a profession, os
the more promising road to distinction yet
that his sentiments concerning the Occupa-
ton of his youth, and bis attachment to the
landed interest Of his fellow citizens re
main unchanged-and were never hostile
or unfriendly-hear what he himself has
said on the subject, when no motive could
have existed With him for deception or dis.
guise, in the debate in the House of Rep.
rcsentatiyes Of the U States on the goth
January, 1927. Mr.. Pearce in the course
Of his remarks, said
"Sir, will for a moment ask the indul
| gcnce Of the Committee, whilo | advert TO
those other portions ofthe community which
have a direct interest in woollen and othef
manufactures. Upon O fair calculation
and, in fact, from returns as near correct
| ha 10 off hn bnla pk.t aYai
of these United States, 90 in every ~
are engaged in agriculture; and, manufad
uring and commercial as the state which
| represent, is, there is nearly that propT
ton engaged IN agricultural pursuits IL
the State of Rhode Island. What chs
Of the community deserves the protector
and encouragement uf the Gorernlntgi
more than this class And OF an carly ie
Rod of the session had The honor of u
Producing n resolution, calling the atta
ton Of the Committee on Manufactures to
the wool growers. would not give ny
vote TO aid any interest that would ipjUe
this. II has been truly said, they never P
ttlon nor complain, but are patient and qr-
ct under their sufferings, in the worst of
times Our own observations, as well as
the history of our country, show this.
During our restrictive system, our embar.
goes, our non importation acts, and our
war, none suffered more, and mono con
planned less. They were not for rebellion,
because their interests were affected ror
did they array themselves. in opposition 10
the constituted authorities, nor unfurl the
banner Of opposition. On this class Of the
community the primeval curse still remains;
the farmer has still To delvc the earth, and
to work and labor,& live by the sweat of his
brow; the earth is still taxed for great
share of our sustenance, and cannot be cul.
.ivatod by steam power, water power, or
any of the labor saving machines which
modern inventions have introduced; under
the most favorable circumstances, his prof
it's are small, and never sure or certain.
The agrlcultnrists are never forgotten when
the cxigencies of the country require the
aid of its citizens; their lands are pledged
for the nations debt; and, whenever the
tax gatherer, or the tax assessor calls, Their
estates cannot be hidden. or their property
placed under bushel. The farmer by h.,
labor, sustains nearly all; and his property
IL liable to pay all.
Sir, IL this interest is modest and unas
'nming, shall we neglect 1t trust no
For the last five years, no interest has sui
fprcd so much as that of the farmer
Where grain has been, and stlll is, the sta
Dle: where large ilocks Of sheep nre raised
tbc wool growers have incurred heavy ex
penses IN improving their tlocks; and 60
eerv we'll reccollect when merino buct
old for 81 900. ! can very we'll recollcc
the time when wool was sold at from 81 I,
SO per pound. according to quality; wher
by the quantity. the sales were quick at :
and at IS cents. But, slr, how stands til,
case now ? Sheep of the choicest kind are
sold at SO to 81; and focks 81 or S;2 pc
head; wool from 30 To 35 cents per pound |
What interests has Suffered so much, ac
cordng to this statement, fand vouch fn !
the correctness of it, as the wool growers: |
And what interest has better claims on The |
Government for aid and protection? And |
what protection can be given but home |
market? Sir the section OF the country |
which represent. has had its full measure |
of suffrrings. The attention oftho farmer |
has been directed TO The rearing of sheen |
from necessity. Time was when the ten |
ants of the soil and those who rented our |
farms, had other resources; when there was |
n sure market for grain or certain kind, and |
| refer Ia barley, POO, 900 bushels OF which |
were raised in the State Of Rhode Island, and
some of the adjoining counties of another
State, ,-apd whom they were sure Of an abund |
ant harvest For this there is no longer
market, nor arc they any longer able TO raise
it, Cut of from this resource, wool is their
only dependence; deprived of this, many of
our farms would he hardly worth improving
Amidst those privations, they are sufferers
from another circumstance Low as is their I
produce, labor is as high us in the best OF
times. The spirit for internal improvements,
making Of reads, cutting of canals, erection of
Notifications. and the high price Tor seamen,
has driven the farmer 10 the maximum price |
for labor. The calamities and suferinrs To /