Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-08-05
From tie Yfrgini1 Literary Museum,
TIE POLICY OF. ENCOURAGING MANU-
FACTURES.-No ;.


FACTURES.-No. 8.
We place the Manufacturer by the side OF the
rIculturst -.js51rSon
We have now shewn, we think that - the
pisical requisites for manufactures, taken otoIeh-
er, Virginia Is not inferior To Great BrItan-tiat II.
the one band, steam power, Iaoveable machinery,
money, and materials may be obtained OH
better terms in that country "a the other hand,
laad; buildings, water power, abour provisions, and
other raw materials, may be obtained more chchpy
in this state;-,hat on comparing the respective adj
vantages of each country, 1t appears that We ought
with equal skill to manufacture cotton ubrics, OF
average quality, at as low apfice as England; those
of coarse quality, ut u still lower; and wooen
goods at smaller increase OF price than would cost
the English to import them, and that our advantages
over tue northern states arc yet greater than those
wepossess over Great Britain
But as, for the purpose ofconfTmiug views
had cited the opinion of some ofour principal manuac
turcrs, that we ooud manufacture woollens cheap
lyas Crest Britain, if we could procure the
teria as cheap, IL will naturally DE asked IT the cir
cumstance5 OF our country, are so Favourable 10
uiactures, how happened il that the manufacturers
Ut that very time Peioned congtess FOR further pro-
lection wool,ens, when they not only had the ad-
Vantage of the British manufacturer, by the existing
duty, but also by the expense Of mporation' and
that the same class require protection cotton
manufactures in which they have the material Ghea-
per than their foreign competitors? The following
answers to these questions, are furnished By the
manufacturers themselves in the evidence before the
present this country than abroad they thought it
necessary to encourage the raising of sheep at home
by further duty on imported wool, by which IL would
become eventually cheaper, and as this increase of
duty would have the effect of raising the price of do
nestle woollens it would be necessary TO raise the
duty on imported cloth to correspondent extent.
2dy. That strong prejudice existed against cloth
manufactured in this country. Col. Shepherd said
he considered tho preludIces more than twenty five
per cent agaiust the domestic article 3dy. That
the price of manufacturing labour was higher in the
fet establishments from the want of that skill and
management which time and practice would grad
ually supply AS proof of this progressive change.
one witness (Mr. Marlund) stated that he had paid
three dolars FOR weaving piece OF flannel for which
he then paid only one dollar. Another, (Mr. Clapp)
stated that he then paid ten cents yard for Wea-
wing, but had previously paid high as thirty cents
Another, (Mr. Schenck,) that broadclotbs were
made at much less expense than in 1926 'by the in
trolueAon ola variety Of improved and labour saving
machinery 0f which part was 'of American inyer.
urged, reason for an increase of duty the Glcf-
dtons Of the domestic market, caused by irregular
and excessive imporatons, and producing, occasion
ally, great embarrassment and loss TO the domestic
manufacturers whose capitals rarely sufficient to
enable them to keep their manufactures out of the
ket when they depressed below the natural price
the cost of production. These disadvantages are
manifestly OF temporary character, and the manu-
facturer1 alege that they would be all either reno.
we'd or greatly diminished by further protection
Surprising them to be right there is no inconsistent
cy between the present relative dcdrneSJ OF Amcnca
manufactures and their future chenpness How far
the evils complained of are likely to be lessened by
the protection they solicit, will be hereafter consd-
cred.
Some Of the preceding considerations may be
thought TO apply 10 the continuance of the duty on
cotton fabrics. On this subject, MIR. Dexter of Mas
sachusets, said j think the manufacture of coarse
cottone in this country, il SO well established
that we could maize them, if the present minimum
was reduced think, If the present minimum was re-
pcaled, thai the foreign cotons, of this description
would, for time, in, and would greatly inIuro
for while, all our manufactures; but this, think
would be done Mt loss to the foreign manufac-
turer. Some Of our manufacturers would be mile
eventually, to sustain themselves, because think
they afVord the article about rs cheap as il
can be afforded from England. This reduction,
would, however, create contest between the Amer
lean capital invested in these manufactures and the
foreign, which would in my opinion, rain Of our
establishments, and compel all, for time to sustain
themselves at loss. For these reasons do not
think, tho present minimum ought 10 be repealed
Having thus examined the objection founded on
the supposed deaIness of labour aud want Of capital
in this country. let consider the second objection
founded on he disnioantages Of sl,tUe trJour.
u IS true that the slave has not the same interest
m practising the sapl9 Of steady industry or
the same economy or foresight, as those who are sti-
mulated 10 provide for family, and TO better their
condition Of lie. He is urged by the strongest i'm.
pulses OF his nature to be indolent and imprOyideni
aud u rs the constant attention 10 little savings tai
constitutes the profit OF many ernployments II !.
equally true that the neat income of country If
which the labonr is performed by slaves is far les.
than who's it is performed by industrious freemen
Tho difference in the progressive adyancernent o
Virginia and the Carolinas from that Of New Yorl
sud Pennsylvania, or Of Ohio from Kentucky m,
Tennessee, are too striking TO leave room for doub
on this kobsect
ButR tic pernicious influence Of slavery on notion
nj wealth hos not been overrated, the precise character
Of the mischief j. ohen mistaken. II slave com
monty prrtorlns lcss work for being slow, he some
times performs more Fear produces the same effect
on him as more generous motives cn the free man.
Nor u he insensible TO other motives He may be
tn ~ ~ rewards Heis no, inecnsb!e to emu
fse' ih' frcc # habt Although