Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-02-23
COMMUNICATIONS.
SULPITIUS-No. 5.
To The Editor of The alexandria 6azetts.

II il not incorrect 10 recommend revision
eg the tariff, and by the advice Of a committee
az merchants and manufacturers. The maxi>
mum Of duties calculated 20 produce no more
Than ID nett incums of % millions; to reach That
sum fur.ipu commerce will pay 81 or more
,nillions--a burden sufficiently favorable to
causs a regular advancemeh, OF naive industry;
and ina, Ought TO give satisfaction 10 the a'u
zaus Of this country, a revenue of p millions,
will NV the public debt, provide for the COM
moa defence, aud accommodate internal trade
yi,h the consebisnces of roads aud canal na'i
r,,ion The accomplishment Of what is so ex
client. will be no violation OF that rule OF mr.
Iteration which has ad IN inis,ered so successful
!, the Concerns of this distinguished republic
On revision OF the tariff, il may b discovered
that some minor manufactures have reached 10
such sta,e Of s,abilit, as 10 need little pro'ec
tien from law II there be any such, as Tar as
,hey are interested, foreign trade might, by q
dimiuuiion Of duty, have some relief, and those
lass perfect have the aid Of an Increased pro
tec,inn. While considering the tariff, legisla
ton will be well rewarded by successful en-
deayor Of establishing All American commercial
policy by uniformity Of Law, and SO correctly
devised az preclude the necessity Of ever re-
lying on treaty negotiation, which has never
been consisten, or satisfactory. The law de-
clarins the impss', should De considered 10 hr
4. regulation preferred by legisla ion TO all ma
,ions--leaving TO them to reciprocate; asking
from none more han is granted 10 all or to any
one. Should il ever be necessary to raise the
duties either for the benefit OF the Treasury or
70 protect manafaCtu'es, ar 20 reduce the du-
ties, for the encouragement of foreign COM
MERGE il will be easily dons to suit either oh.
iect, BY adding or taking of per cen'sge-
Such 4 regulation would do svav the necessity
of the CT al srifr Of diplomacy and OF uea'y,
bartering for equality in commerce; and II is
what the Constitution INTENDED should b., by
giving to Congress The exclusive right TO rrgu.
late foreign commerce; and i, is right no. 10
be maesged By executive diplomacy. To med
die wi,h il, the right 10 make ireaues gives no
authority All il can do is, TO recommend to
Congress to amend or modify the CONNER eial
law, aud il should ask tina; before there shall be
aues,y stipulation, making il necessary o pre-
serve The faith Of an executive contract, by The
repeal, or of mot6ca ion by legislative en-.
ac,ment Before Mr.. McLane went away, in
sttuc,ed to agree, by ueaty,a modification OF The
tariff the consen, Of Congress should have bren
had; aud if he shall, for an open or for mSli
Grated limited trade with the British colonies,
s,ipula,e by The faith Of a treaty a reduction OF
duties To- a minimum satisfactory 10 the British,
il Will be al indisc rejion deserving s,yers ad-
moniion, and To be uusparingly administered
BY the representatives OF the people. Ii the
treaty should not be repugnaut 10 American
prosperity, that should not prevent the ind'g
nation Of the Repre- sentaliYes, or prevent them
To aeciln. to modify he commercial law. To
psu wits any righ, OF Legislation. is u sfrious
matter; and il is llkely no Executive influence,
or any supposed common good, will induce
Congress ever 10 do so; nor can there be sny
mode Of surres5ering right Of constitutional
legislation more sxcep'ionable, Than to yield i,
TO the assuming and presuminc pre- ension Of
the Eek, cui'e. /, has no mare right to declare
var, or to raise a revenue by q treaty, Than to
regulate foreign commerce by one Should
MIR McLanr contract, by = treaty, a reduction
Of the tariff duties, as soon 50 IL shall he raii.
fed il wil be a common favor granted to all ma
tons. Britain can take nothing bv it-ah other
nations may not. 10 have the British colonial
trade. fav0rs win be granted to all nations, whr
Their they are or are not in accordance with our
interest; and the right TO make treaties will BE-
converted into right usurping the comp,e
hensivrness Of the Legislature over the gener al
welfare Before Mr. McIane shall venture 10
sign a treaty, Altering the tariff regulation Of
foreign commerce-new the nations CONNER
eial law, and made SO by The authority OF the
power aud wisdom Of a patriotic Representa-
tive legislature, aud by The approval Of an sx.
?erisnced oxecutiye-he ought 10 send the pro>
tocol TO the Presidsn,, to be laid before Con
gress Tor consideration. To act otherwise, will
be rudely irreversnt 10 The prudcn, wisdom Of
estimable egisla'urs-esteemed by their cons,i-
tuents, and admired by the cousid-ra,e and ia
teigen,; and this he will not do, il his inStruc-
lions do not make him
The visit Of Mr.. NcLane TO England, If ru-
NOR il no, false, is a "apchance game OF high
and low, or brag hazard, thai no statesman
would venture 10 play At, if common sense had
influence on thei, designs, or common pruden.e
regulated their Intentions, vi il uIedesirr pre-
dominated over he vanity Of party presump-
iio., deiishiins To chang or 10 undo what
their Or edec, sssrs had well done. The friends
Of State prereusions viii, win the cid Of
Parry Executive, continue 10 prosecute de-
,srmined opposition to the policy OF protecting