Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-02-23

dependence markets relieved and stimulated by
the enlarged circulations sf free trade the slug.
xish demand of restricted and depressed commerce
Even in those branches supposed be most in want
Of high duties manufacturers would discover az the
| silk manufacturers in England have done, how much
easier Is to maintain their ground foreign
petition under free trade laws After restrictive com
petition for almost four centuries during which the
French had uniformly maintained triumphant superb
GRITTY, Parliament, In direct opposition TO the clamors OF
the manufacturers, abolished the prohbitory duties ON
French Silks and substituted duty of 80 per cent adj
valorem, for revenue and protection. Instead of that
ruin which was confidently predicted, the consunp-
ton Ut material, the very best evidence of the
growth of the manufacture in five years from
Zl32,2S6 to 4,5it56i pounds annually notwithstanding
French competition. and the positive declarations of the
English manufacturers to the contrary. The statement
Ne IL shcws the rapid and regular progress of the
nuiacture since tho duties the material
and the fabric have been reduced Document
No. Ii proves the rapid advance of British com
merce, industry and wealth, since s-e has acted upon
the principles Of free trade shows the astonishing
influence oil liberal laws iron, "copper" wool wollens
yarn and coons and their tendency onyto acceIe
rate the growth of those articles actually embraced
within their provisions, but incidentally put in motion
every branch of industry whether external internal
They have realized in England what would be discover
cd in every country making the experiment, that the
unrepressed prosperity OF consumers and the free amis
sion oil raw materials, the best for encourag
ing manufactures; and their best stmulant, commerce.
to which the laws have prescribed limited circle
There Is not an interest in the country, which would
not be permanently benefited by aboshing our high
duties, and substituting Interchangeable revenue duty
OF 30 per cent ad valorem; maximum which, after
centuries experience has been ascertaned and
IN 1reat Britain as the safest for the revenue the best
Tor manufactures and the most equitable rate for all
classes and interests. Whenever the change prosesed
may he adopted, ample time will DO afforded for the
consumption oil existing supplies and for the
arrangements Of trade. The committee would, above
all things, desire to avoid Interfering with any esab-
hshed interest We have some high duties, which
not be defended Of procco any branch
OF industry deserving encouragement and which mere
serve 10 ure consumers and enlarge unaw fu trade
nave also others, designed to regulate and control
inc appetites and wants Of couatrymen multi
pIcy oil minute and refined determinations all OF which
arc as unsouni I'm principle they mschievous in
operation and unworthy place in the substantial revo
nue. laws OF an enlightened nation In adjusting per-
manent rate OF duty is also necessary to attend to
ne probable amonnt OF revenue which may be annually
required tor the of Government in time peace
as war practically puts end commercial reciproci
~ and regulates its taxes. There be no doubt
that tariff OF duties, not higher than 30 per cent would
yield greater than if that was exceeded
but were it even otherwise, necessities in peace
could never require higher duty. Before the Pc
Rod whom mutual commerce might, under our promo
sas, he arranged with other nations. our public debt
VIII nave been nearly, perhaps altogether, cxtingushcd
he annual expenditures of the Federal Government will
he reduced, by annuing the sinking fund to an amount
not much exceeding ten millions OF dollars. Our exist
ing lmporauons tor homo consumption amount TO about
sixty millions annually and moderate ad valorem dutv
on that sum, would yield more than equal 10
our wants But, under amuually free intercourse with
oher nations our imports and export would in few
years DC very considerably ncreascd and it is proba
Ole that duty OF ten per cent ad vaorcm OH the oren
merchandise, which would be annually consumed
IN the country, would be, for time to come equal
10 tho leg innate political necessities of the Union I'm
adopting maximum OF 30 per cent. we should there.
lore be far within the limits of any probable
whe that rate would secure to every branch of indus
try all the encouragement which those Interested have
reason to expect from the beraty of the States or The
patriotism OF the American people
ITO be concluded