Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-17
P0LHTECAg.
From The National MtcluSenccr.

1t WIZ DO seen That it does not affirm the unconSti.
tuonai;y ofthc Tariifaws, but only SUGGESTS them
To DO contrary To tho spirit of tho Constitution.
Their unconsttutionality can only bc maintained
by pcrvcrsion of reasoning and Il total disregard
oial testimony To bclicrc il belief because of
lmpoSsihility. The constitr'iona.y ofthc protcc-
non afforded to homo manufactures by duties o,,
imports was indeed never seriously questioned un-
I'll oIlatc years. When our Government went into
operation 1T was the first thing thought of not on
~ by Congress, but By tho People and by the Pco-
pic, too, OF diife-cut parts OF the Union. The
great work which we nov have in the press, Nhc
"AmcricHn State Papcrs,O contains numerous
proofs OF tins fact. We have before us ut this mo-
Tont copy OF the first petition ever presented to
congress- which was on the iltl day OF April $50.
1t was from the people Of Baltimore, and bears TIN,
signature ofsovrral hundred citizens, of whom few
besides tho present venerable Senator from Mary
land, V'cn SiG:th,) now survives. 1t sccms to s
to ne OF sufficient interest at the present moment
to justify crliimg the attention OF our readers to
hby copying it entire. Here it is:
10 a., President and Congress of the United
States, the petition Of the tradeSmcn, mechaa:cs
dia others, Of fhe to-a cf Baltimore hu,nj!y shc,r
etk:
"That since the clesc of the late war, and the
eoUPlelion OF the Revolution, your petitioners have
observed with FERROUS regret, the manufacturing
ana trading interests of the country rapidly decln-
ing, whle tho wealth of the people hath been prodi
galiy expended in the purchase of those articles
from foreigners which citizens, if properly en-
couraged, we're fully competent to furnish.
$40 check this growing evil, applcations were
made by petitions, to some of tho State Lcgisla-
lures: these guardians of the people, in several of
the States, intcrposed their authority: laws were
by them enacted, with the Tiew of subduing, or at
least diminishing the rage for foreign, and of en-
couri@ing domestic manufactures; but the event
hath clearly demonstrated, 10 all ranks OF men, that
no ctecual provision could reasonably be expect
cd, until ono uniform efficient government should
peryade this wide-cxtcnded country.
Tic happy period having arrived when the
United States are placed in new situation: when
sovereign Legislature the sole and exclusive power
OF laying duties upon imports; your petitioners re-
)"ce at the prospect this affords them that Amer
ca freed from the commercial shuckles which have
so long bound her, will sec and pursue her true
interest, becoming independent iii fact as well as in
name; and thoy confidently hope, that the cncorr-
o9oment and protection of Ancricaa manufactures
WI. c'"i the earliest attention OF the supreme I.c-
g's!aturc of the nation; it is an universally ac
knowlcdgcd truth, that the United States contain
"Hnih Their limits, resources amply sufficient to
enable them To become great manufacturing
sonntry, and only want the patronage and support
CT 4 wise, energetic government.
lnur Ptmltontfs CONCEIVE It unnecessary mu,il ly
a'e'm'ns TO 80 enl shrmrd body The csc hey have
h"" the honor # addressing, rouv nee nci Of The
riofrley and Importance OF auendi'g measu es go np
N""sy necessary, and indeed, spcrs ,lir: as every
member must have observed aud ldientcd the presen,
ne'anchop sa'e of his coun'ry the nu ter Of ser 400,
ircreasrg for of emLoyment; fore gn debts arc
m"tang houses and land, ,!eprccAtinp m walk trade
ShH manufactures ldngishng and exp ring Ills benz,
faint sketch of tie gloomy rc,uta ms o,,,. -
us is 10 the supreme Legislature the United S,a,ee
as The guardians Of he Whole empire tina: ever ev.
now direced from their united wisdom their patriotism
''hef ardent I've OF their Country, your peioners es
Pfct ia detive that AID and assistance which alone can
Hpae ,hrif Jurt appehcdsJns, md animate them with
hopes ct success IN future, by imposing on all foreign ST
'c'cS, '.ich can he ilade IN america suCh duties
give just aud decided preference their isbCrs and
thereby dncoumienancmg that trade which tends so ma
'er'aly 10 nJure them, and impoversh their country:
ard which may also, III their qucnces Contribute 10
me discharge OF The national debt, and the support @!
Government
four petitioners take liberty to annex lis, Of such
articles as are or can he, manufactured this place on
moderate terus and tey humlv trust that YOU will tu
" cons'ier their .eqnest ans grant them i'll common
"ith the other mechanics ard manufacturers Of tho Un
proper" iT>"'
t'lere follows, in the original list OF articles manu-
inc'nfen m The C"y Of Baltimore, and STATE OF Mary
lahi, winch II does rot seem necessary copy
sech was the language of that day, and such
the view which the patriots who carried the couII
try through the Revolution tool. Of the nature and
objects of the General Government and the first
thing which they expected Congress to attend to
was ''THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND PROTECTION OF
AMERICAN N MANUFACTURERS" ny tariff Of duties ON
foreign goods imported Yet at this day it IS
gravcly maintained, and indeed solcInnly resolved
ai'er lapse OF forty-two years, that the tariff is
unconstitutional!
Just one week after the above petition, another
was presented TO Congress from citizens of New
York, from which the following is extracted:
"Your petitioners that counrrymen have
h5en de"Grd 10y an appearance of plenty by the prou.
sion o foreign articles which has Gergcd the County:
ana Nus have mistaken excessive impOTat for -four
ishmg trade. To this deception they iupu'e the cntr-
uance Of that imn'odera,e pr:posscs>iua favor OF for
egn commodities which has been the principal cause Of
theiT .STcssc-, aud tn. subject Of their complaint
"Eehred by their irules- eNer'ons vour upti'ipncr
haze long lacked forward with anxiety for the establish
merit Of government which would have power 10 check
the growing evil, and extend protecting hand 10 the
interests If commerce and the arts Such a government
IS now eSabithed. On the promuga ion OF the cnusii-
tnhn just now commencing its operations, your pcou
e' dscoTe6cd in lis principles the remedy winch they
hr" long and earnestly desired they embraced II
" ardor, and have suppore it with pcrssvering al
iachmeut They view with the highest satisfaction the
prospects now opening ana adjoining this co,,s Pc
rod To your honorable body the mechanics and nanu
ced that, the united voice Of America furnished
you wih the means, your k,owlgiss of the common
wan'' has given you the spirit unind etteTs and
Eeacue county from disgrace and ruin"
few days afterwards, another petition was
presented from the inhabitants of Boston, of which
the following is extract:
'.icur petitioners need net IN, Congress that on
the revival c our mechanical and features de
pend c wealth and prosperity OF tho Northern States
Tor "a" we orbcar mentioning your hGnos that the
Cit OF these StcS c0ncGi;C object Of heir indie
p.'s &c but half Obtained till those national pun oses
established permanent and extensive bs sis nv
the elslare Of the Federal Gov, ruupni. Uule,
these important branches supported hurubly con
csiye that agriculture gtestl nclinP tire i'm
rOreTshed state of our ~ eventually lessen the
demand for the produce OF our lands"
"fom petitioners formerly rTDpCcurrd IN. payonars
Of ibis STATE Legislature. in Their laying duties and
fohiuors on certain articles Cf manufacture ch en-
cottages your petitioners cu"csi that heavy Gul,r.
may he laid on such articles u.cd by orr
own CT zc1s, huny coucejvug that The inast IS no,
soIsy considered by Congress object revenue