Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-02-16

elusive right, under the charter of the Hud- sons Bay Company; not an individual dare to enter the Indian country to trade, but themselves; whereas, with us, the country is open, as it ought to be, to all it's citizens, which constantly creates opposition in the trade.
 The Hudson's Bay people come on our frontiers, andby means of selling goods cheap, and giving sprituous liquors, they draw cur Indian trade for hundreds of miles from us to them. think, sir, duty of fifteen to twen- ty per cent on all furs, ought to be laid; and do think, that unless it is done, we must give up the trade with the Indians, which am authorized to say, has, by great extortions and expense, been put, aud is at present, on d respectable footing, much more 50 than it ever has been. The American fur company have, tor years past, and now do, employ d capital of million more of dollars. They have notyet been able to declare dividend they require the protection of government, which hope, wllno longer be withheld, and to the attainment of which, take the liber- ty to call on you for your good aid. ask it Hn acc unt of the many young and cntcrpris- ing men engaged in the trade.
 The Hudson's Bay Company divide ten per cent. per annum, and have large surplus on hand. Their stock is at d premium of one hundred and fifty per cent above par. This arises, not from superior management, CT greater exertons oh the part of their people; none can be more sothan our citizens; but 1t IS solely owing to the great advantages which they have, and which have stated.
 am, most respectfully,
 your humble servant,
 JOHN JACOB ASTOR.
 To the Hon. Col. BENTON,
 Washington CHg.
 After reading the Utter, Mir BENTON said, tn the Indian goodsto which the bli relat- ed, were dlscrlminated from all others by the test to which they wtre all subject; so much superhces being required to weigh so many pounds. The bill confurmedto to this test and excluded the possibility of false inportations.
 Leave was then asked to bring in the bill, and granted, and tho bill read.
 A bill to reduce the duties on Indian blankets,
 and certain other Indian goUds; not manu
 factnred in the United States.
 Be H enacted by Inc Senate and t'oase of RehresentattUes ofthe Uaited States of .A- mey,ica, m Congress assembled, that from and after the 30th day of June next, no other, or higher duties shall be levied on Indian blan- kets, stipuds, scarlet cloth, motions, and swanskinS, imported into the United States, of the weight and measure hereinafter men toned. than were levied, or might have been levied on the same, under the provisions of the act approved the 4th ofJuly 1789, entitled an act for laying duty on goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into the U. States" to wit:
 Blankets each, Points. 1t. in. length, 6ft. 0 in width. pounds or more each; 8 Points, lift. in. length, ; 1t. 6 in. width, 5 pounds or more each; Points, it. 0 III. length, 5 it. 0 in. width, 4a pounds or more each; 9 Points, , 1t. length, 1t. III. width, 8 peundsor more; 2 Pont., 4 1t. in. length, 3 II. 6 in. width, 9 p.unds or more; 1a Points, 3 fl. 6 in. length, 3 1t. width, 15 pounds or more.
 Cloths per prices,--Blue stroud, 54 inches width, 20 yds length, to weigh 29 pounds or more: Scarlet cloths, 54 III. width, 20 yds. length, g pounds or more; Melton, 26 m. width, 30 yds. length, 20 pounds or more; Swanskin, go in. width, 46 yds. length, % pounds or more.
 The billwas then ordered to a second rea- ding, and to be printed for the use ofthe Se- nate.
 Washington, Jan. 20.--In the Senate, yes