Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-11-17

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protection which the law has provided for
them. The Tariff Law Of 1928 lays
duty Of As per cent. on goods taxed ad
valorem. Mr.. Secretary Rush had a.
bandoned this requisition of the law and
required only that amount on the square
ward, without the additional 10 per cent.
With vicilant and faithful officers, and
with proper directions from the Treasury
Department, Mr.. B said the law as it
existed would be adequate to its end.
When the Tariff of '28 was enacted,
the very difficulty which has ccurred
was anticipatcd-and the convention that
met at Harrisburgh, recommended what
would have entirely prevented it, by
leaving the interval between the mini
NUNS so great, that fraud would have
been mprac.icable-bu Congress re-
jected the suggestion, and introduced an
intermediate minimum of one dollar,
which has produced all the mischief
Mr.. B. concluded by observing that the
manufacturers were unwilling to disturb
the law as it now stood. The growth Of
wool was rapidly extending, and compe-
tiion would soon reduce the price of that
article when this was effected, the ex-
isting law would give sufficient protec-
ton both for wool and woolen goods.
Mr.. COKE srid, the gentleman had
shcwn the abuses, but not the remedy
Two might be proposed: one would be,
to allow the government to take the
goods if the owner was dissatisfied with
the valuation: the other, to value the
goods at the port where they were en-
tered.
Mr.. Brown observed. that the Com
mittee had had that subject under their
consideration. 1t had been suggested
that an adrdiorem duty would remedy
many Of the existing evils; but it was not
The policy of this convention, by suggest
ing remedies, to set the whole subject a.
gain ahoat. If that plan were adopted,
it must be evident that the present rate
of duties would be too high--they would
amount to prohibition. For himself, he
believed the country would be a gamer
by even that: but he did not suppose
such could at present be the opinion of a
majority of the people. Many articles
were now totally prohibhed-especially
chemicals, some Of which with duty of
four cents III. were in market at that
price. 10000 tons of crude birthstone,
and 1000 of salt petre, were imported
last year for the purpose Of manufacture
ing acids, used in the bleaching of cot
ton and the staining OF calico-inciden-
tai branches of trade which had grown
ur out of the system of home industry,
and which enjoyed protection amount
ing to total prohibition. The conyen-
t.vn, however, would not take the ground
Of advocating any alterations or improve
ments of the law: let it only be enforced
and il was sufficient
MIR. COKE asked whether this city of
Newly ork was the only sink of corrup-
ton through which goods came fraudu-
lently into the country? Were they not
50 entered elsewhere? at Boston for in
stance?
MIR. BRowN replied, that there had
been some cases at Baltimore, in one of
which, though a most clear case of fraud,
the jury had been unable to agree. A
few instances had probably also occur
red at Boston-but so rigid was the eX-
animation there, that not $4,000 year
passed the custom-hOuse. II was sell
dom indeed, that an invoice could pass
there. Nor were there many instances,
or any, indeed, that he had heard of, in
Philadelphia. But this city abounded
in British agents-of whom, one man
sold, in single year, more than $780,
600 worth of broadcloths. The same
man had imported 10000 yards in six
months-ofthis amount, IA, 900 had been
entered at the custom-house under the
dollar minimum, and paid duty of Ga
cents only. Being in the trade, Mr. B.
had an opportunity of knowing. The
Jobbers of Boston had bought large guam
titles of him; but all they had bought
were such cloths as cost 9s. sterling
nor did he hear that the person in ques-
ton had any, or, if any, very few to sell
of lower quality. He had examined
his bills, and all the cloths were charged
at from So 80 to S4 %.
The Collector, MIR. B. said, intended,
he did not doubt to do his duty; Ire was
as faithful as any man could be under so
many difficulties. Since the extent of
the frauds had been discovered, he had
ordered all cloths under the dollar mini
mum to the public stores. If they pas
sed now, it must be owing to fault in
the judgment of the appraisers. The
true value would now be known-but
attempts at fraud should be pursued to
condemnation and forfeiture.
Mr.. McCULLocH said he was much
obliged TO the gentleman for the valua-
BILE statements he had made; but must
confess he could not exactly agree with
him i'm the way he had thought the sub