Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-04-13

SUING year ne Iouhu lnat ne had to give two
prices for it and he declared il that were the
patriotism on which the resolutions were
based, he would not conform 10 them, and
in point of fact laid in his annual stock Of
pork by purchase from the first passing Ken
lucky drover.
That trade, now partially resumed, was
maintained by the sale of Western produc-
tons, on the one side, and Carolina money
on the other. From that condition oft, the
gentleman from South Carolina might have
drawn this conclusion, that an advantageous
trade may exist, although one OF the PARTIES
10 pays in specie for the productions hich
he purchases from the other and, conse-
quently, that 1t does not follow, if we did not
purchase British fabrics, that it mightnot be
the interest of England to purchase our raw
material of cotton. The Kentucky droyer
received the South Carolina specie, or la
king bills, or the evidences OF dsposiie in
the banks, carried these home, and diSposine
OF them 10 the merchant, he brought out
goods, of foreign or domestic manufacture,
in return. Such is the circuitous nature OF
trade and remittance which no nation under
stands better than G.. Britain.
Nor has the system, which has been the
parent source of SO much benefit to other
parts Of the Union, proved Injurious to the
South Carolina itself, where have never
been, with so much certainty; but of other
portions of the Union in which cotton is
grown, especially those bordering on the
Mississippi, | can confidently speak. If
cotton planting is less profitable than it was,
that is the result Of increased production
but believe it to be still the most profitable
investment OF capital of any branch of bust
ness in the United States. And if a COM
mittee were raised, with power to send for
persons and papers, | take upon myself 10
say, that such would be the result of the en-
quiry. In Kentucky, l know many indi-
viduals who have their cotton plantations be-
low, and retain their residence in that State,
where they remain during the sickly season;
and they are all, believe, without exception,
doing well. Others, tempted by the sue
cess ARE constan fly engaging in the business,
whilst scarcely any come from the cotton
region 10 engage in western agriculture A
friend, now In my eye, member of this bo-
dy, upon capital OF less than seventy thou
sand dollars, invested in plantation and
slaves, made, the year before last, sixteen
thousand dollars. A member OF the other
House, understand, who, without rcmov-
ing himself, sent some of his slaves TO Mis-
sissippi, made, last year, about twenty per
cent. Two friends of mine, in the latter
State, whose annual income is from thirty 10
sixty thousand dollars, being DESTROYS 10 cur
tail their business, have offered estates for
sale, which they are willing TO show by reg
ular vouchers of receipt and disbursement,
yield eighteen per cent. per annum. One of
my most opulent acquaintance, in a county
adjoining to that in which reside, having
married in Georgia, has derived large por-
ton of his wealth from cotton estate there
situated
The loss Of the tonnage of Charleston,
which has been dwelt on, does not proceed
from the tariff it never had very large "a
mount, and it has not been able 10 retain
what it had, in consequence of the operation
OF the principle of free tradeo its navigation.
Its tonnage has gone 10 the more enterpriS-
ing and adventurous tars Of the Northern
States, with whomthose oflhe city of Charles
ton could not maintain a successful COMPETE
ton, in the freedom ofthe coasting trade eX-
listing between the different parts of the I'm
ion. Thai this must be the true cause, is
demonstrated by the fact, that, however it
may be with the port of Charleston our coast
ing tonnage. generality is constantly increas-
ing. As TO the foreign tonnage, about one
half OF that which is engaged in the direct
trade between Charleston and Great Britain,
IS English ; proving that the tonnage of ).
Carolina cannot maintain itself in compe-
tition under the free and equal navigation Sc
cured by a treaty with that Power
When gentlemen have succeeded in their
design of an immediate or gradual destIuc-
ton olthe American System, what is their
substitute? Free trade Free trade The
call for free trade, is as unavailing as the
cry Of a spoiled child, in lis nurses arms, for
the moon or the stars that glitter in the firma-
ment Of heaven. IL never has existed il
never will exist. Trade implies, at least,
two parties. To be free, 1t should be fair,
equal and reciprocal But if we throw our
ports wide open to the admission of foreign
productions, free Of all duty, what ports, Of
any foreign nation, shall we find open 10 the
free admission OF our surplus produce? We
may break down all barriers Of Free trade. |
on our part, but the work will not be com
plete until foreign Powers have removed
theirs. There would be freedom on one
side, and restrictions, prohibitions, and ex-
illusions on the other. The bolts, and the
bars, and the chains, Of all other nations, will
remain undisturbed 1t is, indeed possible, |
that our industry and commerce would &C
commodate themselve 10 this unequal and
unjust state Of things for, such is the hexi- /
bility Of our nature, that it bends itself 10 all
circumstances. The wretched prisoner, in |
generated in a gaol, after long time, be-
comes reconciled to his solitude, and regu-
larry notches down the passing days oil his |
confinement
Gentlemen deceive Themselves It's not
free trade that they are recommending 10 our
acceptance. Itis, in effect, the British CO.
lonial system that we are invited TO adOpt
af,A Ia s-st1 col.