Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-01-26
6,O68, and the third it sunk

| uoWH 10 y ,lfl!
The time has arrived when the inquiry
ought 10 be seriously made, whether it be
not practicable to arrest this illegitimate
course of trade, and secure the faithful
execution of the laws. No time could be
more suitable than that at which it is con-
tcmplated to make great reduction of
the public revenue. Two radical chan
gcs have presented themselves to nv
mind, and which will now suggest for
consideration and investigation. On such
subject, | would, however, seek from
the mercantile community and practical
men, all the light which they are so ca
pable Of aifording, and should be reluc-,
tant to act on my own convictions, how
ever strong.
The first is to make a total change in
the place of valuation. Now the valua-
ton is made in Foreign Countries. We
fix the duties, and we leave to foreign
ers to assess the value on articles paying
ad valorem duties. That is,we prescribe
the rule, and leave its execution to the
foreigner. This is an anomaly, l believe
peculiar to this country. 1t is evident
that the amount of duty payable OH Civ
en- article subject to an ad valorem duty,
may be effected as much by the fixatioD
ofthe value, as by the specification ofthe
duty. And, for all practical purposes, it
would be just as safe to retain to ourselves
the ascertainment of the value, and leave
to the foreigner to prescribe the duty, as
it is to reserve to ourselves the right to-
declare the duty and allow to him the
privilege to assess the value.
The effect of this vicious condition Of
the law has been to throw almost the
whole import trade of the country, as to-
some important articles, into the hands Of
the forei igner. Ihave been informed that
seven-eighths of the importation of wool
lens into the port of Newly York, where
more is received than in all the other
ports of the United States together, are
in his hands. This has not proceeded
from any want of enterprise intelligence,
or capital, on the part of the American
merchant; for, in these particulars, he is
surpassed by the merchant of no country.
1t has resulted from his probty, his char
acter, and his respect to the laws and in
stitutons Of his country-a respect which
does not influence the foreigner. / am
aware that it is made by law, the duty of
the appraiser to ascertain the value ofthe
goods in certain cases. But what is his
chief guide? 1t is the foreign invoice,
made by whom he knows not certainly by
no person responsible to our laws. And,
if its fairness be contested, they will
bring you carloads Of certificates and
aflidavits from unknown persons to vcri-I
fy its exactness, and the first cost of the
article.
Now, sir, it seems to me that this is a
state ofthings to which we should prompt
ly apply an efficacious remedy, and no
other appears to me, but that of taking
into our own hands both parts Of the ope-
ration, the ascertainment Of the value as
we'll as the duty to be paid on the goods
IL it be said that we might have, in DIFF
ferent ports, different rules, the answer
is, that there could be no diversity great
er than that to which we are liable from
the fact of the valuation being now made
in all the ports of foreign countries from
which we make our importations. And
that it is better to have the valuation
made by persons, responsible to our own
Government, and regulated by one head,
than by unknown foreigners, standing un-
der no responsibility whatever to us.
The other change to which allude,
is to reduce the credits allowed for the
payment of duties and to render them u
inform. 1t would be better, if not inju-
rious to commerce, to abolish them alto
gether. Now we have various periods
of credit graduated according to the dis
tance of the foreign port, and the nature
of the trade. These credits operate as
so much capital on which the foreign
merchant can sometimes make several
adventures before the arrival Of the day
of payment. There is no reciprocal ad-
vantage afforded to the American mer-
chant, believe, in any foreign port
AS we shall probably abolish or reduce
greatly the duties on all articles imported
from beyond the Cape of Good Hope, OH
which the longest credits are allowed,
the moment would seem to be proptious
for restricting the other credits in such
manner, that whilst they afforded rea-
sonabe facility to the merchant, they
should not supply the foreigner at the in
stance of the public, with capital for his
mercantile operations. If the laws can
be strictly enforced, and some such alter
atoms as have been suggested, can be
carried into effect, it is quite proba bable
that a satisfactory reduction may be
made of the duties upon some ofthe art-
cles falling within the system Of protec-
tion. And, without imparng its princi-
pie, other modes Of relief may possibly