Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-11-20
From the Enquirer.


It may he within the recollection of the
reader, that on the 9th inst. published an arti-
Gle front the Charleston papers, containing
tract of a letter from Mr. Littell of Philadelphia,
TO Gen. Hayne, under date of the 2ad October.
1t seems that Mr.. L., who is Strong adv6cate Of
Free Trade; repaired to Washington "as soon as
the President has returned from his journey, to
ascertain from himself and from the Secretary of
the Treasury, whether there was in reality a hope
for redress of the grievances which are
strongly resented b5 the South, but which press
with equal weight upof rs" Mr.. y. Says he
found the President 'JuILy NTH the South UPON the
general principle and ready and willing TO cary it
INTO effect with little delay as a prudent caution
against precipitate changes will admit" MIR. l.:
adds: $40 the Secretary of the Treasury, shew-
ed the ProIet OF sincere patriot, Tor the pcrma-
neht settlement Of this Question, upoa a basis
which think ought to DC satisfactory to both part
ies---and in supporting Which, the ddrocafes of
Free Trnde Mould compromise no constitutional
principle Without reservation he expressed his
entire appreciation of the principle upon which it
was founded"
Anxious TO know upon what tcrlhs this tered
question might be settled in the opinion of Mr. H.,
and particularly amidst the storm which seems ga
thering from South Caroline took the liberty
of addressing line to him. requesting some inform
alton upon The projet he had submitted. lie has
been kind enough to make the following replF-
which lay before our readers for their Consider
alton:
To the Editors of the Enquirer.
DEAR SIRs-I have received your letter of The
9th, and very gladly avail myself of the opporun'-
ty of offering TO the public, under such favourable
auspices, plan for settling the controversy which
has led so many good men, in all parts of the
try, into the sin of desparng Of the Republic.
The friends of Free Trade and the true American
system, in the Middle and Eastern States, have
through tive long storm looked to the South for
their abcst pilots Surely these will not desert
their posts, that the clouds breaking and
the wind changing. The good ship, the Constitu.
ton, is sound yet, and will carry all safe into
portland although cannot sail fast as we
wish, we shall get into smooth water sooner If we
"donr give up the ship" than by taking TO the
loDg-boat..
Tariff, to be free from constitutional sb.
lectons should ultimately and certainly return TO
the revenue scale; and even in its progress to that
state, should not rest upon preference Of one kind
OF industry 10 others.-And yet there strong
reasons why the change from tho present system
| should be gradual.
The following is sketch OF the projst alluded 10
in my letter to Gen. Hayne, through the Charles
| ton Patriot:
TO reconcile, if il be possible, the contradictory
dIfiiculties-to avoid giving up the principle for
which the South contends, and yet to avoid sud.
den change it is proposed to enact
That on the first Of January, 1882 all duties
higher than 15 per cent. ad valorem, DO reduced by
ore sixth Of the excess over l5Per cent.
/ That the first Of January, 1894, they be fur
| thUr reduced by the amount--aDd so be redu-
ced from year 10 year, till at the end Of five years
| there shall be no duty higher than 10 psr cent:
| Provided, That this reduction shall not take Of.
feet upon the produce or manufacture Of any Euro.
pean nation, which will not admit the produce and
manufactures Of the United States at correspond
ing duties.
That the President Of United States DO requested
to send copy Of this act to all ministers of the
United States, with ipstructions to lay the samo
before the people courts TO which they arc sent
| Advantages Of this plan:
1t will restore peace to the South for there is M
| constitutional objection IN IT,
IL Pots the true American System feIth to th,