Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-04-18

land, consequently, that it does not follow, il
we die not purchase British fabrics, that il
might not be the interest Of England to pur.
chase our raw material of cotton. The Ken.
lucky drover received South Carolina specie
or, taking bills, of the evidences of deposite
in the banks, carried these home, and dispos
ling of them to 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 understands
better than Great Britain.
Nor has the system, which has been the pa.
rent source Of SO much benefit to other part.
of the Union, proved injurious to the cotton
growing country. | cannot speak of South
Carolina itself, where | have never been, with
so much certainty but in other portions OF
the Union in which cotton is grown, especial
those bordering on the Mississippi, can con-
|6dently speak. Ifcotton planting is less prof
liable than it was, that is the result of increas-
ed production; but believe it to be still the
most profitable investment Of capital Of any
branch of business in the United States. And
if committe were raised, with power to send
for persons and papers, take upon myself to
say, that such would be the result of the in
quiry. In Kentucky, | know many individuals
who have Their Cotton plantations below, 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 their success, are
constantly engaging in the business, whilst
scarcely any come from the cotton region toI
engage in wes.ern agriculture. A friend, now
in my eye, member of this body, upon cap
ital of less than seventy thousand dollars, i'll
vested in plantation and slaves, made, the
year before hst, sixteen thousand dollars. A
member of he other House, understand,
who, without removing himself, sent some of
his slaves to Mississippi, made, last year, about
twenty per cent. Two friends of mine, in the
latter State, whose annual income is from thlr
ty to sixty thousand dollars, being DESTROYS to|
curtail their business, have offered estates for
sale, which they are willing to show, by regu-
lar vouchers Of receipt and endorsement, yield
eighteen per cent, per annum. One OF my
most opulent acquaintances, in county ad-
Joining to that in which reside, having mar
ried in Georgia, has derived large portion
of his wealth from cotton estate their situa-
ted.
The loss of the tonnage of Charleston, which
has been dwelt OIL, doesnot proceed from the
tariff; it never had large amount, and it has
not been able to retain what it had, in conse-
quence of the operation of the principle of
free trade on its navigation. Its tonnage has
gone to the more enterprsing and adventur
Gus tars Of the Northern States, with whom
those of the city of Charleston could not
maintain IA successful competition, in the free
dom of the coasting trade existing between
If the l1pInn. That tbiS
must be the true cause, is demonstrated by the
fact, that, however it may be with the port of
Charleston, our coasting tonnage, generally, is
constantly increasing. AS to the foreign tor
age, about one half Of that which is engaged
in the direct trade between Charleston and
Great Britain, is English; proving that the
Tonnage of Charleston cannot maintain itself in
a competition, under the free and equal navi
cation secured by our treaty with that Pow
er.
When gentlemen have succeeded in their
design of an immediate or gradual destruction
of the American System, what is their substl-
tute? Free trade! Free trade? The call
for Free trade, is as unavailing as the cry OF
a spoiled child, in its nurses arms, tor the
moon or stars that glitter in the armament OF
heaven. 1t never has existed; 1t never can
exist. Trade implies, at least, two PARTIES
To be free, it should be fair, equal aud recip
rocal. But if we throw our ports open to the
admission of foreign productions, free OF all
duty, what ports, of any other foreign nation,
shall we find open to the free admission of our
surplus produce? We may break down all
barriers to free trade, on our part, but the
work will not be complete until foreign pow
ers shall have removed theirs. There would
be freedom on one side, and restrictions, pro
hibitions, and exclusions on the other. The
bolts, and the bars, and chains, of all othel
nations, will remain undisturbed. Ii is indeed
possible, that our industry and commerce
would accommodate themselves TO this une
iqual and unjust state of things: for, such il
the fexibility ofour nature, that it bends itsel
to all circumstances. The wretched prisoner
incarcerated in goal, after long time, be
comes reconciled to his solitude, and REGULAR,
notches down the passing days of his confne
ment.
Gentlemen deceive themselves. 1t is not free
trade that they are recommending to our accep
lance. 1t is. 10 effect, the British colonial sys
tenn that we are invited to adopt; and, II theI
Ipolcy prevail, it will lead substantially, to tn
rec ooniv alton of these 6 ,teS under the CONNER