Litchfield enquirer., 1833-03-21

more than 90 per cent. and those which are
free, by the act Of 1889, may pay duty, but
less than 90 per cent. All such remain at
their present rates.
In case, however, a deficiency of revenue
should occur, prior to June 1919, such def
cheney may be supplied by raising to 90 per
cent. the duties on articles subject to a less
rate than 90 per cent. And in case of an ex-
cess Of revenue, such excess may be removed
nv reducing or removing the duties on all ar
ticlps subject to n less rate than 90 Der cent.
This provision will operate on articles not pro-
tectCd.
If Mr.. Clay's bill! should remain unaltered,
after l84g, the protection of agriculture. ma.
nufactures, and generally the products Of do
nestle industry, will consist Of cash duty,
of twenty per cent. on the value of imported
fabrics, at the port where entered.
Conn. Couront.
The tollo,Cing is the concluding part of the
speech of Mr.. Webster on the Bill to provide
for the Collection Of tie Reuenue:-
The honorable gentleman, sir, from South
Carolina, has referred to two incidents con-
nected with the proceedings Of the Conyen-
ton at Philadelphia, which he thinks are ey-
dence to show that the power Of protecting
manufactures, by laying duties, aud by com
mercial regulations, was not intended to be
given by Congress. The first is, as he saws,
that a power to protect manufactures was
expressly proposed, but not granted. think,
sir. the gentleman is quite mistaken in rela-
ton to this part of the proceedings of the
Convention. The whole history of the &C.
currence to which he alludes is simply this
Towards the conclusion Of the Convention,
after the provisions Of the constitution had
been mainly agreed upon, after the power to
Law duties and the power to regulate COM
merce had both been granted, long list of
propositions was made, and referred to the
committee, containing various miscellaneous
powers, some or all Of which it was thought
might be properly vested in Congress-
Among these, was power to establish uni
versity; to grant charters of incorporation;
to regulate stage coaches on the post roads;
and also the power to which the gentleman
refers, and which is expressedin these words
ITO establish public institutions, rewards,
and immunities, for the promotion Of agricul-
ture, commerce, trades, and manufactured
The committee made no report ON this or
various other propositions in the same list
But the only inference from this omission is,
that neither the committee nor the Conven-
ton thought it proper to authorize Congress
to establish public institutions, regards and
in,munities" for the promotion of manufac-
lures, and other interests. The Convention
supposed it had done enough, at any rate it
had done all it intended, when it had given to
Congress, in general terms, the power to lay
imposts and the power to regulate trade. 1t
is not to be argued, from its omission to give
more. that it meant to take back what it had
already given. 1t had given the imPost pow
er it had given the regulation of trade; and
it did not deem it necessary to give the fur
Their and distinct power of establishing public
institutions.
The other fact, sir, on which the gentleman
relies, is the declaration of Mr.. Martin, to the
Legislature of Maryland. The gentleman
supposes Mr.. Martin to have urged against
the constitution that it did not contain the
power of protection. But, if the gentleman
will look again at what MIR. Martin said, he
will find, think, that what Mr.. Martin COM
planned Of was, that the constitution, by its
prohibitions on the States, had taken away
from the States themselves the power of pro-
tecling their own manufactures by duties on
imports. This is undoubtedly true; but
find no expression Of MIR. Martin intimating
that the constitution had not conferred on
Congress the same power which it had thus
taken from the States.
But. sir, let us go to the first Congress let
us look in upon this and the other House, at
the first session of their organization.
We see 10 both houses men distinguished
among the trainers, friends, and advocates. of
the constitution. We see 10 both those who
had drawn, discussed, and matured the in
strument in the Convention. explained and
defended it before the people, and were DOW
elected members of Congress to put the new
Government into motion. and to carry the
powers of the constitution into beneficial exc
cutiOn.
At the head ofthe Government was Wash
ington himself, who had been President of
the Convention, and in his cabinet were 9TH
ers most thoroughly acquainted with the his
tory of the constitution, and distinguished for
the part taken in its discussion.
1t these persons were not acquainted with
the meaning Of the constitution; if they did
not understand the work of their own hands,
VINO can understand it, or who shall now in
terpret it to us?
Sir, the volume which records the proceed
ings and debates of the frst session Of the
House OF Representatives, lies before me. /
open it, and find that, having provided for
the administration ofthe necessary oaths, the
very FIRST measure proposed for consideration
u.s. the laying of imposts; and in the very first
Committee of the Whole into which the
House OF Representatives ever resolved itself.
on this its earliest snh;ac% onl :,.L: "a. $50