Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-01-21
(From tie Globe
IHnrSdnn. .JHnN0rN IL. lci0.

The CHAIR presented the credentials of Daniel
Sturgeon elected Senator of the United States by the
Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania for the term
Of six years. from and after the 4th day of March 1890
which read
Mr. CLAY of Kentucky presented memorial of a
number of manufacturers of cigars the city of Bal
timore praying increase of duty imported cigars
| which referred to the Committee on Manufactures.
Mr.. CLAY of Kentucky presented the memorial OF
committee of the American Silk Society, praying the
aid and patronage of the Government in the printing
and distributing the journal of said society.
In presenting this memorial, Mr.. Clay said while
nm up will remark that in my opinion, there is hard
" production in which this country is engaged which
important TO be duly attended to at this time than
that of silk As agricultural product, it approprl-
ate to all parts of the country. And among the causes
which have occasioned the uneXamplcd state OF dis
tress from which no portion of this wide country IS
exempt which has increased, is increasing, and wish
to God could any hope of its end-at least among
the foreign of this remarkable state OF distress,
unqucstonably that OF purchasing so much abroad
Sir, we must make more home and bring less from
abroad if would remove the Of distress; and
this remark applicable to our own productions IN
every FORM of agriculture well as of fabrication
And in regard to silk itself, look at the facts. For
years past the annual amount of brought into
this country has been S2 000 and year it rose
to 500 O00 and this $l2 100000 is for article
which, if any thing, is for the adornmcntand luxury OF
man. Silk s that article.
Sir no country can long withstand, for which the
annual imports exceed the exports by 600
or 600 And, if was not absolutely power
less, if my friends and myself had any power in the
direction of this Government, ] would tomorrow I'M
pose duty equal TO the maximum which the compro-
mise admits, that is 90 per cent. this import OF
S2 800, 900 in silk. would lay this duty on silk and
with view, in part, to prevent dangerous excess oi
revenue would distribute the annual process of the
sales of the public lands TO the States their own pro-
perty to which they already cntitcd and let this
fund assist them to iqudate their debts and to foster
those great interests which Justly dear to them SO
far as there is now freedom from debt would impose
this duty silk and other Injuries, and if the lands
necessary to the support of this Government,
would distribute the proceeds of the lands among the
States who are entitled to them. But we, AT least
not in the condition to do what have suggested
and therefore | cannot do otherwise than to ask that
this memorial be referred to the Committee on Manu-
features, and printed
| Mr.. CALHOUN said rise to make opposition
to the motion, but to make few remarks connected
with thnaa i"roe which now or chief Importance;
and hope that not much more OF this season VIII pass,
before we shall 70 deeply into that subject The coun-
try is now at point at which it has become of far
more interest than
Sir differ in toto from the Senator from Kentucky
MS to the Of distress; and if am not mistaken,
they are the very opposite of what have been ssgned
To revive the DID, the tried and condemned American
system, would be ruinous IN every branch OF industry
and especially to the manufacturing, agricultural and
commercial interests. The distress which he ascribcs
TO the importation of silk comes from other causes. Tic
looked upon any measure that would, at this time
the credit Of the States as to enable them to
sell more bonds in foreign markets, positively nlu
rous. We ship our credit, and bring in goods hold
the very of what the Senator has indicated
the true policy and hope for early opportunity Of
pointing out that policy, and that at early day we
shall look deep into the subject.
MIR. CLAY This is little unusual, to engage in a
discussion this subject thus before the time, Sir
have proposed or suggested revival of the tariff
further than the compromise alows' Not in the slight
est degree. merely proposed duty on silk, ar
tcle of luxury, entirely consistent with the compro
mise. Sir, what it that proposed: 1t was simply
that the maximum duty of the compromise-that is
twenty per cent.-should be imposed on silk which i:
in way incompatible with the compromise.
And how this nure the manufactures Of cotton
shp-buildng, or any thing else, which nearly
prostrated' The wooen manufacturer at the North il
almost entirely stopped and that of iron itself
the most languishing How can the duty on this lux
ury affect either the manufactures agriculture of the
country: 1t will benefit them for il will directly aic
the manufacture of silk, and if silk is produced
with success, it becomes fit object for importat-'
and it may aid greatly in removing that ruinous
in the balance Of trade, which will crush US o'' uieSs
l the people can rise to their own relief
And the State debts: Sir, should liz 90 Sno" Dy
what right the subject of State debts : SO requen,y
dragged into this Senate and the Sts are mere chueu
and censured as if under SUPERVISION. VINO gives
US jurisdiction them? BY what authofty nave
we the right to say to Pennsylvania or Illinois, OF any
other State you extravaganza you have got INTO oeo'
and we will leave you TO get out as you can. whence
is this rghE Who made it the duty OF the federa
Government 70 give lectures to the State OF getting