Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-05-01
Friday, april "A, lao.
IN GEN ATE

forucd (RCmainder IN our ncTt
F1i1 1y ext q lao.
Mr. BUCHANAN presented petition from Jonathan
II Cobb, of Dedham, and Samuel ooDb OF Needhain
Massachusetts, manufacturers OF SILK, praying that
dutv may be imposed on imported foreign silks
MIR B said that it had been demonstrated by expert
ence that our SOIL our climate and our dry atmosphere
were peculiarly ada pied to the production o!sk With
this experience before our eyes, our country presented
the stanoc he was about TO say absurd spectacle OF ad
mittino the importation of foreign silks free of duty
This was done at n time when our revenues were not
equal to the expenses of the Government, and we were
actually borrowing money to supply the deic'cncy-
new issue of Treasury notes might have been alto
Gethcr avoided had not in time imposed moderate
revenue duty on this article Of luxury Such duty
would have offered, and would now afford, incidental
cncoura cement to the production OF silk branch OF
industry now struggling into existence not only with
out the aid but in direct opposition to the existing Po-
licy of our laws He could see no good reason why
revenue duty should not be imposed upon this article
at the present session of Congress, while, as mere re-
venue measure, there were many good reasons Tor an
immediate action Not only had we lost the amount OF
revenue which would have resulted from direct duty
upon this article, but, by construction of the laws
which Congress never intended had lost very large
sums Of money incidentally.
There could be policy more wise than that OF va
rving our productions. This would essentially conrI-
butte to check the amount OF foreign Inporta-
The memorial states that in the year 1896, required
the whole exports of the Union, with the exception OF
cotton and an addition of eight millions IN cash. to
nav for the importation Of silk alone. Was not such
statement sufficient to carry conviction to any mind;
All the products of agriculture, except cotton, OF ma
nuiac,urcs and Of the fisheries which we exported,
were exhausted in the purchase of foreign silks, and
eight millions Of dollars required to supply the
deficiency, What would the civilized world think OF
such folly:
Mr. B. continued his remarks and went nlo a his
tory Of the compromise act to show that 1t did not con-
fict with duty being laid upon silk and concluded
BY observing that his sole oh lcct was 10 place the
amount of the reduction of duties under the compro
mise act clearly before his constituents and the coun
try.
an article which ought to bear its due share Of duties
but he was at the same time unwilling that it should
be peculiar object of burden. II was, indeed, an ar
ticle of luxury, but it was one IN which the staple
States had deep interest Silks and wine constitute
the great articles OF exchange with France for our cot
ton rice and tobacco If this should be hurdcned with
heavy duties then importation would be proportions
bly, diminished, and, with that dlmnuton, there would
be corresponding falling oil in the exports of our sta
pie articles France accompanied by like heavy loss
the portion OF the country producing them france
was country of great and growing consumption and
the intercourse with ought to be favored as lar as the
wants of the Treasury would permit. 1t was not his
wish to any particular preference IN favor OF
silk nor he willing to make II the subject OF nne-
dual burden II seemed to be the views of some that
Injuries ought to be subject to high duties because they
were luxurcs and nccessarcs, because they required
protection against foreign competitions and thus, be-
tween them in danger of the system OF high du-
ties with all its disastrous consequences. Gentlemen
OUGHT 10 be compelled 10 take choice or stand their
ground For his part if left to his choice, his iavortc
system would be to lay the duties on Injuries to the
exclusion Of neccssarlcs, but he well knew that, IN
that event, he would have to encounter powerful IN
tcrcst-too powerful probably 10 be ovcrccmc-but he
must nsis, that he should not be imposed from the
same quarter with this double and contradictory course
Of argument He hoped that this and all other ques
lions connected with The tariff would be permitted 10
rest for the present He both willing and anxious
to have the whole subject re-adjuse at this session,
but it seemed to be determined that it should he post
poned till the next He had acquesccd, but he was
unwilling that gentlemen should take up favorite art-
eles in advance either to impose or repeal duties IL
did moi seem to him fair, and might embarraxs the re-
neral adjustment at the coming session
The memorial was referred TO the Committee Fl
nance.
The bill providing for the reduction and graduation
of the price Of the public lands was read third tune,
and passed BY The following vote
ifaS-Messrs Allen, Anderson, Benton, Buchanan,
Clay of Ala, Cuthbcrt, Fulton, Grundy Henderson,
Hubbard, King, Linn, Lumpkn, Mouton, Nicholas,
Norvell, Pierce, Porter, Robinson, Sewer Smith of In
diana, Sturgeon, Tappan, Walker, White, Williams,
Wright, ioung-2c.
vavs-Messrs. Brown, Calhoun, Clayton, Crittcn-
den, Dixon, Knight, Merrck, Preston-s.
Having disposed tthe private bills on their calendar,
The Senate adjourned till Monday next
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
CIVIL APPROPRIATIONS BILL"
The House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole (Alr CASEY in the Chair and took mp the civil
and diplomatic bill.
Mr. ATHERTON of New Hampshire then resumed
the floor, and continued and completed his speech on
the general appropriation BILL rather the general
politics of the country, and aspect of the Presidential
field He concluded at about two clock, when the
Speaker gave the floor to
Mr.. MASON of Ohio, who addressed the committee
until half past five o'clock, i'll vIndcaon of the cha
racter of General Harrison, especially with reference
to the charge of selling white into slavery, and in
extended reply to the remarks of MIR. Anterior.
MIR. MORGAN followed, with some interesting facts
and connected with the old Federal party; and
afterwards launched off in general remarks on the
past and present Administrations Mr.. NJ. spoke until
I o'clock.
The debate was continued by Mr.. RARlDEN, in
some remarks, the general tendency of which was to
fix the responsibility Of the failure procure aPpro
pration for the Cumberland road.
Mr.. CLIFFORD then obtained the floor, but gave
way to
Mr. CALHOUN of Massachusetts, who, after refer,
ring to the state of the atmosphere the exposure OF The
health of the members thcrcfrom, and the lmpossblltv
of getting The bill out of the committee tonight moved
that the committee rise.
On which motion there appeared, ayes 26, noes 10
(No quorum votng)
And the committee then rose, and the Chairman
ported that fact to the House
Mr.. EVANS rose, and was proceeding TO show the
mpossblty of passing the bill through the committee
to- night, because he said there many amendments
to be reported from the Committee of Ways and
Means, which would require consideration, and mus,
give rise to debate.
Mr. VANDERPOEL inquired of the Chair what
! mn, ion hrture the IIousr;
| The SPEAKER said there was none
Mr. EANDERPOEL hoped the gentleman would
then make his motion at once.
! Mr. EVANS said he about to do so
Mr.. VANDERPOEL. Then make your motion
before you hang speech on it.
Mr. EVANS claimed the floor. He then moved a
call of the House, and said he should proceed TO de-
bate that motion.
The SPEAKER said the gentleman must confne
himself strictly to that point
| MIR. EVANS proceeded TO say that, if there were
other amendments which would and ought to be de
bated he was unwilling that thew should be passed