Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-13


pounds; of this quantity, duty only paid on 22,
100000 Of pounds. The balance being snuggled-
"llcncc it was, Mr. Stevenson says, that the commits
soners of the revenue, their recent report 10 the
Government, declared, that the suppression of SNUG
CLING tobacco cannot be eieclnally provided against,
efeep w rcmoring tie cansc, ei= tic elecssasc rate u
aaty Again, Mr.. Stevenson says, "ndeed, the Chan
ceor OF the ESchequer expressly sald that he had no
difficulty IN declaring, that the present duty OF three
shnss was infinitely higher, than any Just policy
would sanction The President Of the Board of Trade
also sad that he admitted the force Of the opinion
had referred to, as expressed by him in lo3G3, when
he submitted to Parliament (as one of the ministers
the government plan for the reduction of this duty
on tobacco These opinions lie still entertained, and
was dcsrous OF seeing carried into operation. "They
admitted that with an Overlooking Treasury there
no duty al Customs IN which her Majesty government
would be much pleased to make the experiment, as
that tobacco; such, however, not the condition
of their Treasury al s time. ssl}o,l therefore, CON
Cured in opinion, that the experiment Of reducing the
present high duty was very desirable, well in rela-
ton To the interests Of the United States, those
Of Great Britain. They said They wished they could
entertain the hope that it would be in the power Of their
government 10 do at early day, but Of this they
could give they begged me- however, 10 be
satisfied, that if Il possible, they would be ready
aud wiling could be 10 make the experiment
"he Chancellor of the Exchequer my last interview,
emphalcay assured me tina, lie would not lose sigh: OF
the subject but that the moment III his power he
would submit plan Tor the reduction 10 parliament.
Whle, therefore, there little hope oi any speedy
acceptable change the subject We have at least
gained in much, that the present system is admitted
TO be ndelensble upon general principles, and favor.
able opportunity only wanted To get rid Of it, This
fatter myself, under the influence Of the enlightened
and liberal principles Of the age, may Be looked to-
an event than probable
Extracts Of 4 similar bearing might be multiplied
from the foregoing letters as well from the
nI nfi. Ihp fran 1uIp ~
with Sardinia in lS9, b. representative Of this Co.
vcrnment acting under instructions IN regard 10 tobacco,
has not been without lis effects already. lis removal
Of the transit duties has opened the interior TO our to-
bacco and | understand, that during the three first
quarter. Of the last year. three cargves Of tohacco
amounting TO over thousand hhds, received at
Genoa, although none had been sent directly there
from The L $ before. Al the instance Of Mr. Miles,
who concluded the treaty with Sardinia, Austria dur
n9 the year repealed modified her quarantine
regulations al the port Of Trieste, which had en-
bsrrass-d trade with that pnpuous empire, 10
leave l:il, direct intercourse between The effects
If which have been considerable increase IN the mum
Der Of cargocs sent 10 that port: consisting 81 cotton and
other articles including tobacco. In addition, learn
that the Austrian Government has manifested dspo
stcn 10 take larger quantity Of our tobacco, after tie
example Of France. These may be looked OH small
beginnings, but, taken together with the manner our re-
have been received every where else, are
far from dlscouraging.
Gentlemen ask, VIII you not cease 10 appear ~ the
Justice and magnanimty of governments it is Sir
matter oftrade between independent nations, and must
be managed the principles OF trade, by appealing to
their interests and not to their fears. Why are your
ministers stationed foreign courts VIII you aban
don all negotiation, when you cannot succeed at
once, Then call in your nisers from every court;
and give from this Capitol law 10 the other nations
of the world, to which they must Immediately con-
form, or lie threatened with retaliation, non.inier.
course, reprisal, and the final resort Has
tins been the policy Of our fathers, Did We abandon
negotiation the first failure of the attempts, going
through series Of. years. to obtain indemnity Tor
French, Neapol,an, and other spnat,ons, which sue
ceedpd at last Did abandon negotiations, IN the
various with England and other coun.
All Of them did not finally fail, or result IN war
The long controversies on the colonial trade, were
adjusted not until so, by Mr. McLlnr arrangement;
we have &c, questions pending with England, which
have from the date Of our Independence been sub
jects Of negotiation. VIII you suddenly stop negotia-
ton. hope not until war is, il it mustb be, inevitable
The digest Of commercial regulations, abundantly
show the value of what has been achieved and what
NAV be expected from foreign negotiation. Al
thou much remains be done, yet lis progress has
been steady and considerable, removing the number
less restrictions which embarrassed our infant trade
Our liberal policy las had its influence on other ma
tons and much has been effected towards lis propaga-
ton among them. The old system one foppres-
sive Notwithstanding WITH and attempting I" re-
ruate almost every occupation Of the people, but II
has been yielding, BY little and little, to the liberal spi-
rit Of the age In nothing is the present period more
distinguished than for the rapid progress OF the primer
pies OF free trade Scarcely treaty has been made in
Europe for tie last ten years, without yielding some
homage 10 those glorious principles.
The Secretary Of State, in his report commercial
privileges and restrictions, made 10 the last Congress,
say that "hcse prohibitions and restrictions however,
although affecting seriously our agricultural, mari
time, manufacturing and mechanical industry, can
no, be rightiuly regarded evidences OF hostility, ou
are to be imputed 10 that erroneous policy winch seeks
10 establish the prosperity OF whole community
bv burdenng the mass, Tor the purpose OF securing
unnatural profits 10 selected portions Of lis productive
industry The success Of our efforts IN the advancement
of liberal principles Of intercourse has been snc, as TO
Justify Il hope that may, by constant adherence 10
the true principles OF political economy, and The use oi
the means fairly within reach be useful IN correc-
ton OF the opinions this subject, winch now form
the great barrier a universal unrestricted, ana ad'
yan:arcous interchange Of the varied commodities OF the
civilized world.
An mus, bs aware Of the fact, that high duties,
and restrictions have become subjects oil
intense interest and enlightened discussion throughout
all Europe The errors and impo!lcy Of the old system
IN regard to them must become papable and whenever
they do they viii pc mtgated or abandoned, no matter
under what form Of government they exist.
Had not already occupied so much timc would
here road an article on the effects Of free trade III Swift
zerand lately written BY able writer, on the spot II
torcby illustrates the superior prosperity oil S"it-
2rani under lis free trade system, the surround
ing countries possessing higher natural advantages,
I'M l,hnr,r under the existence of rigorous systems
Of. protective restriction. The former country IN The
i5s, NJ the restrictive policy Of lis neghors, Wlhoh'
retaliation renders her peculiar advantages, i,'eH u
they arc available the utmost whist the latter by
their protective legislation, rcpress or divert rom
,c,r anpropriae employment, the superior natural en-
downrn,s ilcy have been blessed with, and nre III a
much worse condition.
It,sto the comparative freedom ofindustry and trade,
,ha,,hcr : owes their unexamplcd progress Mott
miserable banking systems, monopoes and protective
restrictions There be liberty unless labor IS Tree
Take away the freedom Of industry, which We hoped
was guaranteed by Institutions and you steal from
them their brightest gcm. Cease not to afford your
example and 10 extend your influence 10 break the
CHAINS which have bound the sncws Of agriculture for
ares, aud reduced The lot Of the husbandman I'm many
parts Of the WORLD To that Of slave. 10 emanc'paie
industry and trade from the letters which governments
have imposed, under the Gelusive names 81 protection
and retaliation would be a revolution in the affairs "i
mankind, attended with greater and happier results
than any human event recorded in history.
With freedom Of domestic industry and reciprocal