Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-07-03
DEBATE I'm THE SENATE.
PROSPECTIVE PRE-EMPTION BILL.
lM'. Clay's remarks concluded
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, lS4l.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, lS4l.
Mr.. CLAY again addressed the Senate, in
continuation of his speech of yesterday:
tits not my intention to infict upon the
Senate even recapitulation of the heads
of argument which had the honor to adj
dress to it yesterday. On one collateral
point desire to supply an omission as to
the trade between this country and France.
| stated the fact that, according to the re-
turns of the imports and exports, there ex-
listed an unfayorable balance against the
United States, amounting, exclusively of
what is re-exported, to seventeen millions
of dollars; but omitted another important
fact, namely, that, by the laws of France,
there is imposed on the raw material I'M
ported into that kingdom duty of twenty
francs on every hundred killogrammes,
equal to about two cents per pound on
American cotton, at the present market
price. Now what is the fact as to the COM
parative rate of duties in the two coun-
tries! France imposes on the raw product
(which is the mere commencement of value
in articles which when wrought and finally
touched, will be worth two or three hundred
folD duty of near twenty-five per cent.
while we admit, free of duty, or with nom-
inal duties, costly luxuries, the product of
French industry and taste, wholly unsuscep-
tible of any additional value by any exer-
ton of American skill and industry. In
any thing have said on this occasion, no
thing is further from my intention than to
utter one word unfriendly to France. On
the contrary, it has been always my de-
sire to see our trade with France increased
and extended upon terms of reciprocal ben
eft. With that view, was in favor of an
arrangement in the tariff of 1882, by which
silks imported into the United States from
beyond the Cape of Good Hope were
charged with duty'of ten per cent. high
or than those brought from France and
countries this side Of the Cape, especially
to encourage the commerce with France.
While speaking of France, allow me to
make an observation, although it has no i'm
mediate OF legitimate conneXlon with any
thing before the Senate. 1t is to embrace
the opportunity of expressing my deep re-
eret at sentiment attributed by the public
journals to highly distinguished and esti-
mable countryman of ours in another part
of the Capitol, which implied doubt as to
the validity of the title of Louis Philippe to
the Throne of France, inasmuch as it was
neither acquired by conquest nor descent,
and raising question as to his being the
lawful monarch of the French people. 1t
appears to me that, after the memorable rev.
olution of July, in which our ilustrous and
lamented friend, Lafayette, bore part so
eminent and effectual; and the subsequent
hearty acquiescence of all France in the es-
tablishment of the Orleans branch of the
house of Bourbon upon the throne, the pres
ent King has as good title to his Crown
as any of the other sovereigns of Europe
have to theirs, and quite as good as any
which force or the mere circumstance OF
birth could confer. And, if an individual
SO humble and at such distance as l am
might be allowed to express an opinion or
the public concerns ofanother country anC
another hemisphere, would add that nc
Chief Magistrate of any nation, amidst diff
ficulties, public and personal, the most com
plicated and appalling, could have governed
with more ability, wisdom, and firmnes
than have been displayed by Louis Philippe
All cristendom owes him an acknowledge
ment for his recent successful efforts to pre-
vent a war which would have been dis
graceful to Christian Europa war ari
sing from the inordinate pretentions of al
upstart Mahometan Pacha, rebel agains
his lawful sovereign and usurper of hi
rights-a war which, if once lighted up
must have involved all Europe, and have lee
to consequences which it is impossible t.
foresee.
return to the subject Immediately be
fore us.
In tracing the history of that portion o
our public domain which was acquired b,
the war of the Revolution, we should al
ways recollect the danger to the peace an
harmony among the members of the con
federacy with which it was pregnant
,arcnnntnd fnr u Lnnn linn the raIiIca Iinn o