Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-04

- y. DAVIS.
.'.,,y rsess; ....-...s.............ss per sasam.
Remarks Of ths Hen. DANIEL JE.NIFER, al IA
erening sf ths Convention Of Tobacco Pianisrs 0
fhs Unifsf States, held at Washingion City, De
GENDER IS. 1870
Mr.. JsxIrxR addressed the Convention az FOL
lows;
Nj. President; I presume that the objects 70
Which this Convention has assembled are we'll un
dcrstooj. L am sure that there is member O
this body who does not feel the deep importance o
its action. l satisfied that any course whicl
may be adopted here, il il is such to meet The
general views and express the feelings and the IN
terests OF those whom represent, cannot fail &c
have a deep effect at home well rs abroad. And
SIR, with view to enable the Convention to act ma.
turcly on any question which may be brought be-
lore u, will propose resolution similar to one
which was adopted by the last Convention, APP
pointing committee to consider and report what
measures, in their opinion, it will be most expeiieni
to adopt.
And, sir, before any question is taken, desire to
remark that has been suggested by several friends
members OF this Convention, in whose judgment
place great confidence, that those gentlemen aho
90 disposed should throw out such views and OPT
mons as may have presented themselves TO their
minds, in order that the committee which may be
appoited under this resolution may be in possession
OF all the information requisite TO enable them TO
form just conclusions, and to make such report
may be satisfactory to all.
MIR. President, we have met here now for the
third tmc as the representatives Of the great tobac
co-planting interest OF the country. We have met
here, am happy TO say, under circumstances much
moro favorable than have marked any OF previous
meetings. IL will be recollected that, at early
period IN the year 1887. a convention me, in this
Hall and memoralized Congress on the subject Of
what they considered the grievances Of the tobacco
planters oil the United States. Their memorial was
presented 10 Congress; n committee was appointed
n 70 VA md x,,rt n a..
and the resolutions appended thereto, and adopted
by the House of Representatives, agents were APP
pointed abroad, ministers were constituted, and our
tobacco interests, for the first time in long series
OF years, came to be subject matter of considera-
ton throughout the whole OF Europe. When those
ministers and agents first instructed, they met
with great difficulties and embarrassmenls. Their
reports were unfavorabe to our cause-so much SO,
indeed, that IL considered impolitic that the
ports made To the Department here should be made
public. But, by perseverance our part, and
little energy on the part of our Government here,
and of our agents abroad, matters began to assume
more auspicious appearance; and we are justified
10 asserting chat whenever this question comes to be
understood and considered by the people of the U.
States-whenever they shall become duly impress.
ed with its importance. and shall determine per-
severe IN the furtherAnce OF the Just object in view,
there will be nothing TO be apprehended abroad in
relation 10 its final accomplishment.
various opinions have prevailed throughout the
country IN regard TO the interest Of tobacco its ex
tcHtr OF CITIZENS engaged IN Its prOduc
tion and even IN reference 10 the duties laid upon
IT abroad TO the capacity of other countries to pro-
duee the article, and the capacity of our own to
supply the demandcn the absence of ALI cultivation
ot 1t 10 other countries.
All these matters, Mr.. President, are worthy OF
serious consideration, and will, doubt not, be pre-
scented by the committee in such manner as to be
satisfactory, and TO overcome all the difficulties that
may be connected with them.
have SAID VIC have met here 10 day under cir
FumStancpS fei fbcph ara
because, although IA some instances the representa-
tons of our agents abroad have been disregarded,
yet IN Others they have been listened TO with re.
spect, and have produced favorable effect. In Eng
land the subject is at this time about 10 be brought
under consideration. In Prussia, something at all
events has been accomplished in relation to reduc-
uon OF duties upon rice, and have at least an
indirect promise oil prospective modification Of the
duties upon tobacco.
As regards Sardinia treaty has been made by
which more OF our tobacco will be introduced; and
the quarantine regulations and discriminating du-
Ties have also been done away with, which will give
the direct trade.
As regards Belgium, which, with Holland, for
merry presented the anomalous feature OF placing
heavier duties Maryland tobacco than on that Of
any oiner State OF the Union, by treaty recently
made, but which has not yet been promulged, this
disseminating duty has been done away with. To
tins extent, therefore, benefit has been derived G
We have lately also made treaty with Portugal,
the contents OF which have not yet been promul
ged, but which treaty, far as can learn flor il
has not yet been ratified by the Senate) is also of
favorable character. II, then, were to stop even
there, we should hnd that something has already
been done; and 1t as for this Convention in common
with the Congress OF The United States 10 saw
~hatiurther steps should be adopted TO place this
interest upon proper footing.
without intending To go fully into this subject
for know that there are many gentlemen here pre-
sent who much more competent 10 do ,us,ice IN
u AMI hr,.d 4
Know TO be the course which has hitherto been pur
sued, as we'll as what believe ought TO be the |
course 10 be pursued hereafter. ]
And, in the first place, | will remark in relation
70 lne course which has been pursued abroad thai 4
the impression there made has been that this tobac
co interest was matter Of too little moment seri-
ousiy 10 engage the attention Of the Congress of
the United States, and that were il other wise
The passage OF the act OF 1882, commonly known as
the Compromse Aci, would, at all events prevent
any action being taken ~ the matter until the wear
1872 do not know that there is an individual in
ihis Convention who would desire 10 touch that
act. i do not know that there is a single inJi-
Sidual, in or out Of Congress- who is desrous of
touching that act until IL shall expire by ts own Ii
imitation. merely allude TO it now Tor the pur-
pose OF saying, that, inasmuch rs il is believed
abroad that tins tobacco interest is too small 10 in
duce Congress TO iegislate in regard it, these Cd.
Pressive duties and restrictions have for that yerv
reason, been continued and that there is no hope Of
theIr repeal until It shai be that Congress has
determined TO act upon the subject
In Looking over the whole correspondence which
has taken place abroad, and which was published
az the last session Of CONVERSATIONAL too late 10
be generally dssemnated--ye shall find sufficient
indUeement 10 persevere in our efforts, and sufi.
Gent reason 10 hope that all The difficulties which
obstruct our path may yet be overcome. By refer.
ence TO the correspondence held with our State De-
Partment, we shall find that, as regards those Co
yernments, encouragement is held out 10 US; and
that, as regards those Governments which are not
disposed 10 act in spirit Of reciprocity the means
suggested are to operate by proper iegislation-
When this question Of restriction abroad and coun-
teryailing duties at home was first touched. there
were objections made 10 a recourse to the lat
ter, because it was believed that It might come
IN conflict with the existing Treaties, and be
the means Of continuing what has been de.
nominated the odious tariff Now, 4 must he
permitted 70 repeat the assurance | hive before
expressed, that there man here who desires TO
touch that natter but, ut the same time, every
member OF the Convention must be satisfied that
when their interests thus harshly dealt with
abroad, when these oppressive exactions are impo-
sed upon our American staples, ii is our duty 10
establish CONTRIBUTING any other duties for the
purpose Of bringing such foreign governments 10 ust
and reasonable terms. Does this look like a mani
teFtation Of hostile wal. like measured Surely
not When Mr.. Jefferson was Secretary of State
several years after his mission TO France he placed
this tnatter IN It's proper light The Senate OF the
u. s., NJ the session Of 1885, adopted resoIpt;on
calling on the Secretary Of State ito repor, n. H.
Senate, at the commencement OF the No - ,o..;,.,