The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-28
IN SENATE,
FRIDAY, Aug. 81, IS4l

FRIDAY, Aug. 81 IS4l.
The PRESIDENT presented the proceedings Of a
meeting OF citizens of Washington, with regard to
the dsoderly proceedings near the President House.
the night ensuing the veto Of the Bank bill which
were laid on the table, and ordered To be printed.
The bill from the House making appropriations for
the funeral expenses Of William Henry Harrison,
twice read and referred TO the committee the
District Of Columbia.
The bill from the House making appropriations for
the Post Office Department was twice read and re-
ferred to the Committee Post Offices and Post
Roads.
The resolution for the distribution of the returns Of
the 9th census, was taken up, and the amendment of
the House concarred in and also additional amend
ment increasing the number of copies.
REVENUE BILL
The bill from the House, relating to duties and
drawbacks, was announced az the general order and
after conversation, taken up.
The amendments of the committee were first in
order The first of these, TO take from the list Of
articles exempted from the proposed duty, Of twenty
per cent, the following; "gold and silver and other
watches, and parts of watches, gold and silver lace
and embroidery, laces of thread, silk, cotton, and
all articles composed wholly chiefly ofgoId silver
gems and precious stones pearls of all kinds when set
jewelry, and including paste" (The effect Of the
amendment is TO expose these to the duty of twenty
per cent?
MIR CLAY, of Kentucky, said that the committee
after consideration had thought best that the rate Of
duty these articles should be increased. They
articles which were liable to be Struggled and
ION this cause, he did not know an increase of du-
~ on them would produce revenue than the pre-
sent rates. They had had various petitions on the
subject some desiring, others opposing increase Of
duty these articles. But most Of the persons deal
ing in them were extremely anxious that they should
be subjected 10 higher duty and moreover, he be-
eved that economical considerations required high
er duty on them for the purpose Of revenue. 1t
from this that the committee had proposed the
on which WA the Senate n decide
MIR. WRIGHT doubted the propriety ofthe amend
men, from feeling TO favor the articles by exempt
ing them from duty, but from representations Of some
of the largest dealers in these articles in New York
that a 20 per cent duty them would not yield as
much revenue as duty of IL - per cent; ami that
this would not yield much duty of five or six
per cent. They based this opinion on the ground,
that these being articles of very great value and of
small compass, very likely to be smuggled and
would be almost entirely if the duty increased.
package of Is or Is inches square, might be worth
five six thousand dollars, and might be smugglcd
beyond the possibility of detection This increase of
duty would make established system of smuggling
these articles and thus entirely derange the trade and
destroy those men who had too much principle to
into this system He should therefore vote against
the amendment
Mr.. CLAY said the amendment would be disposed
Of as the Senate thought proper he would however,
ask the yeas and nays it was question which had
created considerable excitement that the opinions of
Senators might be seen. The committee had had be-
fore them when this matter under consideration,
intelligent dealers in these articles, who de-
cidedly in favor of an increase of the duty. He had
told them he believed 1t would encourage smuggling,
and not add TO the revenue; but they believed they
could prevent this. They knew the principal impoi-
tiers Of these goods ard they intended TO make an ar
rangcment among the dealers throughout the country
to assist the Collector in detecting the smuggling that
might be committed and bringing those engaged In II
to punishment. Under this consideration, he believed
il would operate beneGcialy 10 increase the duty
These articles produced but little duty any rate and
they had proposed this increase on them their ex.
emlton from duty the cause Of dissatisac-
ton throughout the country it believed these
tices He hoped the provision would be retained, but it
was for the Senate 10 decide. He asked the yeas and
nays on the amendment; which ordered
Mr.. CALHOUN said he thought the Senator from
Kentucky would that, they were not prepared
for the consideration of the bill 1t would be better 10
put il till Monday, to tomorrow; let some time
be fixed, and they could have opportunity to examine
it, lie agreed with the Senator that il important
TO give satisfaction TO the people but the best manner
to do this to 90 and do their duty. He opposed
putting the duty these articles, for, however vigi-
LIANT the dealers might be, they could not prevent
smuggling. They would be entirely struggled, il
the duty were % per cent. He would do what was
right and il any one would move it, he would vote to
reduce the duty 10 per cent, and we should then
raise more revenue from them. lie hoped the Senator
would put over the subject till tomorrow.
| MIR CLAY said he merely proposed to commence
the work now, and take the question on the amend
| ments of the Committee The question this was
plain and every Senator must understand il, 1t was