Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-07-25
VOL. 36, NO. 4e.-WHOLE NO. Is66.

changed. by the Introduction of Msrino bucks
(ll00) into Buenos Ayres, land suppose into 9TH
er coarse wool reRons,) woods ore brought in
voiced under eight cents that compete with our
merno wool. In I64l, 100000 of pounds eight
cent wool was imported, Of which 100000 camo
from Auenos Ayres. In consequence Of the EN-.
barge oftwo years producing an accumulation Of
three clips, il was probably purchased very low;
yet OF the usual prices there in ordinary times the
low-priced woods must always compete with our
fine woods. 1t should not be forgotten that one
fifth of our feeces may be regarded as coarse
wools
On fine wool, competition is rising and inereas-
ing in various quarters. Australia and the Cupe
OF Good Hope will soon supply England with all
the fine woods necessary for her manufactures.
What she now takes from Spain and Germany
must be thrown on other markets The increase
OF sheep within few years in Hungary, has been
immense. 1t has also been increasing throughout
the whole Of the north of Europe.
But sir, under any degree Of protection, we
must not expect immediate return Of former
prices. We, with all other interests, must await
the return Of general prosperity.
When the time comes for voting on amend
mens, an amendment will be presented, anala-
gous in some respects to the duty proposed by the
report of Mr.. Simmons IN the Senate, VITO
admit long coarse wool costing six cents and uu-
de free OF duty, and all other wool at least twenty
five cent. on a valuation of so cents per pound
perhaps some further protection may be moved
for fine sapied wools This mode has the adj
vantage of simplicity and certainty. Indeed there
many grades and prices, real and nominal,
that any mode other than simple home valua-
ton would he uncertain and illusory.
In regard to wooens unless the minimum
system is adopted, the rate of duty must depend
on the mode of valuation. The bills now under
consideration propose foreign valuation Under
that valuation no rate of duty will afford suffi-
clent protection the amount will depend on for
oil an auh in no on hOusp
Thus far we have wholly failed TO protect the
revenue against the systematic truuds Of foreign
ers Notwithstanding all our vigilance Tor negli-
gence,) we have been unable to keep pace with
foreign frauds. Detected in one artifce, they re-
sort 10 another That these frauds have been
successfully practised is demonstrated by two
facts: first American merchants who purchase
with cash are undersod by foreign importers. Il
is not pretended that they are undersold by snug
ged goods How then is the foreign importer
enabled to undersell the American? Solely, be-
cause, in some way or other, he pays less duties
The second fact is but the consequence OF the
first. The whole VERY nearly,) trade is thrown
into the hands of foreigners. The American
merchant remains here responsible tor custom
house peri ures-ihe foreigner, on the first alarm
can go home.
| wish had time TO refer to the report of the
| honorable gentleman from Massachusetts Mr..
| Adams, when at the head of the Committee on
Manufactures. 1t furnishes ample proof OF the
| frauds in fact. Every one recolleets tho Woods
case | repeat, the foreign valuation on woolens
must he abandoned and minimum or home
valuation substituted. But, sir, the home vaua-
ton has received no favor from the Secretary OF
the Treasury, from either Of the committees
Of this House. As system to be applied to eve
ry ono of the $500 dutiable articles, there are
difficulties, l admit; but on reconsideration,
do not think the system impracticabe. The
greatest difficulties are at the commencement
The difficulties are the same that every merchant
meets on entering new line OF buslness-he has
TO learn and remember prices. But what mer-
chant who has long been in an extensive business
ofbuying or selling thousand d.fferent articles of
merchandise, cannot at any day, and at any hour
ofthe day, tell you the market value Of any article
of his trade ? Without this, what may call
mercantile habitual knowledge, he cannot safely
conduct his business and this knowledge, and
this only extended TO all articles of import, is
qured in the custom house.
In practice register would he made of every
article, with its ascerlained value that being
done, il is only necessary 10 note the changes
In addition to this you must have intelligent and
honest appraisers, and to secure that honesty let
the examination and appraisal be open TO the at.
tendance and agents of the protected interest.
One objection has been 10 the great expense Of
appraisers - that their number must BIO greatly in
creased That increase will depend in a great
measure on the extent 10 which the valuation ia
be adopted for every article that is measured, by
The bushel, by the gallon, by the pound, and by
the yard, where the qualities are similar. This
would reduce the articles to be valued TO a small
number principally woollens and fine cottons.
A very few must be left to a foreign valuation;
such as have no intrinsic value or known value
here.
But admit that the collection of the revenue
would cost 100000 or $4,000 more; and you
have two millions more of revenue annually
But il has been objected that your duties will
not he uniform at different ports or at the same
port. But inequalities now exist-not only from
fraudulent, but even from honest invoices The
mere differences of purchasing for cash or on
credit, max e a difference in duties oten per cent;
one merchant purchases on better terms than an
other. And the foreign manufacturer, when he
imports his goods, settles with himself the price.
inequalities will exs, under any system. linen
ton rs ii decisive proof that great inequalities IN
the foreign value exist in different ports, that
goods imported for the Boston trade have been
entered at New York As TO the different value
between the different ports, such is the rapldty OF
communication between the extremes OF the u
nited States that such inequality cannot long exist
But, sir, il would be no difficult mutter 10 equal
ice value. Let each collector mark the price of
every article on list furnished 10y the Treasury
on the first Monday of every month, Let these
he collecied by the Register; take the annual av-
erage of the whole, and let that be the fixed value
Tor the ensuing year. This would dispose OF
ninety nine hundredIhs ofdutiable articles.
Another safeguard is necessary under any sys-
TEN oc valuation. Every package should be ex-
amined thus cutting off all possibility of coilu-
sion between the importer and the custom house
officers.
On the whole, have come TO this conclusion.
That il we are to have duties laid on valuation,
the home value can be the easiest ascerIaned-
will be the most certain-yield more duties than a
foreign valuation; and is the only valuation that
will give certain protection. But, sir hope The
character Of this bill will be essentially changed;
and modified fully TO sustain all the great in
terests oflhe country.
Its time that this great question should be set
lled-that a permanent system SHOULD De esab-
lished.
Mr.. Everett said he had for some days been
Idesirous to submit some explanations in regard
to tho past relations between the Wing party and
the Executive. The few minutes eit of his hour