The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-05-06

ne WOulu nave had 10 pay Dut lOT this TAX or
duty.
In Other words, when the importer pays the two
hundred dollars 10 the Government, he charges it,
with his interest and profit upon it, in his price to
the retailer, and when the retailer pays the mpor-
ter, he, the retailer, also charges the same two
hundred dollars, with the importers and with his
own interest and profit upon it, in his price to the
farmer; the importer and retailer having, in the
end done nothing more than adpance the two hun
dred dollars to the Government for the farmer,
who, when he buys the coffee, pays, in the price
of it, tn two hundred dollars back to them, to-
ge,her with the interest and profits which both
have charged and made upon it.
The tariff duty is called an indirect tax. 1t is
called so, because it is taken out Of the pockets Of
the people by such roundabout and secret pro-
cess, that they thrown off their guard, and pay
it, oppressive as it often is, without even noticing
the fact that they pay any at all. For this lea
son, have attempted to trace this 81, and slippery
tax, which is every where felt, But nowhere seen,
through its crcuilous passage from the hands of the
people to the Golfers Of the Government and the
merchants.
And now, sir, having done this as well as could,
having shown that the farmer has paid price.
sixth higher for the coffee than he would have
paid but for this tax it is important next to show;
first, what is the final aggregate price he pays;
secondly what is the one-sixh part of that aggre-
gate; and thirdly, where that sixth part goes, in
what proportions it is divided between the public
Treasury, the Government officers, and the impor-
ting and retail merchants.
And first, what is the aggregate cost Of the coffee
10 the farmer; That cost is SiIieen hundred and
serenity t,ro dollars, and is made up Of four items,
as follows:
First. The original cost Of the coffee to the impor-
ter, where purchased $1,000
Second. The tariff duty of twenty per cent
paid on the above, by the importer 10
| the Government. 200
| Third. The interest al six per cent, on the
shove two sums, calculated for one year
from the time the duty is paid, and enters
| into the price of the coffee, until the cof
| fee is sold to the farmer ~
Fourth The joint profit of the importer
and retailer, estimated Oh the 81 200
which the coffee cost them at the rate Of
thirty-lree and one-,hrd per cent which
| is less than the average profit on nler-
chandise, and which in this instance a.
| mounts TO 400
These four items added together, show the -
| final oggrogata cost 1.-THE coffee to the
farmer, to be as before stated $l,672
| In the next place what is the one sixth part Of
this aggregate-the part which the farmer plays
solely in consequence of this tariff,
The answer S27s, Sc
And lastly, where does this sixth part 90, and
in what proportions to those that receive? The
answer is, into the public Treasury in part, and
in part into the pockets OF Government officers,
and the other part INTO me hands oil the merchants.
And this it does in the following proportions.
First. The public Treasury receives $50 90
Second. The Government officers and
agents (and here 1t to be Remembered
| that there are, OF these officers and agents
no less than between three and four hun
bred in, and connected with; the single
custom house al Tie CITY OF New YORK;
| get for and in the process of collecting
this duty, as Is shown by olhcia estimates
hitherto made, upon an average, per
cent. on the gross sum OF revenue coec-
| ted and which, on this gross sum OF $500
paid, as duty on the coffee, amounts
TO ~ W
| Third. The importing ana retail mer-
chants receive, in interest and profit, out
of the two hundred and seventy eight
dollars and siyty-six CENTS all the bal
ance, which is IS GO
The two last named sums received by tho
Government officers and the merchants,
amour, together TO 9s sc
And thus, sir, it is manifest, that the Govern
ment, in order to get $50 of nett revenue into
the Treasury, has, by this tariff duty on the coffee
to impose upon the farmer tax Of S27S G6, of
which sos 66 cents is dead loss TO him, without
any equivalent OF an excuse.
If Than !, he ,rue. os hive certainly moved
il TO be-if in order 10 get $50 dollars of net,
reyonne into ,bo Treosn,v. The Governmen, has
to ;mnosc' nv tariff duties tax. of two hundred
and SEVENTY cicht dollars and syty.six cents upon
the people. wiai amount oftar riH il hrre each
neot IN ;m,osc I'm ,nriF dnties in order 10 ret in
10 The Treasuyu The three millions of melt rereaue
IN sn,,,,Jn Tho Ilacs of three ,oiIliops onnuaU,
d,tyibu;sy2
TN ,his mpor,on, question the answer il four
m;lons siy hundred and Gorty. -four thousand three
hundred md ,b;r,v three doors and thirty three
.on,a arJ cr,c,inn Tb;s ia , oues,ion oc f,nros
'o'''' "" ',"'' 80 " -. %, ~