Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-27
.oany March 81, Isl2.
WASHINGTON. l5,h Ami. ia

" Aolll-NO 4 p.Ns l9ln Anrl, l-i2.
Gentlemen-l have received by the hands Of the
HonorabIeN. p. Tallmadge, the communication
which you DID me the honor 10 transmit TO him for
me- on the 3lsi ultiuo; and have perused Il with
lively and grateful sensblity. Such a testimonial
proceeding from a source highly distinguished and
respected, presented at the clio OF my public lie
will be cherished by me- IN my retirement with the
highest subtraction, and will add great strength 10
the consciousness feel that in all the public sta.
tons 10 which have been called, have honestly
lahored faithfully TO perform my whole duty 10
the public.
In the brief bu, ALTERING review, which Won
have taken OF my public career, you have Justly
conceived the motives OF my conduct. With re.
spect 10 the measures themselves, TO tho adoption
of which may have contributed. will not under.
take 10 pronounce any decisive Judgment OF their
influence upon the interests, the honor ard the
character a. the nation the present generauon and
posterity, u recollection Of my agency IN matur.
ing them snail survive me, and will be the most
competent and impartial Judges Of them and OF me
/ but you have truly attributed 10 a genuine
/ American spirit, IN whatever concern | have had
] IN pubic affairs md especially IN reference TO
/ great system Of National policy.
DIVIDED as mankind are, ever have been, and
viii continue 10 be, into distinct nations IL IS tho
solemn duty Of each, whilst u deals Justly and u
beraI.y towards others, constantly and sedu.ously
| 70 advance protect and maintain its own separate
Interests To attempt 70 legisa,e for them, or 10
/ expect or permit them 20 egisinte for Va would he
, Ike vain and improper
IL was view Of this condition Of the world nd
instructed ny Lessons or experience drawn from lis
history, and the practice Of other natorF that enrv
led me TO conclusion IN favor OF the Protect on OF
the Domestic Industry Of our own Country Nv
convictions have acquired additional strength, from
! every reflection could give the subject and from
| both past and present experience in the United
Stntes.-Ffee ride is a beautiful vision existing
only IN tho Imagination Of philosophers and theor.
ists, and practically repudiated by oil nations An
indispensable condition to the adoption Of H. bv
any one nation, IL rs adoption by all. But instead
Of regulating their trade, according 10 that theory
We every where behold restrictions, burdens. and
prohibitions. And those nations which make The
nearest approximation 70 J.. are in the leas, pros
porous STATE. During the nst nine years about
one half Of our imports have been admitted free Of
duty, and as 70 the other mo.eiy descending scale
oi duties has been IN progress, which is now rapid
" bringing them down. lf there were any reality
m he boastfu promises Of the partisans or free
trade our country ought, nt this moment 20 he In
the enjoyment Of an enviabie prosperity. But
directly the reverse - rs melancholy condition.
Never were the products Of Agriculture selling o.,
more dsroufaging prices; and the great Southern
staple OF cotton, which was 10 have been 50 hi-hly
{ benefited by reduction n duties Is now sold at
price 'essihan 70 has commanded atuny tine since
. the asst war with Great Britain.
: Nothing cas- be more erroneous Than to suppose
me existence Of my reaI compatibility between
me interests Of Agriculture. Commerce and Manu-.
lectures conflict between them would be lust
as unnatural and absurd, as between tho members
OF me human body. Each prospcrs most when all
OF them flourish. Agriculture requires but little
protection, because ts position secures Il against
much iofeign competitions or, rather, protection 70
Commerce ond Minufncturcs is the best form of Al.
fording protection 10 Agriculture.
Without diversity IN the occupations Of society.
II oil are engaged m common pursuit, there can
be no subjects produced Tor mutual domestic ex-
changes, and consequently no Horne market by lar
The best, most steady, in War and Peace, and most
valuable of OIL markets.
| VIZ shall not fear, rise from our present emtar.
rossed condition until VIC produce, within our own
country moro II the supplies necessary 10 con-.
sumption, ond depend less upon Foreign Countries.
Unul hat object IS accomplished, we shall be con.
/ SANITY exposed 10 an cxhaustng drain Of the pre-
c'ous meal5 and 10 sudden alterations Of delusive
! prosperity and real adversely. One Of The obyoug
modes Of accomplishing that object IS the regulation
! oil our Foreign trade by means OF properly cd
| lusted lauh stimulating production Of home and
| dimlnishng mporauons from abroad. And all
experience has shown that, on whatever object our
manuiaclurng industry has been successfully en-
ployed, lts price 20 the consumer has been almost
invariably reduced. This Is the necessary effect Of
the law Of competition
The question ~ sometimes asked how the Manu
isciurer can be benefited Ivy m increase Of duties,
II the eject be 10 reduce rucesf The answer is that
he - benefited by obtaining possess Of create
extent VI home market, api by the greater ;lsadil