Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-11

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emigtation 10 the new, of their Industrious labor
ing Population, t~hieh must soon be followed by
Their whole population, except the ofiee-hoders;)
or as u there could be no virtue, or happine or
comfort. except in the Western forests OF in the
public Offices. AID yet, Notwithstanding the bliss
iul prospects in the West. which are 40 glow ngly
portrayed by orators and writers to the suffering
| laborers Of the old States, We have abundant evi
denee that agriculture there is prohtless rs manu-
lectures here; and very much rom the same causes.
we have no foreign market, for other nations will
not allow us theirs, for the prod uelon OF eithor-
while we divide with them markets for both
inc opponents OF protective duties insist that the
duty ON foreign goods is no tax on the producer
but - wholly paid by the consumcr; and vet the
same description Of persons have been aborius Tor
hall century to procure, by negotiation. retalia
ton and commercial restrictions, reduction of the
foreign duties, by any of the powers Of Europe
even the pettiest principates, towns and islands
upon our tobacco, wheat, aud other breadstuff,
and, within few moths past, We have seen much
rejoicing among them, and doubtless with sufficient
cause, produced by slight reduction OF the English
duty upon the Rec OF South Carolina. Indeed,
from the foundation Of our Government, until this
subject was made unhappiy to involve questions
o party interest, there was no div sion OF opinion IN
tho country about the policy OF cncuurn gng our do
mestic manufactures; or that OF procuring the ad.
mission OF our agricultural products, on moderate
duties, into the ports Of Europe. Our oldest citi
zens well recollect the formation Of agricultural
soclatons, with the laubablo purpose Of promoting
| foreign Indebtedness, and to produce, within our
| selves, the general necessaries OF life. Until this
spirit shall return, until the policy which sprung
from It shall he restored We may look in vain for the
| return ofour ancient prosperity.
But your memorialists do not mean to ask that
duties shall be levied Foreign Goods for the solo
purpose OF protecting the domestic manufacturers;
they do not ask that larger amount shall be levied
| than the wants OF the government, honestly and
| economically administered, will require and thew
lu hall he Int,
IN order To increase that upon other articles; but
they do ask that sufficient amount shall be Judi
cously levied Tor oil the purposes of revenue; and
that IN DONG THIS, such determinations may be made,
as viii more eitectually protect the domestic indus
try and institutions ot our country from ptostraton
by the combined effects Of the ovcrgrown wealth OF
European capitalists, and the extreme poverty of
their operatives, aided aud increased 10y the ampl G
and uneeaslng protection afforded to them by their
governments, against all foreign competition in their
own markets
Your memoralistS further represent that the dis
triOuton OF tho proceeds of the sales of Public
Lands among the several States as now directed by
law, will IN their opinion tend TO relieve all classe,
OF the community. Most OF the States, aud Virsi.
MIA especially. arc burthcned with direct taxes or
property, which many, and particularly those o.
moderate means, find Il inconvenient 10 pay; and
from which this fund will afford them important re-
lief. The collection OF State taxes on property
costs, IN commissions alone, y pei cent IN Virsi-
nlh; while the collection of three or four million,
more OF duties ought not to cost the United State.
one per cent Most of their revenue is collected IL
lew large cities, where the salaries of the collec.
tors and other officers restricted by law; and an
addition TO the amount collected ought not to i'm
crease the expenses of its collection in those places
Indeed, the public documents shew that has actual
ly cost the government more TO collect the smaller
revenues at New York, under the recently reduced
duties, than 1t did to collect the larger revenue o.
former years under higher duties We are yer,
Tar from believing that this ought TO be the case
but that the fact is so, is believed To be
able. II II be, It is conclusive reply TO all the in.
gcnious and elaborate calculations which have beer
exhibited TO establish the inciedIhle proposition tina
the State governments can collect an additions
three millions OF direct taxes, at a smaller amount
OF expense. than the General Government can col
lect the same addition their large amount of dute,
on imports. Ii the fact were so, It would be \
strong argument IN favor OF suTTenderng to thu
States all the power of raising revenue for the Uni.
ted States. by reserving to the States the proceed,
OF the sales Of Public Lands, the people and then
representatives will be induced To examine, with
more vigilance, INTO the great expense and waste
which have been allowed in that branch of the re-.
venue; and the General Government may receiy,
from them useful Instructions which will ena bile II
Tn collect ITS large revenues as economically ns this
States do their very small ones, 20 the great benefit
OF the country, both IN its and its morals
IL were waste OF words TO prove that the payment
OF ndirec: taxes on goods is less burhonsomc, and
more IN accordance wh the dispositions and feelings
of our citizens than that of direct taxes on then
property To deny this, is to maintain that it !.
better TO compel men TO pay n specific amount oil
tax on their property, whether they will or not thar
that they should be left free TO incur taxation or not
by purchasing or orbearing to purchase, according
TO their pleasure, goods which subject to duties
The share oil Virginia OF the sales Of the Public
Lands Will enable her to reduce materially her pro-
petty tax, which IS becoming burthensome to many
and Ineonvenienily felt by nearly ALL while the
additional amount, when levied on imports, will be
almost unielt by any.
Your petitioners therefore pray that Congress
will provide by law, for raising by duties on i'm
ports, revenue adequate 10 the wants of the gov.
eminent, honestly and economically administered;
and that such determinations may he made in the
assessment thereof, will afford TO domestic manu-,
features the benefit Of our own markets, and 70
American .abour and industry, the encouragement
and reward which are Justly due TO them; and
which alone can render us a united, prosperous
and powerful nation.