Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-08-04
THE TARIFF AND REMOVALS FROM
OFFICE.
LETTER FROM GEN. SCOTT

LETTER FROM GEN. SCOTT.
The HauSburg Telegraph says it will be To-
msmbsred that at the recon, county meeting OF the
friends Of Gen. Scott, committee was appointed
10 PROFOUND certain questions TO him aud receive
his answers This committee, consisting OF Messrs
Maclay, Dunlap and Mcclure, Immediately wrote
10 Gen. Scot, and received his prompt reply:
wAsHIsoroN, July 10. 1912.
GEErLRNEH:-I have the honor 10 acknowledge
your letter Of yesterday, written, you ALTERING
iy inform me, ct the instance "of large and 70
spectacle meeting of your (myl friends, convened
az the Court House, IN Harrisburg Dauphin ,un-
", Pennsylvsnb," AMI rfopcuading ccrtlin que
ties; which shall cheerfuily answer.
Isl ado you believe that j. IS the duty Of an
Executive, in an elective Government, 70 appoint
10 Office 10 a general rule, petsons Of hig own n,
iiiical opinions and friendly TO his adm s'fston7"
not only believe It to be bis duty 10 appoin, 10
Office, persons OF that general party which elevated
him, but, am Of opinion that the exceptions 10
the general rule" any, ought TO be exceedingly
TO the Executive, but on the good Of the pub &c sr
vce--as the possession Of some accidental or 70
euliar qualifications IN opponents for the particular
enploymonls in question.
%. what are your views with regard 10 a Ia.
r Of duties, not only for Revenue, but for Proiec-
| tUn"
| Although long in the way ofcxpressing my hum
ble views on this subj G., have never before been
called upon 70 give them /! writing.
That tho necessary revenue Of tho federal 20
vernment, for general purposos may in time Of
peace, be most choapy and conveniently raised In
the form Of Custom House duties, and that IL ought
70 BE- so raised, IN the whole, are questions which,
IN my judgment, do not admit Of a doubt.
From familiarity with the principal writers on
political economy was early much smittsn with
the doctrines Of Free Trade; but between tho years
lS24-5, x stimulated by the discussions Of the
PERIOD to reconsider first Impressions, soon be
came thoroughly persuaded that the theory Of
wealth, however beautiful, would impovcrish this
country m ts traJo with the many, whose rival
products ore shielded BY duties generally high and
IN many cases, prOlubtory. UDtii, therefore, a. .
othsr great c)mmercli nations can 10 forced u
practice upon 90 well 90 20 propagate in speeches
and writings, the liberal doctrines ishall be i'm favor
OF cOuntervliling nnd re,alatOry duiics Of homo
that, in raising the necessary revenue for IN eco
nomical administration Of the federal government
we may by discrimination, efectua'ly protect our
own induary-agncultunl, mining and meehani-
cal-againss The half starved labor Of foreign coun
| tries.
] consider this line Of defensive policy-whieh
has heretofore succeeded with ne, and for that re e..
son, again entitled to fair experiment, in the rrs
sent general dslressto be % much IN the spir, OF
national independence, as Il ia, 10 my Judgment.
indispensable TO the internal and lasting prosperity
OF ali parts Of our cherished Union.
Deeply sensible Of the high honor done mo By
the meeting which you represent,
remain, gonliemeo,
With great fespect and esteem,
Your ffsnd tud fellow Il z-n
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Mesrs r. p. Macloy, J. u. Dunlop,
! J, M'Cluts, Co Umittee, sc,