The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-03

Their at San Jacinto or San Juan d'Ulloa
IF WEDNEsDAY-This evening, at O'clock Mr..
Espy's second lecture will be given, at the Apollo
Hall, opposite the National Theatre, on the Water
spout or Tornado
From the Journal Of Commerce
Mr.. CLAWS REsoLUToNs.--The resolutions offered
in the United States Senate on Monday last by the
Hon. HENRY CLAY. father of the Protective System,
provide that hereafter scale of duties on imports
shall be established sufficient raise revenue of
$26, OOO, 900 per annum; that in laying these duties,
''the principles of the Compromise Act generally
should be adhered to; and that especialya maximum
of ad vaerem duties should be established, from
which there ought to be little departure as posi-
ble" This Act it is we'll known, provides for uni
form rate Of duties all articles of import viz 70
per cent ad vaorem. Uniformity in the rate, is one
of its leading principles" The Law for the distri-
button of the proceeds from the sale of public lands,
(amountng average to about 600 per
annum,) Mr.. Clay proposes to continue in force. To
do this, however, will require new act OF leglsa-
tion of the sections of said Law provides that
in case the duty on any article of import shall be
raised above 20 per cent, then the Distribution Law
shall at once become null and void. Whether ma
jority of Congress will consent to its re-enactmen Is
very doubtful 1t was passed at the Extra Session,
not, we have reason to believe, on the ground OF
its merits exclusively, but because 1t was part
of system of measures which could only be carried
in the gross As il will now stand disconnected from
the Bank Bill, the Bankrupt Bill, and all other bills
except the Tariff, some of the influences which be-
fore operated in its favor will be withdrawn and on
the othe- hand it may be presumed that all the high
Tariff men will go for it, as part OF the machinery
necessary secure the LAYING of heavy duties. For
it obvious that if the three millions of revenue from
public lands is divided among the States, instead OF
being applied heretofore, to the support OF Govern
ment the deficiency thus created must be supplied by
an increased duty on imports. Hence it may be taken
for granted that the opponents of high duties lncu-
ding most or all Of the Southern States, will resist
the re. enactment of the Distribution Law with all
their might. At least two of those States, viz South
Carolina and Alabama, have legisated on the subject
in advance and declared that in will they ie-
ceive the quota of Distribution money which may be
assigned to them; believing that the Law which d.
reefs the distribution is Unconstitutional and unjust,
The discussion Of Mr.. Clay's resolutions comes up
in the Senate on Wednesday next; and it IS safe to
predict that thenceforward the topics embraced IN
them, will be the absorbing theme for the remainder
Of the session. A uniform duty OF ~ per cent. on
all imports except specie, if levied as heretofore,
according to the valuation of the goods at the places
,phonoo imported, would produce nett revenue
(after deductng drawbacks and expenses of collec-
tion) Of about $20,OOO,0OO; and every addition OF
per cent to the co. would add another million to the
nett revenue. The expenses Of the Government for
the last eight years, have amounted, average to
full $50, O0O, 900 portion of this expense has been
occasoned by the Florida war, which we trust Will
some day be brought to end but by that time it is
u
of expenditure will arise, which will keep the dol
lars moving. After all the retrenchment and econ
omy which can be expected, we are of opinion that
the expenditures of future years will not fall below
S25 900 600. The presumption is that they will eX-
coed that amount. But if we say $25,O0O,0O0, and
add $4,000 900 for the gradual payment of the exist
ing debt, and $2,0000OO more for contingencies, as
Mr. Clay proposes to do, then we shall require uni
form duty of % per cent on all articles OF import ex
cept specie, in order to meet the above demands
This is on the superstition that the Land Distribution
act should be continued in force But if that act
should be repealed, as we maintain that 1t ought to
be, then should require uniform duty OF 70 per
cent If we reserve only one million for contingent
cies, which we think is enough (instead of two
proposed by Mr. Clay,) then shall require uni
form duty of 25 per cent. This will be a sufficient
protection for nearly all the branches OF domestic
manufacture, except tea and coffee, which we may
as well leave to the home industry of the Brazlans
and Chinese.
Mr.. Clay estimates the future annual expenses OF
the Government at only $22, 1000, OOO We DO not
see upon what basis he calculates reduction of
$4,000 900 per annum from the average of the past
eight years; and reasoning from all experience, we
are persuaded that his estimate too low Retrench
ment has been the watchword as far back as we can
remembers we have always been going to retrench
every Administration especially was to introduce
economy in every department of the public service;
but in point of fact expenses, with occasional
hucuations) have been steadily increasing, as the
nation has increased in wealth and population and II
they do not continue to increase in time to come can
hardly be expected that they will fall rs OOO 600 be-
low the average of the last eight years. In the above
calculation have allowed for reduction of 80 O00,
900, which we suspect is quite as much as VIII be
realized.
1t to be borne in mind that according to the Com
promise Act the duties, after the 3Olh of June next,
are to be levied upon the home pdluation. This an
important change, and if carried INTO effect VIII prove
apprehend very inconvenient one he ~ per
cent upon the home valuation, which leVles upon All
l. Il, aftnr
mentioned will be equal, average, to at least
IS per cent on the foreign valuation, which has hereto
fore BEEN and 10 now, the basis OF assessment we
would propose therefore, that in order to get rid OF
the home valuation feature, (Which would be attend
ed with immense Inconvenience in pIactice) % per
cent upon the foreign valuation be substituted IN
lieu of 20 per cent upon the home valuation, as pro
vided in the Compromise Act Then repeal the
Distribution Act, and shall have an annual nett
revenue Of 1926 600 900 from customs for the support
of Government, and say $3,00OOO0 from the public
lands to apply towards the extinction OF the puoc
debt and for +" contingencies" So far as the 90
vernment is concerned, then, there is no need OF
disturbing the Compromise Act The alteration
which we propose is not designed to diminish the
revenue levied under it, but simply to change the basis
Of valuation.
The question then arises, will the Tariff men be
satisfied with 25 per cent duty" protection II they
please to call so-or will they battle fo higne, rae
There are very few articles which now pear hignet
dutv than 25 per cent while the great majority, IN
Guiding many of those which come In competition
with onr own manufactures, at less duty than %
ner cent No woolens are higher than q per cent, ex
cept aanpcls and bazes woollen cloths are "a per
cen, and several articles of cotton as low as 2
nor cent Have the manufacturers any objection to
the duys being raised these articles to rs per cent
This would be the effect Of the Compromise Act with
the slight modification we have suggested
SALVATION is OF THE JEWS.
s5- meeting of Christian Ladies of the different
evangelical denominations will be held in the Lecture
Room of tho Frat Bantist Church 10th street. on