Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-05-30
WASHINGTON, May Sd, 1913.

Gentlemen II have received your letter oil The
28th of April. You look, gentlemen, with degree
Of solicudp which can well appreciate TO the pro
liability that adjustment of important questions OF
international trade, between the United States and
other countries especially Great Britain, will be at
tempted ! fear you estimate quite loo highly my own
ability 10 render useful service 10 The public, IN such
transactions but, by whomsoever conducted should
feel the 81 interest in their success should they
take place. confess that being truly and sincerely
devoted to the protection Of American labor and in.
dustry consider be of the highest importance, to
give TO that labor, and that industry, security,
seadness Of support permanency of encouragement,
which they have not lately enjoyed, and which, ]
fear they are not likely to enjoy hereafter, unless
more comprehensive policy be adopted than that which
has hitherto been pursued The question of protec.
ton has mingled ITSELF to such degree, with ques-
tons Of supposed local interests, with political ques-
tons and struggles for political power, that it has not
been suffered TO be al rest any basis 1t has had no
repose. This is evidently great evil. All interests
demand 4 steady and settled policy, and conviction
If this truth appears be becoming general and strong
Those who possess the Of living, desire to feel
secure in their enjnynent-and those who have such
means TO earn, must wsh above all things, to know
what they may depend upon when they devote their
capital and their labor to particular pursuits or modes
Of occupation.
1t was thought that something was accomplished,
and certainly something accomplished, by the Ia
riff of last year Yet, it had hardly passed, before
events occurred, creating the highest probability that
the whole subject would be agaled anew, IN the next
Congress. Are always TO be in this huctuang
state, Are we never to be dbe 10 look Tor any thng,
but success sion of changes' Is there no way OF
bringing the whole country, and all interests to an
adjustment that may promise degree OF quiet, and
of general satisfaction? No doubt the various pursuits
of the people Of this country have really and truly IN
themselves a strong mutuaty of interest The grain
and corn producing States must always find the best
market for the surplus of their products IN the manu-
featuring and commercial population OF the East as
they will always find the price of manufactured
articles, such they need, kept low, and the
quality good, by the productions OF Eastern labor
But SO rich and abundant is the grain crop OF the
country, that, beyond what may be demanded for
the consumption of manufacturing and commercial
districts, there still surplus for which, or part oil
which, foreign market is desirable The cotton crop,
too, though it finds market al home, The value OF
which, think, has never been sufficiently appreciated,
requires, nevertheless, free expectation, and large
consumption abroad Cannot those who are concerned
in these interests be brought into harmony and con-
cert Of action, proporoned 10 the real harmony and
mutually which subsist between the interests them
selves; For my part, think the experiment, worth
trying, aud should have great hopes of its success, u
there were no fear of opposition from collateral or ex
rinsic causes My inquiries the North, and through
the centre and at the South and West, have been ex-
ensye and the result has led TO the conclusion which
| have expressed. would not speak with confidence,
upon matte yet untried, and which, know may en-
counter variety of objections but repeat that, in my
opinion, the experiment is worth fair trial. We may
well make earnest endeavor, even upon slight en-
couragement TO give permanent support the industry
Of the country and stability 10 the business and pursuits
OF life.
As 10 myself gentlemen, | have no expectation of
being concerned, in any manner, in negotiations con.
neced with this subject aud ain happy 10 know, that
the country has many hands, ADLER than NINE, 10 weld
such concerns. The Government has eminent ability
at lis command, both at home and abroad. have n"
wish 10 go abroad public service. If negotiations
should be entered into, there reasons Tor desiring
that they should be undertaken at Washington in
which case according TO the usual course they would be
conducted by the head of the Department of State un-
der the direction Of the President
With uneigned thanks for your manifestation oil
friendly sentiments respect and confidence,
remain, gentlemen, your
Obliged friend, and obd't servt,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
To the Hon. David Sears, II. G. Otis, WIN. Prescott
and The other gentlemen.