Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-10-17
POLITICAL.
tFF"W "'f .H"'s'"aHJ
LETTER FROM JOSEPH HUME, NJ. p ON FREE
TRADE
(Frem ,he .Naia.gnllli. !


BERKLEY SrrAEr, Sept. 5, lSl".
Durr GREEN, Esq sc.
| Deur Sir: | have pernsed N the Times Of the 1T
nxt the extracts Of Mr.. Upsbur ard Of Mr. Gal
houns letters the subject of commercial treaty
between the United States and Great Britain, and !.
affords me much satisfaction 10 know, that Of
their station and influence IN yomr country take
proper view of the advantages that would result
both our countries by removing the barriers now set
up, inurously, by both countries against COM
MERGE.
strong conviction xiss in the minds Of the greater
part of The people of this Kingdom ha; The removal Of
all the barriers hitherto mschevous 10 the industry
Of this, well Of your country should be effected
that Trade should he established between England
and the rest Of the world, the best of giving
employment TO the industrious classes and of rendering
capital valuable, And, believe, II 10 also becoming
of general belief, that the difculiies both commercial
and financial, Of America, and Of England, would be
speedily removed by that free between the
two countries, which vas strongly recommended IN
the Repor; Of the Select Committee Duties of Gus
toms of which was Chairman in $50.
| | may say, without fear Of contradiction, that the
manufacturing and commercial interests o. the United
Kingdom are now in favor Of trade, and deeply
convinced of the necessity OF that freedom being
ried out speedily. The landed arstocracy, who haze
for many years had monopoly of tue home market for
corn and cattle, opposed the repeal of the cas.4
laws; and that interest has, this time, majority
in both Houses Of Parliament, the country is thereby
placed in the situation in of depressed trade
and diminished employment.
After the declaration of trade principles and
the alteration Of the Tariff many ARTICLES of import
by SIR Robert Peel, must consider hm convert
10 trade principles and that he is consequently
DESTROYS TO these principles fully and generally
carried out if his colleagues in the Ministry
opposed to them.
| You have had opportunities of knowing the trn,h of
that statement, and account for the do.nolhing pc.
Icy Of the last session OF Parliament.
We the evils arising from party, which risks
the welfare of the country, by allowing the monopoly
to continue rather than risk the breaking up of the
Tory party, which would be the case, if Sir Ro Pee
had the courage to attempt free rade-and from such
state Of party, the population doomed misery
and want-the ordinary revenue To decrease, and
the sources OF the wealth and power Of England
danger.
! fear the opposing interests in the L. States, aud
the preponderance in Congress Of the New England
and manufacturing interests, produced The evils OF The
high Tariff of the last SESSION, from which both
tres suffering; but from all the accounts hear,
| believe there will be IN the new Congress majority
of the Representatives against the existing gl tariff
and monopoly and in favor OF free trade principles
and Of improved commercial intercourse between he
two countries
In both countries, therefore, hare the dcsi-s q
the large majority for free trade in corn; and the di'
hculty appears 10 To BE-, 10 the both
Legislatures shall effect the wishes of the community.
can bear testimony to the trouble you have taken %
convince SIR Robert Peel of the vast Importance of hs
sending 10 Washington some person ENJOYING his con.
Cenre with powers 10 settle liberal tariff be
tween Eng land aud the s. and have been sorry 10
observe want Of moral courage Of Sir Robert Peel
sanction and 10 follow that After what has
passed dn not believe that he will do his duty the
country and commence negotiations for the repeal OF
the Corn Laws, winch consider 'S!nc qua non TO
with, until the decreasing revenue and the
increasing paupersm shall threaten The public credit Of
the An attempt viii then he made TO
all onopo'es and TO establish the trade and Prog
peri,y Of The country, when, perhaps Il may be found
n
the favorable opportunity that now sents commence
negotiations with your Congress.
have done all IN my power 10 promote free trddc, and
have lament the party aud Interested views of The
political party now IN powerin opposing it. But have
press hope TINT, the L 5 you may be- able 10
adopt sound principles Of trade without regard the
blind and interested policy OF this and OF other
tries
by aOhtn nations obtaia adeantogts ozer ecC oL,r
by diplomatic Management; and woulc ask him 10
act upon the principle that mutual interest and mutual
conveniences ought 10 bind countries together IN
friendly because Probable intercourse We produce
what you, IN the United States wish TO buy; YOU
produce what We, in England, wish 10 purchase y hat
more powerful motives can aciuate any two countries
IL promote free trade than England and the u States
have? kindred race, and mutual interest, urge
powerfully to the irees exchange of the products at
our respective countries; and why should either
try hesitate, for moment, 10 adopt that which
wll certainly relieve one, if not both countries from
much OF her present sufarings; | have explained
ahnve, that the landed arstocracy, which have the
political power of the State opposed free trade
principles, under the erroneous opinion that they
keep up their monopoly by preventing the repeal q
the Corn Laws; but there exists sufficient majority
Congress TO proceed at to reduce the tariff and
| thereby take away from monoposts, IN this country,
the only plea they put fnr"ardthat re, England,
should rspeai Corn Laa7S Mat you Tie L. s. uOuid
| not recipr0cde
have strongly advised Sir Robert Peel to alter the
duties of customs in this country, without relation
any country in particular; but solely 10 suit the nte-
rests of tins country ; and ! have recommended The
termination Of all the EXISTING Commercial Treatles,
now existing with Great Britain |, is consistent with
the policy OF President Washington, not bind your.
self politically with any State foreign Government,
but 10 leave yourselves al liberty you shall
think proper, for the interests Of your county, with
| all observe that Mr. Upshur recommends a CONNER
cal treaty, and think that treaty absolutely
necessary, TO enable you to alter your tariff az"
crease your commerce with this country. ! ~ NIX bG
would only involve your country in greater difficulties
by that means and by the restrictions " hch treaties
impose you, 4 series of years, viii do injury
to your intercourse with other nations than you de:se
benefit,
| think that it is The opinion Of Lord Aberdeen ana
Sir R. Peel that England has los, more than she la.
gained by commercial treaties; and that the time
come, when eech country should regulate lis
toms duties without treaty should be pleased TO
your country adopt that course confident Won
would profit thereby and that other countries would
follow gear example. |: must appear very prepos-
ferrous 10 England the greatest commercial nation
in the world, prevented from making those alterations
in her duties Of customs which she convinced ought
be made, because Portugal, France The Br1zls, and
other countries, will not meet England by what she
considers reciprocity.
| We are convinced, that the revenue is suffering
that smuggling IS promoted and that the consumers
are injured by keeping duty of BPS. per gallon
spirits; 30s. silk goods; or 81. and I'd per gal
| lon on VINE, &c /; and vet vii reduce these
high duties. because Portugal France will not make
reduction in the duties OF customs charged by them
on British cottons or wooens. thread, &c and,
BY adherence the demand for reciprocity, the abuses
have named, ard many others, are allowed to continue,
causing decrease Of trade between these countries,
and an injury 10 all parties engaged IN manufactures
and commerce in these couatrieS.
We should each O. to the cheapest markest for all
our suppes and every country would prosper thereby
Some countries may continue, for tune, 10 shut
articles by high duties, by which the consumers O!
these articles will suf-r privaon and loss But ~
.bo, ner,od snrnd orinrinles and ind vdua n