New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-05-20

!
TO the results: because, pending the existence of
such :; confidence and before the results have
been attained, there NAV be q stagnation III COM
mercial affairs produced by that very concern.
/ The particular point in our own foreign rela-
! tons of commercial interest. which IN this re-
1 gard has latterv attracted lrost attention Is be
! tween the United States and England; and this
in two respects. In the first place the duties now
1 TO be imposed upon either side on products sub
ectS OF direct Importation and next the state OF
intercourse between the United States and the Co
onial possessions Of England on this Continent
in the West Indies The direct trade between US
and England is formed upon the real principle OF
reciprocity, and | do not know that there IS much
difference in favor of either; 1t seems to be tar.
equal and Just. The trade between the United
States and British Colonies, On the contrary. IN
the West Indies is of quite different character
But ] do not propose now to 20 into that mat
ter But with regard to the direct intercourse be
tween us and England, many wishes have been
expressed, and the opinion has been strongly en-
tertaned in favor OF an attempt 10 settle the du-
ties BY treaty or arrangement: say, gentle
men, the agreement of Tariff duties by arrange
nent, and | use the term by design. The Con
stituton Of the United States leaves TO Congress
the great business of levvng duties TOR Tie sup
port of Government. Ii seems especially to be
made the duty OF the House of Representatives, to
originate all means Of revenue, or which shall es-
sentally affect tie revenue There have been
few cases IN which treaties have been entered INTO
having the effect to limit duties. But 1t is
not necessary TO 90 on the idea that II we
came to an understanding with governments on
the rates of duties. that understanding can only
be effected BY means of Treaty ratified by the
}tpfr
to the forms of the Constitution because follow
ing the example OF the government IN what now
exists-the arrangement between the United
States and England touching the colonial trade Is
practically to give TO an understanding between
the two governments the force of law By ordinary
acts Of legislation. You all know that the pre-
sent basis Of trade between the United States and
the British Colonies rests Oh the concurrent acts,
the concurrent or conditional acts of legislation
of the two countries. Remember that the Sen
ate and House Of Representatives have passed
upon the terms of intercourse with the British
Colonies, and so have both Houses of the British
Parliament; and if the Executive department
enter into any negotiation on the subject of du-
ties then in the same mannermay there be made
terms in the agreement that if one party pass :,
law providing certain duties the other should
provide by law for equivalent duties.
mention this because have seen it often sta
ted that to regulate duties by treaty would be to
deprive the House of Representatives. the great
popular branch Of the Legislature, Of It's Just au-
thority. 1t is true treaty is the law of the land
1t may repeal law of Congress but as the
whole business Of revenue, and finance, OF pro-
viding for all the wants OF the country Is pecu-
liarly the business Of the House of representa-
tives. am of opinion and always have been,
that there should be no cncroachmcnt on the EX
ccutive power by the Lcgisature-by the Presi-
dent and Senate under the treaty making power,
except in unmportant cases, such as the treaty
with France in regard to wines, and some others.
Well then, gentlemen, if it be constitutional
mode of arranging the subject by means OF nego-
citation, what is there in the present state of our
relations with England which makes 1t desirable
that such an attempt should be made All OF
us know that the principal interests OF the Uni
ted States arc all under a considerable degree OF
depression The commercial interest is dcpress
ed the manufacturing interest is depressed and
so far as | am able to perceive, the agricultural
interest Of both North and South Is equally de-
pressed. If look at the price current III the
Grain. growing States of the West or in the plan
taton States of the South, | perceive again
great depression and no great encouragement to
activity and emulation. What is there in our
condltlon--what is there in the intercourse be-
tween the two countries to Justify an attempt at
the arrangement have mentioned
Well, gentlemen, on this subject speak with
out any authority. 1t is not for me 10 assume TO
speak of sentiments Of persons abroad upon this
subject But it is true that the opinion has be-
come somewhat current that with England an
arrangement might be made favorable TO our great
agricultural interest. That agreement must OF
course be founded on an adequate consideration.
But as to the objects of the agreement which It Is
supposed NAV be favorable to the United States.
NAV mention the admission into EngiuRd for
CONSUMPTION at lo,rer rates Of dufy Of Sereral Of
0ur large agricultural prodUctS 1t has been sup
posed. for example, that England may be induced
| to make important reductions IN her duties on
tobacco ! confess | have never been able to see
why not. The tobacco duty IN England Is a
mere matter of revenue There is no collateral
or Interior object IN it. The question, therefore.
III the minds OF English Statesmen as It seems TO
me can only be whether reduction OF the duty
will diminish the aggregate OF revenue. we
| all know that 1T often increases this agTregate-and
in regard to this article reduction Of DUTY one
/ ialf should augment importatlons one-halt, 1t Is
clearly of equal benefit to the English revenue.
! 1t is supposed, too, that the duty on rice may
undergo material and beneficial change. And
this Is an article now as much depressed az any
other. Then again. is this great product OF our
own in The United States--Hai-e, or, as it is
called, Indian Corn | have mt heard a slg-
gcstion from any quarter that England would be
inclined to modification Of her Corn Laws.
properly so called mean her duties on Wheat
and Flour. But it has been suggested know
not with how much plausbiity-and | beg II
may be received as merely suggestion of my
own have heard it suggested that in regard
to this article OF Wholesome and cheap food,