New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-06-08
THE TRIBUNE.
The Webster Letter.

4 IL ~
The Webster Letter.
We commend the following letter, from one OF
the Committee of Boston Merchants who wrote
to Mr. WEBSTER, 70 the attention of the journal
Of Commerce. That paper has asserted that the
prominent mercantile men Of Boston are decided
" opposed to the principle of Protection; and 1t
has referred to the movement IN favor of Mr..
WEBSTER and his Commercial Treaty in confr-
nation of this assertion. The letter of Mr..
SEARS is written for the express purpose of cor
recting these and similar misrepresentation
and in that respect 1t has an Importance which
will ensure ii an extended perusa =
BosTox, 9th Nav, 1913.
DEAR sI7-Undersia7dipg that impression
has made upon friends to
Ter lately addressed Mr. Webster and sgaed By and
et-fs aud the, they appeheud its purpose movement
towards voluntary abandonment Of the principle Of prot-c-
ton and Of course Injurious the interests of N-wEug
land feel proper the Of ths, letter express
opinion, and as far deperds put their fears
You are we'll awaresnd the inform,,iou comes from
quarter leave the fact hardly doubtiua in ell poba-
tlily the industry Of tie North approaching point
which either successfully opponents
weld 10 ieir power. he great interests oil South
cotton rice and tobacco, striving with them
wheat aud grazing Interests for purpose which If
fa may prove extremely pFeucia the North aud
combined will be and felt the coming session
q Of COngTess
You know how very prec.rous the existence OF the PEE
sen, tarift she power which the Wings had command
could hardly carry H. without assistance Wing
Ccngressaid tina. II IL doubtful if IL survive tie
session except be devised 70 v- the subject
more impartial nveSt cation than likely have at PEE
sent and less influenced 10y local prejudice and party poll
tics Let ask the favor therefore OF friends look
PRACTICAL poia, OF view and examine these
facts. te!ieye they viii then agree that the skill
and vigilance should be exercised preserve this very pEa
ciple Of projection which they think has been assaed Let
the array which Will probably be brought against
q the approaching legislative assembly They viii find
E il very fofmidablssuch with difficulty resist
and if we may Judge of the future by the past, position
: is critical.
The tariff ha, Yet been fully compehendcd nor
details properly adjusted by any committee of Congress 20
whom has been lately intrustvd Neither can i, be
pectsd that il viii be- While these formed
they present, and forced report prematurely Stuff
cient time is given them and if 1t were many Coz
reign subjects arc lntaded into the discussion enable them
L 10 make fair investigations Political manpuyres are
brought bear upon them aud elrctioneeng management
sway them while local interests striving for selfish OBJ
eets, In motion, dictate each section Of bill
do that these are known truths bu they pre-
II yalling Cpaions.
And who are 10 compose the Congress VIII b.
enlightened staesmaGke, honest than the
last and those which have preceded IL VIII the Interests
The North BE- more fully, more ably represented VIII
protection free trade. be the Eaority Is not TO be
taTed that oil policy aad ChaGe uhlaFoaOt 10
will follow precpirte action on the pesen' law And
ii So how such action be avoided believe IT can be
by the appointment OF Commission digest liberal and
udcous code for legislative action connected with prelim
mary between this Country and other
by Which the views and wishes Of each nation may be known
and ifpossble, ad justed 10 mutual advantage.
In the Parliament Of England before any
adopted by government which will any way affect the
property inlus, Of the of,e people the
thoroughly examined by permanent commitiee-wnesses
called prove each fact in deaila correspondence
on ira, Is
ad full time for debeation given And thus these
mecs become possessed Of every part and parcel Of Tie sub
ct and all the bearings Of and report Understandings
and due reliance may be placed on their reports
THIS is precisely what pointed by part of the letter
alluded to- Il Is suggested that tie ables men OF the nAons
Interested should be appointed Commission 10 meet ard
acsby discuss the great subject OF international trade for
reciprocal benefit And If the parties upon pre-
nuarts then 10 report them for legislative action Moth
ag This could do larm-it might do much good
Al all would postpone the discussion Of the sub
ect in legislative councils until of evidence and iaes
collected to enable each nation with clear under
standing Of the policy Of the other ard in The spin; OF
feldy reatioas. The purpose Of peace and good
will Instead Of hostile restrictions and prohibitions,
Injurious all aud Of benefit none, should have
amicabe conference and honest effort for mutual
mediation No other idea thrown out than an
Of preiimiRdieS the important question Of international
trade" And how? By the appointment (on part Of
the ONLY individual hr W-bster} whom the sereai iu-
Of The North and South look with equal oorhd
encc." FOR what? For protection And is there anything
be feared ,his Is Mr. " eh1ter able cope with
any statesman or dipomatst oil any country! tnk he
and though may admit he has equals, ackuowl
edge none his superiors
To the interests OF New England their ablest
defender voluntary abandonment, of them 20 be de-
su that he should his skill and talents protect hcm
give up protection And until be shown that
best aad ahst match for the best and abest
Of Europe, we have nothing 10 fear.
Our il;rn.; must allow themselves be alarmed
every position winch assumed Let Them read again
the letter They will find it be more than concur
ofopion topics which had previously been the sub
ect OF friendly conversation. They have the slightest
either that Nr Webster whom address.
ed OF the gentlemen who have given The sanction of their
names Intend desef, the interests Of NrwEngand. Have
they NOT and all considerable stake in those
And what be their object except, secure possible
stao!i;, and each inGridnGl :neres: They
aga,or for political egectuot of them
Sice holder oice-seektr. They Pesiden;-ma-
kes or leaders any iot but private citizens who
aaroui for their couutrH good by whonsoever governed
sd willing surrender something OF presea, advantage for
The saSe Of permanercy and peace.
Very respectfully, your friend and servant,
DAVID SEARS.
Robert c. Shaw, Esquire, Belknap-s,ree,.