Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-12-08

per cent Inc consumers IN PennSyIvanIa nave
paid near two shngs sterling for The importa-
ton of this year. This article must be worth the
attention flhe Southern planters.
" " the facts and observations in the proceeding
part Of this paper he admitted 10 be Just and true,
and il we take into consideration with them the
acknowledged superiority of foreign commerce,
ana the fisheries, over our own manufactures, we
may come 10 the following conclusions
"That the United States Of America cannot make
proper use Of the natural advantages fthe coun.
n.y. nor promote her agriculture, and other lesser
interests, without mnGutactures--ihatt they can
not enjoy the altainabe benefits of commerce and
fisheries without some general restrictions and
prohibitions affecting foreign nations 3 that in
forming these restrictions and prohibitions, as
well as IN astonishing manufactures there is oc-
caslon for great deiberation and wisdom, that
nothing may be introduced which can interfere
with The sale of our produce, or with the settle
ment aud Improvement Of our waste lunds.
81. will not be amiss 10 draw picture Of our
country, as il would really exist under the opera
ton Of a system Of national laws formed upon
these principles. While we indulge ourselves in
the contemplation of a subject at once so interest,"
ing aud dear. let us confne ourselves to substan-
tial facts, and avoid those pleasing decisions into
which the spirits aud feelings Of our Counlrymeu
have too long nised them.
" In the foreground, we should find the mass of
our citizens the cullivators land what is happy for
US in most instances the same thing) the indepen
dent proprietors of the soil. Every wheel would
appear in motion that could carry forward the ill.,
terests of this great body of our people, and bring
into action the inherent powers of the country
portion of the produce of our lands would be
consumed in families, employed in the bust
ness Of our manuiactures-a further portion
would be applied in the sustenanco OF our mer-
chants and fishermen and their numerous assist
ants, and the remainder would be transported by
those WIN would IL n the lowest Freight
Chat is, with the smallest deduction from the ug-
gregale profits OF the business of the country to
The hest foreign markets. On one side, we should
see our manufacturers encouraging the tillers of
the earth by the consumption and employment Of
the fruits of their labors and supplying them aud
the rest of their fellow citizens with the nstru-
ments of their occupations, and the accessories
and convenences Of life, in every instance where
il could be done without nJuriously and unneces.
sarlly increasing the distress of commerce. the
labors of the husbandmen, and the difficulties of
. changing our native wds into scenes of cutiya
ton and plenty. Commerce, on the other hand,
attentive to the general interests, would come
forward with offers TO range through foreign eli
mates in search OF those supplies which The man.
ulacturer could not furnish but at too high price,
or which nature has not given US at home, in re-
turn for the surplus OF those stores that had been
drawn from the ocean or produced by the earth.
"The commercial citizens of America hnve for
sometime felt the deepest distress amour the
principal causes Of tler unhappy situation, were
the nconsderate spirit Of adventure to this cuun =
try which pervaded every kingdom in Europe,
and the prodigous credits given from thence to
our merchants. To these may be added the high
spirits and golden dreams that naturally followed
such war, closed with so much honor and sue
cess,-the triumph over great enemy, coure !
by the most powerful nations in The world. 1t was
not in human nature that America should imne.
diately comprehend her new situation. Really
possessed Of all the means of human greatness she
anticipated The most distant benefits of the reyo-
luton, and considered item already in her Dos
session. She formed The highest expectations
many of which, however, serious experience has
taught her to relinqush, and now that the thought.
less adventures and imprudent credits from for
egn countries take place no more and time has
been given for cool reflection she will see her true
situation and need not be discouraged.
"The foundations of national wenlh and con-
sequence are so firmly laid in the United States,
that no foreign power can undermine or destroy
them. But the enjoyment of these substantial
blessings is rendered precarious by domestic cir
cumstances. Scarcely held together by a weak
and half formed federal Constitution, the powers
of our national government nre unequal 10 the
complete execution of any salniary purpose, for
eign or domestic. The evils resulting from this
unhappy state of things have again shocked our
farming instances OF dsobedience TO the laws, and
1t not remedied, must destroy our property, liber.
ties and peace. Foreign powers, however dispos-
ed to lavor us, can expect neither satisfaction nor
benefits from treaties with Congress, while they
nro unable 10 enforce them. We can therefore
hope 10 secure no privileges from them, if matters
are thus conducted. We must immediately rem.
edy this defect or suffer exceedingly Desultory
commercial acts OF The legislatures, formed on the
impression of the moment, proceeding iIom no
uniform or permanent principles, clashng with
the laws of other States, and opposing those made
in the preceding year by the enacng Stale, can
no longer be supported if we are to continue one
people. A system ytich roM promote The genera
interest, Uih The smallest injury TO particular ones
has become indispenSabiy necessary
Commerce Is more affected by the Distraction
and evils arising from the uncertainty, opposition
and errors of our trade laws, than by the restric-
tons of any one power in Europe negative
upon all the commercial acts of the legislatures
if granted 10 Congress, would be perfectly safe
and must have an excellent effect. Ifihought ex
pedient it should be given as well with regard tC
those that exist, to hose that may be devised ir
future. Congress would thus be enabled TO pre-
vent every regulation that might oppose the gen
eral interests, and, by restraining the States iron
impelitIc laws, would gradually bring our nation.
al commerce TO order and perfection. Such o
The ideas suggested in the preceding part OF thi.
paper as snail be honored win the public appro
bation may be better digested, and, if they up
pear worthy Of it, may form new articles of con
federation which would be the foundation Of tn,
commercial system.
81 have venlured to hint at prohbtory powers
but shall leave that point and the general powe
of regulating trade to those who may undertake
10 consider the political obec of tho convention
suggesting only the evident propliety of enabling
Congress to prevent the importation of such for.
eign commodities as IRE made from our own raw
materials. When any article oilhat kind can bt
supplied at home, upon as low terms as it can b.
imported on, manufacture OF our o,on produce
so well established, ought not by any means to b
sacrificed TO the interests of foreign trade, or sub
jected to injury by tho wild specuations Of igno
rant adventures. In all cases, careful proysio
should be made for relunding the duties on expor
talion, which renders the impost virtual excis
without being liable 10 the objections against
actual one, and is great encouragement 10 trade
@ The restoration nf nuhlic cTndit nj homa "A