Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-01-13

quiesce in the necessity which requires such
an impost as cheerfully as in any other bur-
dens which they are called to bear for the
security and protection Of themselves, their
property, their rights, and liberties.
Notwithstanding the opinions of some, l
cannot doubt that the price Of these articles
would be enhanced TO the consumer to
some extent by the imposition of dutes.-l
But it may be questioned whether this eff.
feet would not be temporary. Coffee is
raised in various countries, and the amour,
produced has increased Of late years rapid
! y. Should the competition between those
countries be or become so active as to ena-
bic US to choose the source of supply, the
duty may fall upon the producer In res.
pect to teas, the opening of the China trade,
and the exchange for them Of our coarse
cotton fabrics, instead of specie as hereto
fore, will enable US to obtain larger supplies,
and at cheaper rates. But, whatever may
be the increase of price to the consumer.
and whether it be perma nent or temporary,
il would be fairly distributed among the
whole community, for nearly all are con-
sumers; and by proper adjustment of the
rates, it won d fall chiefly upon those who
used teas of the most expensive kind
Hence specific duty in reference to cost
would be most advisable.
In order to exclude spurious article
which sometimes forced its way among us,
it would be expedient to fix minimum val
ue of l6 or 90 cents per pound. A duty
of cents per pound on all teas costing
twenty-five cents or under, of seven cents
upon those costing from twenty-five to thir-
ty-ive cents, and thus advancing the duty
according to the cost, would afford the most
certain and practicable mode of collection,
while it would be the least burdensome.-
With respect to coffee, it is represented
that the difference in value between the va
rious descriptions in use among US is not
such as to render an ad ualorem duty neces-
sary or expedent. A moderate specific
duty of two cents per pound, when
brought from the country of its growth, in
Asia, Africa, or America, and three cents
per pound when imported from Europe, it
is believed would be fair and Moderate
Such duty may be estimated to produce
at least two millions five hundred thousand
dollars. From a duty on teas, graduated
as above suggested, we may expect to real
izc about one million five hundred thousand
dollars. Much, however, will depend upon
the terms of our trade with China. II can
: not be supposed that duties 10 the amount of
four millions distributed among nearly egh-
teen millions of persons, would be serious
ly felt by any. even assuming that the con-
sumers would exclusively bear the burden,
and that it would not be divided between
them and the producers.
Among the means of improving the rev.
enue, the duties on tonnage and light-mon-
ey. heretofore collected, have received con-
slderatlon. In 1881 these duties were repeal
ed, except as TO the vessels of those coun-
tries that impose duties on goods and ton
mage, discriminating between their own
vessels and ours. In respect TO those ma
TONS counter discriminating duties on our
part still remain. They vary in amount,
but their annual produce, on an average of
the last twelve years, is about sixty thou
sand dollars, although for the last year il
was less than thirty thousand dollars Iii
respectfully submitted whether it would be
expedient to direct that this duty, as col
lected, should be applied to the relief of
sick and disabled seamen in aid of the hos
pltal fund! Although this amount would
not furnish an adequate provision for this
meritorious class Of citizens, yet in con-
ne1ion with other provisions hereinafter
suSSeetoo, IL "oulu " great extent, re-
lieve Congress from the appropriations or
dinarily made to supply the deficiency in
that fund. The advantage of such an ar
4 rangement would be to avoid the distressing
contingency of an inability to meet the ca
ses of suffering that occur after the fund is
exhausted and previous to an appropriation.
Considering the disadvantages under
which our navigation now suffers from va
rious causes, the undersigned is not disposed
to recommend the restoration of the gene
raj tonnage duty. But it is deemed wor-
thy of consideration whether the vessels
enjoying the benefits of our very expensive
lighthouse establishment ought moi in JUS
tice to contribute 10 its maintenance? The
light duty was repealed at the same time
with the general tonnage duty, and it is be-
lieved for the same reason, the abundance of
revenue then existing That reason has ceas-
ed TO exist Our revenue is not adequate TO
the ordinary expense of the Government. A
duty of six cents per ton upon all vessels
engaged in the foreign trade, 10 be paid
upon each entry into our ports, except that
not more than one duty shall be required
for any one month, and a like duty annually
upon vessels engaged in the coasting trade
F and fisheries, would produce on the present
tonnage about two hundred and thirty
thousand dollars, less than one half of the
!, average annual expense of the lighthouses.
The annual duty would be so light as
, scarcely to be felt, and if other suggestions
contained in this report, by which the in.
terests of our navigation may be promoted
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