Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-04-17


The New Orleans Courier, in an article on Free
Trade in Holland, states that
"The commercial policy of Holland has always
been distinguished by Its liberaty towards the
sells and products of other countreand to this
IS ascrbed the great power and importance OF that
nation viewed in comparison to its population which
is only between two and three millions. 1t Is fact
worthy of remark that the State of New York, which
was originally colony of Holland, is now equal in
number IF inhabitants to the mother country. But
this stationary condition of Holland. in regard to the
amount Of population, Is owing chiefly, if not entirely,
to the narrow limits of her territory, which made
quate to the support of larger number than that
which now exists. But in capital, Holland is the
richest country In the world in proportion to her
population, and it is singular fact that her govern
ment has derived its retenhe chiefly from direct taxa
ton, from duties imports. The amount of tax
alton in proportion to population is said to be some
what greater than that Of Great Britain and Ireland
being about 1000, 600 forns, about 5 OO0, COO
of this considerable only about 5OCO, 900 forms,
or about S2000000, are collected in duties ON inn
portsal the rest being raised by direct taxation
property proposition has been lately made TO the
government by some eminent merchants, to abolish
the duties customs altogether, and raise by taxes
the amount of the customs so abolished The propo-
sition is said to have been favorably received.
adopted the foreign trade of Holland win be free
as her coastng trade Holland possesses the impor-
colony Of Surinam, from which large quantities of
ceent coffee and sugar are produced, and yet she
permits the importation of sugar and coffee from all
parts Of the world the terms as from her own
possessions Those important articles of consumption
permitted TO be brought from Cuba aud Brazil, on
payment of the same duties when they brought
from Java and Surinam.
Should Holland adopt the plan suggested, of rails
ing all her revenue from taxes on property leaving
imported merchandise entirely free from Duties she
will exhibit the consummation so devoutly prayed fol
by the advocates of free trade. Such plan support
ing the expenses of government has for many fears
been contemplated by some of the most enlightened
men in Great Britain they alege that by deriving al
the public revenue from income tax the rich would
obtain their comforts and luxtries at cheaper rates
than they do present. and in fact that the burden
taxation would not press so heavily upon them il
does now in the form Of custom house duties excise
and direct taxes while the necessaries of life would
come to the poor at much cheaper rates. To- bring
thousand bales Of cotton annually-suppose all duties
on foreign goods were abolished and at the same
time he should be called upon to pay yearly tax Of
five hundred dollars to the general government
would he would he not a considerable amount
sary for the carrying of his plantation, the feeding
and clothing of his family and the comforts aud lux
uries to which they have been accustomed and would
not the revenue of the government thus raised equal
if not exceed Its present amount
We ask these questions simply for information, be-
ing incompetent ourselves to discuss them in salts
factory manner. We submit them to the considera-
ton of the learned in political eeononiy''