The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-03-12
To the Hon, J, vi Manriqte,
Minister Of Foreign .9GairS:


siR-The undersigned, Charge dAGaires of the
United States near this Government, embraces the
occasion of an approaching session of the National
Congress of Venezuela, respectfully and briefly TO
present to this Government the views entertained BY
the Government of the United States in regard to the
present tar of duties charged upon the productions
nted States in the pol of VeDeZu with the
earnest hope and confident belief that this subject
will be considered and acted by the proper autho
rifles and that such changes will be made therein
sense of justice on the part Of this Government may
prompt, and as may correspond with those principles
of reciprocity and liberaty which the existing
treaty between Venezuela and the United States is
proiesscdy based
The undersigned is far form intending or wishing
to interfere with the national domestic policy Ven
ezuela and, far the policy of 'home protection"
may have influenced this Government in adjusting
the existing Tar A, the undersigned has complaint
to prefer holding it to be the unques,ioned right of all
be governed by their own views of the pro-
prc,y, as we'll of the mode of protecting their
agriculture manufactures, commerce, estab ish-
ing their tariff regula ions. Yet it is be sup
posed that this Government would be slow to perceive
or initiate the changes which mark the progress of
gradual enlightenment other nations IN relation to
the effects OF the restrictive system upon the general
prosperity Of the inhabitants of those nations respec-
lively
Neither can il be believed for a moment that a ma
ton whose soil and climate adapted to all the i'm
er nations with the valuable articles of coffee indigo
cocoa &c, &c, would to any extent abandon the
culture of such articles IN pursuit of the lam
citul theory of an " entire independence" in
this r. specf of all other countries. The I'M
dersgned may be INDUCED in the suggestion that the
people Of Venezuela know too well the value ofther
present staple produces and how readily these can
command the products of other cmes, in exchange,
to substitute for their culture the less profitable pro-
ducts Of he North American States to which The I'M
dersigned herein makes reference.
The undersigned may therefore safely assume the
position, that those articles Of North American pro-
duction which made to bear the heaviest burden
of duty by the tariff laws of Venezuela, and in reIa
ton TO which, this communication is especially
made are not such would now, hereafter, fall
within the principle of "home protection even were
it avowed, that this government had adopted this po-
Icy their basi in the adjustment of their general
tariff of duties.
The articles of North American production, TO
which the undersigned particularly refers, Flour,
(of wheaD Lard, Goldfish, Soap, Hams, Butter, Cheese
and Candles A few other articles might perhaps be
added. The foregoing, however, are the principal
articles of North American production, imported in
to Venezuela, and upon which, in the opinion Of the
undersigned, onerous duties are imposed. The duty
upon Flour amounts to more than eighty per cent.
upon its cost in any of the ports of the United States
The average price of this article for three years past
in the ports OF the United States may be estimated
at s. 50 cents, Venezuela currency, whilst the du-
ties charged upon it, in the ports of this country
amount to "a 81 cents per barrel! The average du.
ties upon other articles above enumerated amount to
more than sixty per cent upon their cost II is re-
spectfully submitted, that, as these articles do not
come in competition with the productions of Venezu-
Ella )nor are they articles of luxury, but rather of
necessity or of comfort) there is no substantial rea-
son to be given for burdenng them with the present
unequal duties.
II is not necessary to present argument TO show
the advantages which would result to the people of
this country generally from increase in the con.
sumption Of the North American products referred
to- nor to prove that with onefourth the present rate
of duties upon them, an equal amount of revenue
might be derived The reflections of every enlight.
eued mind; will lead it to a proper conclusion on
these points.
An ad-vaIorem (or specifc) duty averaging that
charged upon the productions OF other nations would
not be complained Of, by the government of the United
States although there strong, and indeed rresis.
tible arguments, which might be urged in favor Of a
still greater reduction OF duties upon the productions
of the United States.
That Nation (and that only admits into its ports,
free of duty the main staple product Of Venezueia
lcofee) whilst upon Indigo and Hides the other prn
cipal exports from Venezuela, the duty charged by
that government is only equal to about six per cent
| Venezuela currency II IS thus shown (strangs
though il must seeml that whilst the United States
admit free Of dut, The most valuable and important
staple production Of Venezuela, and impose upon her