Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-07
FOREIGN TRADE.
value of the English Market.


for the annexed interesting exhibition Of facts in
relation 10 the expectation of American Wheat,
by which the absolute insigniicance of that "na-
tural market, upon which our agricuitural's's are
vaun,ingly told they must chiefly rely Tor the
consumption of their breadstutls is so clearly and
s,rikingly exemplifed. The argument OF the
Chronicle based upon its statistics. is torcibe and
conclusive, while the facts themselves are calcu-
lated TO amaze those whose attention has not here
toiore been drawn to this important question:
question of peculiar Importance, indeed, nj TINS
moment, when the modification OF the British
Corn Laws, by which, in the opinion OF many OF
our most sagacious and practical men, the eIpor-
tation of wheat from this country to Great Britain
will be diminished rather than augmented, is made
an additional pretext for the overthrow of our own
moderately protective system.
While on this subject, it may be pertinenty
asked, too, why is it that the British Government
cngs so tenaciously to its enormous duly upon
Tobacco, the great exporting staple OF very
large section of the South and West We are
aware that this is not protective duty but that IL
is levied strictly for purposes OF revenue. But the
effect is not ON that account, less injurious TO the
American cultivator for as in the case OF pro-
tective duty, barely not prohbitory. the conse-
quence of ifs imposition is a material reduction
in the consumption of the article upon which 1t is
cractcd, and the depression, to the full extent oil
the diminished consumption, of its market value.
We are aware that very intelligent gentlemen, en-
gagged extensively in the foreign Tobacco trade,
have expressed the opinion that the duty upon
that article, directly indirectly levied by Eu-
ropean governments works no injury To the Anne
rican cultiyator; but we confess we have never
been able to comprehend or appreciate the force
of the reasoning ~ which they have brought their
minds to a conclusion, which, upon It's face, star
ties us 1--WE say so with all respect for those gen.
tlcmen) by its apparent absurdity. SO dad not
think, certainly, Mr.. Jefferson, who, when Minis
Ter to France, complained, and labored earnestly
TO procure n modification OF the rigorous policy OF
The French Government in regard to the con-
sumption in that kingdom of this staple, which
was then almost exclusively the product OF his
own Virginia. SO thought not his successors at that
Court, among whom none exerted himself more ear
hestly to effect a relaxation u the French mono
poly than Mr.. Rives. We might refer too, to the
very able and interesting correspondence between
Andrew Stevenson, Esq, while Minister to Great
Britain, and Lord Palmerston, in which the inIu-
rious effects of this exorbitant eIaction are lumi-
nOusly set forth indicative alike OF his own views
and those of the Administration under whose en-
phatic instructions he acted. And why, we ask,
has the diplomatic corps been increased by the
appointment of Minister to the Court of Aus
tra, save for the purpose of procuring, ii posi-
blea modification of her policy IN conjunction with
that OF the Gernanic States in relation TO the
sumption of American tobacco on the Continent
1t would seem remarkable that such strenuous and
unidentified efforts should have been made, from
the period of the establishment Of our indePen-
dence TO this moment, TO procure the abolition OF
foreign monOpolIes and the modification OF foreign
duties upon this staple, il, some persons now
contend the change long and so earnestly
sought TO be effected, would indeed be injurious
rather than beneficial TO our planters. Such
presumption argues a msconception, on the part
of the American Government and of It's able ne.
gotators abroad, of the true interests of the coun
try so remarkable and disparaging, that, for one,
we are not willing to impute it to them. But
be this IT may, il is undenable that the British
duty Of 1000 per cent. upon Tobacco, is not the
less incompatible with all just notions of Free
TRADE, whatever be the preteIt for adherng to
1t. And IT Is M that aspect that design to pre-.
sent II 10 our readers, furnishing corroborativc
evidence Of the truth of the position assumed by
us IN Yesterdays paper, that the recent partial
change IN the policy Of the British Ministry, is
not concession to the principles of Free Trade, so
much as to a great political and social necessity,
which left them no alternative.
We have, however, dgressed rather widely.
and at greater length, than when we took up the
non w had tbo
We wish more directly to invite the attention of
our readers. Nothing can he added to the re.
mlrks oi our Cincinnati contemporary upon that
subject and, without farther comment, therefore
we lay them before the public.
Prom ths Cincinnati Chronicle
The Free Traders Of both England and America arc A.
ware that unless an extensive and proGsbe market for
mercan Grain can be found M Crest Britain no great re-
ducuOn Of the American Tariff will be sustained by the
nencan people. They know that The effect OF redu
cling our Tarh TO increase the imp Of British fab
Tc and sJfnr TO diminish, any prevent the
increase of American Manulscturcs-tho Home Market
aud the largest market OF American Produce They say
At is better FOR ~ 20 bsys our work shops in Europe Why
IL - not better for American Mechanics, Arzans and
Manufacturers for their business Just far discouraged
Who is it better for They say he FARMERS who will
osp1t guin 70 feed these workmen Of the lyOrshops Of
Europe" hut Farmers know that the men and women
who make broad cloths hat, shoes paper iron &c vii
est Just o. much bread and rather more II they live IN A
ofca than they live England Why then is II bet
tie sst resort, when driven from al other argument, t.
at the foreign iabrcs cheaper This b. denied Bot
suppose true. What then II the fsrc, gain, ten dol
lars year hand. and loses but smal part OF his
homo market he loser by the bargain lie knows tins
aud hence the great object Of the Free Tradcrs bo IA
England snd Aerca, b TO convince the American Farmer
tha bee have an extended market IN England Tor h.
products This the whple Of the argument. II be no
convincing, the battle fails.
We affirm that there facts, and not tolora
BILE argument 70 sustain the theory o Free Trade, IN thu
present sieto ct Civilization. We shall examine
]. Tho facts ~ he case;
And ihon the theory.
AZ to the facts, they belong aogethsr TO the past OF
The present They cannot BE- drawn from the future be
cause the uture has mover come II Of the ways o.
mere theorists 90 supply by I'd pred ction the total
81 either TACT or Augment. They take refuge IN the
clouds 81 Imagination when they driven from the Css
io Of Reason
The FIasr fAcr Be- that trade with England Scot
land aud Ireland, Wheator Flour almost nothing com
pared vif the msgnitadc Of our crops We have befor
the lss Treasury Report The Commerce and Navga
uoa OF the Uned siafesan suhenhe document complies
wih great care. IL shows the commerce Of the Unite,
Suites eAch particular srcs. with each district OF hi