Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-07-11
RICHMOND DAILY WING.
Free Trade and Direct Taxation.

sho lNeW tofh Journal OF commerce 10 an
ira advocate OF the free trade policy-under the
influence. il is said, we know not how Justly, ofths
foreign importing houses in that city, by which il
rs very literally patronized. Its Washington cor
respondent adapts his opinions this subject to
tho character Of the paper. With rather more
candor, however, than has been exhibited by his
associates, in the insane attempt-likely, we fear
TO be successful one-to revolutionize the com.
mercial and financial policy of the country, [un-
less indeed his admissions be ascrbabs to his SUI.
perior Penetration,] he prepares the people to
anticipate result which We concur with him in
believing must sooner or later be the consequence
Of the proposed change-to wit, DIRECT TAXA.
TON, to defray the ordinary expenses of the Gov
eminent. The leading article of the Government
Paper, published on the evening Of the day
which the Tariff Bill passed the House OF Repre-
sentatives by system Of bargaining, intrigue
and management, unprecedented in the annals
of American legislation betrayed extravagant
emotions of Joy, and ventured to indulge in the
most absurd predictions Of the beneficial effects
which are to flow from this measure both in
financial and commercial point of view-a mea.
sure unjust to those who have been induced by the
uniform policy of the Government heretofore to
embark their capital in manufacturing and mining
pursuits Ubiquitous in the means by which it was
forced through the House and destined to exert
parayzing and destructive influence on all the
great interests of the country. Hear what the
Washington correspondent says of one of its pre-.
dictions:
Z" The Union expresses the opinion that the Bill will
yield twenty eight millions. II very extrayaR ant es
mate and Tar exceeds that Of the Secretary Mr. Mckay
probably nearly correct in his estimate of twenty
milliOna-uhrh he 4. -
The truth Is, as Mr.. Mckay admitted IL is a matter of
guesswork. Ii must be tested by experiment The re-
suit must be that the increasing expenditures the gov
eminent cannot be met by duties imports alone Some
new sources OF revenue be devised The revenue
from lands WILL for hardly equal the expense Of their
management-he extinction OF Indian titles &C. in the
boundess territories Of the West which have come or re
soon 10 come, under the denomination OF the public lands
The estimate OF two and millions from the lands
rs quite enough at all events Direct ultimate.
ly and before long be resorted to-"
We have heretofore expressed the opinion to
which we still adhere, that the annual revenue
under the new Tariff Bill, will not exceed twenty
millions of dollars, and will more probably, after
the first year Of its operation, during which we
may look for excessive importations, be less than
fifteen. In either case there must be large an
nual deficit, even though the war with Mexico
shall be speedily terminated--the expenditures Of
the Government, for several years past, having
amounted to about twenty-siI millions per an.
mum. How is this deficit TO be supplied The
Public Lands, it is apparent, will soon cease to be
a source of revenue, in conformity with General
Jackson's advice, given many years ago. The
Graduation Bill, which has Just passed the Sem
ate, and which will, we presume, pass the House
OF Representatives also, is the first step towards
the conscation of the interest of the old States in
the Public Domain. 1t is bid for Western votes
which will, as the West grows in strength, and be.
comes, as II soon must the dominant influence in
the legislation of the country, be cited as pre-.
cedent for the unconditional and absolute ce,sion
oil the Lands to the States in which they lie By
what MEANS then, we again ask, is this enor
nous annual deficit to be suppliedl There is but
one answer-and ii is frankly given by the wri
ter above quoted: Direct Tares must ultimate
~, and before long, be resorted 10. " There
Is no alternative. The Federal Marshal must On
hand in hand with the State Sheriff, to make an
inventory of the property Of the people, and to COL
lect the taxes assessed upon it for the support of
the Federal Government. The "inquisitoriaI and |
dOmciliary" visits of double set of tax.psther.
ers will be witnessed throughout the country; and
the successor of Thomas Jefferson and his pro.
fessed disciple, will no longer be able to adopt
that great mans congratulatory language to Con.
gress, when he pointed to the exemption of the
American people from this onerous burthen as one
OF the distinguishing characteristics Of our free
institutions.
How this burthen will be borne by the people
may be inferred from the repugnance exhibited
at this very session Of Congress to the imposition
OF duty upon Tea and Coffee, even as a tempo
rary War tar and in the face of an Executive
recommendation, backed by the almost daily ex
hortatOns Of the In MON, and its insulting imputa
lions upon the patriotism Of those members by
whom II was oPposed-though, (strange to telll)
we afterwards saw the Chairman of the Commit.
tee OF Ways and Means, himself the ryan OF the
Executive, on the floor of the House. sneakingly
withdraw this very proposition, without word
OF complaint from the official organl But how
light and inconsequental is duty upon Tea and
Cotiee, compared with tar upon Land, Negroes
and other property. Every man can make an
estimate of the vast difference, in every point of
view, for himself
We know that there is certain class Of
our politicians in favor Of Direct Tax,
though they have not had the nerve TO avow
IT, That same class is in favor of Free Trade.
and we do not doubt that many Of them advocate
the latter, the first step to the introduction Of
che former. But whether this be so or not the
result is not, IN opinion. less certain. "Drect
Taxes must ultimately, and before long, be resor.
tee to-" To this complexion we must come at
last and the people may make up their minds to
meet, unless they think il wiser TO avert the Gala
m'iy-ior such we should regard h--by eGpelling
from power the men whose wild experiments
must necessarily lead to change so radical and
revolutionary in Us character, and 80 obJectOna.
bic and oppressive in It's operation.
GTThe Pmsdelphis Sentinel, decided Locofoco %
per. thus speaks Of the eommsrcal policy Of the Admin
isssuOni-"The Warehouse system s British al over Br
itch worken are 70 make the goods British Agents to cell
them, British ships are to Gerry them British carpenters
nggeTs. bseksrnths &c ere 70 build the British ships
BRITISH captains TO command ihem sod British sailors "a
them, and the only hing that American connected