Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-09-22
Letter from, VIZ. CLAY.

Messrs. HoyI & Co., manufacturers Of Floor Oil Cloths,
having recently obtained the precise dimensions Of the
Hall at Ashland, finished and fashioned an oil cloth exact
ly to it, and then despatched it to its destination, accom-.
panied by a brief letter, in which they ask Mr.. CIay's &C.
ceptance Of that specimen OF American manufactures, in
token OF their senso Of his "many and gieat public servi.
ces," and Of gratitude for his powerful advocacy OF the
interests OF American labor" The OH Cloth reached IT'S
destination safely, and its reception is acknowledged by
Mr.. Clay in the following interesting letter. As the New
York Courier well remarks, it il the letter Of a genuine
patriot, quite sincere in his own views Of the policy bes,
fitted to advance the happiness and prosperity Of the Anne.
rcan people, and yet more soliciious for the welfare Of mis-
country than even for the triumph Of his own views Of po-
Icy, if happy they should prove erroneous:
ASHLAND, Sept. 10th, l546.
GeHflsmen:-I received your favor Of the Sd ult, 7cye-
raj weeks ago, and ! have within a few days rasi. safely re-.
ceiyed the piece Of Floor Oil CIo'h, 10 which it refers,
which you have kindly presented 10 me, 10 cover the floor
Of my nall. 1t came IN perfect order, have been put up
with remarkable care. IL now occupies the place for which
1t was designed, and is greatly admired for the soidiiy OF
the fabric, and the taste aud beauty Of the brilliant colors
which adon u Il would successfully compare with any
piece OF floor oil cloth, manufactured In foreign countries
or at home, that have ever seen. beg your acceptance
Of my cordial thanks and grateful acknowledgement for d.
You have done me the favor 70 present me this valuable
article. a. you are pleased 20 state, for my "many and
great public services and Is a token Of your gratitude for
NY "Power!u! advocacy Of the interests Of American indus.
try"
- an nappy, EcuNemcnt tnus 10 aaFe secured your ap-
probation. in looking back, from my retirement, upon my
public career. there u no part Of my public eIeriions which
/ contemplat with more subtraction than the support which
Throughout, the whole Of il, ! constantly. zealously, and
fhithiuIy gave 20 the industry Of my own country. Its
prosperity and adversely has been s. infsllibly marked, by
the adequacy or inadequacy Of protection, as the themom.
eter indicates heat or cold. ] believe that the system Of
protection, notwithstanding the Opyo8iuOu which 10 has Of
ten encountered, has pushed the nation forward half a cen.
iury In advance OF where u would have been, u the doc.
ir,nes Of tree trade had always prevailed in our public coun-
els. Whether % will be pushed back again, to the same
or any other extent, by The Tanf recently established.
which has sought TO subveu the previous system, and 10 EN-.
body those doctrines, rematns 20 be seen.
] confess that / soriously ]apprebend great injury 10 the
general business 1i the country end uIumatolyto the revenue
Of the Government If there shs. not be q large addition
10 te amount of our f5fsig On impo;t1iOns. the treasury mus,
experience q large dDfeit i ttrfe should be an addition
Sufficient 10 compensate the rcduct on of duties, the increase
must be pad for by an equivalent increase IN the value Of
our export, Or the baiancs must be adjusted in specie. I
have n0tthe rcm1test expectation that we shall be abls 70
The country. We, In the West, do not believe f1atfHe ne.
taxation In the British system OF restriction, be- going % Gre
as any considerable demand for the surplus n our ayucu-
turll produce. We shaI, fear DO constrained ~ resort
90 The other alternative, Bro The event Of an excess Oi lmp1s-
iarDns and p1y f.r them Bro precious metals. / need not
dwell on the commercial disorder. the smbau-s4ments In
every department. of business. and The wide spread ruin
which would be Dccasioust BY a constant expectation Of
specie 30 large amounts. We have had experience enough
Of these fatal Consequence, whenever protection of our
Industry haH been inadequate.
10 oil tlesc views, may be- entirely mistaken. 70 may
turn out that our imp1rstOns viii continue f1 flourish
and Increase. 'hat'b country will continue 10 prosper and
that the revenue Of the government will be ample. Aur.
iols iof he welfare and property Of ihe nation, whatever
councils or systems ri policy may prevail. ! shall be- most
happy 10 ind hcse results realized, and Inst hsye suons.
o1siy entertained tho opinions 20 which / have ~ long
sincerely adhered.
In every contingency, gentlemen. pray your acceptance
Of my best wishes 'afthe success 0f your beautiful manI-
iactufe' and Tor your health, ]happror md prosperity.
am with great respect, your friend and OBJ ssry'L
r.. CLAY.