Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-12-17

Q Ii. BY the simultaneous abandonment of the pro-
tectlVe policy by Great Britain and the United
States, new and important markets have already
been opened for agricultural and other products
commerce and navigation have received new i'm
pulse; labor and trade have been released from the
artificial trammels which have so long fettered them
and to great extent reciprocity, in the exchang'
OF commodities, has been introduced at the sam
time by both countries, and greatly for the benefit o.
both. Great Britain has been forced by the pres
sure OF circumstances at home to abandon a policv
which has been upheld for ages, and to open her
markets for our immense surplus of bread stuffs
and it is confidently believed that other powers of
Europe will ultimately see the wisdom, if they be
not compelled by the pauperism and sufferings of
their crowded population, to pursue a similar policy.
Our farmers are more deeply interested in main
tanning the just and liberal policy of the existing
law than any other class of our citizens. They
constitute large majority of our population; and it
is well known that when they prosper, all other pur-
suits prosper Also They have heretofore not only
received none of the bountes or favors of Govern
ment but by the unequal operations of the protect
i've policy, have been made, by the burdens of tax
alton which it imposed to contribute to the bounties
which have enriched Others
When foreign well as a home market is OPEN
ed to them they must receive, as they are now re-
cevlng, increased prices for their products. They
will find a reader sale, and at better prices for their
wheat -four, rice, Indian corn, beef, pork lard but
ter, cheese and other articles, which they produce.
The home market alone is inadequate to enable
them to dispose of the immense surplus of food and
other articles which they are capable of producing.
even at the most reduced prices, for the manifest
reason that they cannot be consumed in the coun-
try. The United States cam from their immense
surplus, supply not only the home demand, but the
deficiency of food required by the whole world
That the reduced production of some of the chief
articles of food of Great Britain, and other ports of
Europe, may have contributed to increase the de-
mand for our bread suffs and provisions it is not
doubted; but that the greet and efficient cause of
this increased demand and of increased prices, con-
siss in the removal of artificial restrictions hereto
fore imposed, is deemed to be equally certain That
our exports of food already increased and increas-
ing beyond former example, under the more liberal
policy which has been adopted will be still vastly
enlarged, unless they DC checked or prevented by
restoration OF the protective policy, cannot be doubt
ed. That our commerce and navigating interests
will be enlarged in a corresponding ratio with the
increase of our trade is equally certain while our
manufacturing interests will still be the favonte in
terests of the country and receive the incidental pro-
lection afforded them by revenue duties; and more
than this they cannot justly demand.
In my annual message of December last a tariff
OF revenue duties based upon the principles of the
existing law was recommended, and have seen no
reason to change the opinions then expressed In
view of the probable beneficial effects of that law
recommend that the policy established by it be main
tanned. 1t has but just commenced to operate; and
to abandon or modify it without giving it fair trial
would be nexpeGlent and unwise. Should defects
in any OF its details be asceralned by actual expert
ence to exist these may be hereafter corrected but
until such defects shall become manifest, the act
should be fairly tested.
1t is submitted for your consideration whether it
may not be proper, as war measure, to impose rev.
enue duties on some of the articles now embraced
in the free list. Should it be deemed proper to i'm
pose such duties, with view to raise revenue to
meet the expenses of the war with Mexico, or to
avoid to that extent the creation of public debt,
they may be repealed when the emergency which
gave rise to them shall cease 10 exist and constitute
no part ofthe permanent policy of the country
The act ofthe 9th of August last, to provide for
the better organization ofthe Treasury and for tho
collection, safe keeping transfer and disbursement
of the public revenue has been carried into execu-
ton rapidly as the delay necessary arising out Of
the appointment of new officers taking and approx
ing their bonds, and preparing and securing proper
places for the sate-keeplng OF the public money
would permit. 1t is not proposed to depart in any
respect from the principles or policy on which this
great measure is founded. There are, however, de-
tects in the details OF the measure, developed by its
practical operation, which are fully set forth in the
report Oh ule oGCTelTy OIL inc feaSufy, 10 winch the
attention of Congress is invited. These de-
fects would impair to extent the successful
operation of the law at all times, but are espe-
cially embarrassing when the country is engaged in
war, when the expenditures are greatly increased,
when loans to be effected, and the disbursements
to be made at points many hundred miles dis
tant, in cases, from any depository and large
portion of them in foreign country. The modti-
catlons suggested in the report of the Secretary of
the Treasury are recommended to your favorable
consideration.
In connection with this subject invite your
importance of establishing branch of the L. s. Mint at New
York. TTohlrd Of the venue derived from customs being
collected at that point the demand for specie pay duties will
be large; and branch mint where foreign and bullion
Immediately American coin would greatly
facilitate the public business enlarge the circulation gold
silver and be- at the same mc safe depository of the public
m9 %S # and ,,sn.inu no
of public lands have long been in the market the min
mnm legal rate ana remain unso induces me again to
ommend the subject to your favorable consideration. Many
millions lands been market
for than 30 years. and larger quantities for than 1913
20 years and being an inferior quality they must remain
saeabe for indefinite period unless the price be reduced
To place price upon them their cal value only
to prevent their SALE and thereby deprive the treasury of
income from that source but is unjust the States in which
they e because rctnds their growth and increase in popuu
hon and because they have power to levy taxes them
upon other lands within their limits held by other proprie
tors than the u for the support of the local government
The beneficial effects of the graduation principle have been
limits adopted. They have been demon
strated also by the u States acting the trustee the Chick
Alabama. These lands which would command in market
tho price fixed by Law in pursuance Of the treaty Of 1894
with that tribe, subsequently offered for sale graduated and
reduced rates for limited periods The result was large
quantities ftese lands purchased which would other
wise have remained unSold The lands disposed Of
their real value and many persons of limited
bed purchase small tracts upon which they have settled with
their families. That similar Its would be produced by the
adoption of the graduation policy by the u States DO
doubted 1t be sound policy to withhold large
ties lands from the and occupation of citizens by
ing upon them prices which they will not command On tho
contrary it wise policy afford facilities citizens
become the owners low and moderate rates. of rcchos Of
their own instead being the and dependents of 9TH
be appehcndcd that these lands if reduced in price,
would be secured in large quantities by spectators capital
lists the sales may be restricted in limited quantities. actual
settlers persons purchasing for purposes of cultivation
In last annual message submitted for the consideration
Congress the present system Of the mineral lands
of the United States and recommended that they should be
brought and sold upon such and under
restrictions congress might prescribe BY the act Of the 18th
July last "e reserved lead mines and contiguous lands in
the State Of Illinois and Arkansas, and Territories Of Wiscon
sin and Iowa." authorised be sold The Act con-
fined operation, ''ead and contiguous lands ~
large portion the public lands containing copper
other ores; represented to be valuable and
mend that provision be made authorizing the these
lands upon such and conditions their supposed value
may the judgment Of Congress be deemed advisable having
due regard the interests of such ofour citizens may be To-