The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1846-10-09
Letter from ur. Clay.

Floor OIL Cloths, having recently obtained
the precise dimensions of the Hall at Ash.
land, finished and fashioned an oil cloth
exactly 10 iit, and then despatched it TO lis
destination, accompanied by brief letter,
/ in which they ask Mr.. Clay 5 acceptance Of
that specimen of American manufactures,
Il ia token Of their sense Of his "many and
great public services, and of gratitude
/ for his powerful advocacy Of the interests
Of American labor" The Oil Cloth reach.
ed its destination safely, and its reception
is acknow lodged by Mr. Clay ia the fol-
lowing interesting letter. As the New
York Courier well remarks, it is the let.
ter Of genuine patriot, quite sincere ~
his own views Of the policy best fitted to
advance the happiness ard prosperity Of
the American people, and yet more solici
,ous for the welfare Of his country than
even for the triumph Of his own views Of
policy, il hnpIy they should prove erronc.
Gus Richmond Wig.
ASHLAND, Sept. 10Th, 1916.
Gentlemen ~ received your favor OF
the 81 ult., several weeks ago, and have
within few days past, safely received the
piece Of Floor Oh Cloth. TO which i, re.
iers, which you have kindly presented To
me, to cover the floor Of my hall. II came
N porlec, order, having been put up with re.
mafkabe care. Ii nov occupies the place
for which II was designed, and Is greatly
admired for the solldlty Of the fabric, aud
the taste and beauty OF the brilliant colors
which adorn Il. Il would successfully
compare With any piece Of floor oil cloth,
manufactured in foreign countries or Of
home, that have ever seen. | beg your
acceptance Of my cordial thanks and grate-
tu acknow Judgments Cor H.
gu have done me the favor to present
me tins valuable article, as you are pleased
10 state, Tor my "many aud great public
services, aud as token Of your gratitude
tct ~ powerful advocacy Of lhe inter.
est of Nnte IAN industry"
~ ar IS W, gentlemen. thus 10 have
securea lou appreciation In looking
bacG, from my retirement. lpon ms public
career, tllafe IS no pa, n my pubic exer.
tons which contemplate with more salts
faction than the support which throughout
The whole Of i, constantly, zeaously and
faithfully gave to lie industry Of my own
country. It's prosperity and adversely mas
been as inlallibly marked, by the adequa.
cy o. iaadeqlacy Of protection, as tie Their.
mone,er indicates heat or cold. believe
that the syslemof protection, no,withstand
M the opposition which Il has often en-.
otuntered, has pushed The nation forward
half century 10 advance ofwhcre II would
/ have been, it the doctrines Of free trade
had always prevailed in our public coun.
ellis, Whether Il vii be pushed back a.
gam, TO the same or any other extent, by
The Tariff recently established, which has
sought 10 subylr the pres iuus system, and
10 embody those doctrines remains TO be
seen.
/ confess that | seriously apprebcnd
grea, injury to the genera. business Of the
coualry and ultimately to g.a fafcnue Of
the Government. Ii there ,aali not be- a
large addition 10 tie amount Of our foreign
Imp0ftations, ne treasury mus! experience
a large fefot. II there should be an al.
dillon sufficient to compensas for the reduc.
lion Of duties, the increase must be paid
for by an equivalent increase in the value
Of our exports, or the balance must be al.
Justed IN specie. | have not the remnlest
expectation that Sc shall DO able 10 effect
payment, BY additional expectation Of the
products Of the country. We, in the West.
do not believe that tie relaxation in the
! Brush system Of restrlc ion, IL going 10
create any considerable demand for the
surplus OF our agricultural produce. We
shall, Tear, be constrained to resort 10
the other alternative, To the event Of an
excess OF importalous and pay for them
IN precious metals. need not dwell On
the commercial disorder, the embarra,s.
Wents in every department Of business, and
the vide spread ruin which would be DC
casIoned by a constant expectation OF she
lStN W tet ~ ulitbbiF5' W Z nave nAu <
Perlence enough Of these fatal consequen
ces, whenever protection Of our industr,
has been inadequate.
/ In all these views, | may be entirel,
, mistaken. 1t may turn out that our i'm
por'a'lous will continue 10 flourish aud In
crease; that tho country will continue /,
V, prosper aud that The revenue Of the gov
u ernment viii be ample. Anxious for tn
welfare and prosperity Of the nation, whaI
y ever councils or systems Of policy ma
y prevail, shall be most happy to find thes
y results realized, and that have erronc
: ously entertained the opinions 10 which
|" have 50 long sincerely adhered.
" In every contingency, gentlemen, pra
~ your acceptance Of my best wishes for III
T. success Of your beautiful manufacture, an
' for your health, happiness and prosperr,
~ am, with great respect,
" our friend aud obi serv't,
- II. CLAY.
1t NOBODY.
he !