Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-04-20

one, does not the objection fall to The ground2-
But the new law will bring in morej and if the
Wings had come in 10 the support OF war duty
upon tea and coffee, Uhey had voted the same
duty in time ofpeace y the revenue would have
been greatly increased. The Tariff of 1916 has
thus far worked admirably, and, when its merits
shall become known, we doubt ~helher the most
prejudiced proteclionist will consen, to It's ire
peal"
TARIFF IN THE MEXICAN PORTS.
We have never known Sc. OF politicians so
completely foored, as those Wing presses which
have denounced The plan of the President 10 COL
lect duties in Mexican ports, assist in defraying
the expenses of the war; They assaIl it as "the
union Of the purse and The sword consumma'ed,"
1.-THE boldest stretch of Executive power" &C.
They torn a deaf ear to Inc common sense views
of their own political associates who avow that
the President has not exceeded his constitutional
authority; that it is right acquired by conquest,
and the President, by virtue OF his authority as
ommander-in-chiei Of the military and naval
forces Of the Union, may direct its enforcement,
without subjec,ng himself 10 the charge of usur-
patton, or of assuming 10 himself more power
than is conferred upon him BY the station which
he occupies All admit the wisdom Of the policy
and gentleman who had been largely engaged
10 commerce in Mexico, assured US few days
since, that several millions of dollars might be
be expected from this source OF revenue-,his
Commercial war" rs the Franco-American so
pihly describes il. But, say some Of The Wbig
papers, the President has been guilty OF the gross
est "usurpalon" in enforcing il without the sane
ton OF Congress, that he is rapidly becoming
liking" and the Government monarchy. They
could not lose so 6ue an occasion to make lille
political capital-but the bomb prepared for the
Administration has exploded in their own camp.
We publish below General Order of Gen. Scott,
who has himself established a tariff of duties in
the Mexican port Of Vera Cruz. We have not
vet seen the Wing denounce him as an"usurp-
introduce the order with the following Paixhan
shot from the Union. II has completely sienced
the enemies batteries:
"WuAr WILL DAME GRUNDY SAY TO THIS ~
The National InteIgencer is perfectly in fog.
Il scarcely knows how to Steer its misguided
ship amid the breakers which surround it. II it
abuses the war; and The manner OF conducting il,
why then comes glorious victory 10 silence lis
batteries. II, after indirectly sanctioning, ii
| should reprobate The levying OF American duties
in the Mexican ports in our possession, why then
comes Major Gen. Scott, without any instruc-
,ions from his government, undertaking to estab-
| lish Temporary tariff Of duties" by virtue of
| his own military powers. Is he an usurperl Is
| he arrogatng power which does mol belong 10
| hint II motif he, as the victor of conquer
ed port may legi,imateIy levy duties for any pur-
pose whatever, il he has the right 10 do il under
| The laws of war, why surely, the "commander.in-
chief of the army and navy OF the U. States" as
the President of the United States is so charged
and 80 called by the constitution ITSELF may for
tiori adopt similar regulations, and raise couribu-
thong for carrying on the war, in the conquered
ports of Mexico.
Gen. Scott wisely provides, in his general or
der. which we publish this evening, that "lhc Ia
riff so established Thy himsel) will be continued
untilthe instructions OF the government al home
shall be made known in the case" His tariff oil
course, will be superseded by The lons-considered
and we'll diges,ed regulations from the Treasury
Department, and sanctioned by The President, and
transmitted to the army and navy by the Secrela-
lies of War and Of the Navy. But This "usur-
patton" of power on The part of Gen. Scott is so
papable, il we may believe the last received ver-
sions of the National lntelligencer, that we are
curious to see in what manner Joseph Surface
will be able to escape from The dilemma in which
he has been pleased 10 place hmself-So long
as it was an administration measure, why, it was
all wrong; but now il is measure OF MAJOR Gen.
Scott it may be all right-lhe old story, perhaps,
of the lawyer and the farmer: "I3at nue,s TIC
case II is your bull Which has gored my o."
GENERAL ORDERS. No. Is.