Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-04-22


duties in the ports of Mexico was well considered b.
the President and his Cabinet, and approved if Mexi
CO should determine to protract the contest. Order
to collect these duties in California were actually
transmitted, as has been shown as early as the ST.
Of November last which orders have probably reach
ed their destination before this date 1t would have
been enforced sooner at Tampco and Matamoras, bu
tor the hope that the contest might be terminated BY
peaceful negotiation. Money being the sinews o
war, the revenues of the beligerent necessary
TO their armies or naves; and these reve
nues being public property, may be seized and con
fscated and diverted to our own use during the con
test. rs,.a
Mexico now sezes all our public property and re-
venues, wherever she can fud them. She is endea-
| voring also TO enlist the whole world in general
spoaton of our commerce and revenue by the seiz.
ure of American merchant vessels and cargo on eve-
ry sea, so to weaken our resources and augment
her own. The Secretary of the Treasur, calculates
large addition 10 our resources from these du-
ties. - ~ -
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.,
March 30, lS47.
Sir Your instructions of the 22d instant have
been received by this department and in conformity
thereto present you herewith for your consideration
scale of duties proposed to be collected as militia
~ contribution during the war; in the ports of Next
CO, In the possession of our army navy by con-
quest, with regulations for the ascertanmen and COL
lection of such Duties together with the reasons which
appear to me to recommend their adoption.
1t is clear that either adopt our own tariff
or that OF Mexico, or establish system Of du-
ties. Our own tariff could not be adopted because
the Mexican exports and imports different from
our own, that different rates of duties indispensa-
bic in order to collect the largest revenue. Thus up
many articles produced III great abundance here
duties must be imposed the lowest rate in order 10
collect any revenue; whereas, many of the same ar
ticles are not produced in Mexico or TO very cons-
derable extent and would therefore bear there's much
higher duty for great change is also rem
dered necessary By the proposed exacton of duties on
all imports TO any Mexican port in possession
from any other Mexican port occupied by us in the
same manner. This measure would largely increase
the revenue which might collect. 1t is recon-
mended, however, for reasons of obvious safety, that
this Mexican coast-wise trade should be confined to
own vessels, as well the interior trade above
any port of entry in our possession but that in all
other respects the ports Of Mexico he'd by us should
be freely opened the of duties therein recon-
mended TO the vessels and commerce of all the world
The ad valorem system adopted by u.s. although by far
the Just and equitable yet requires an appraise-
ment ascertain the actual value of every article
This demands great mercantile skill knowledge and
experience, and therefore, for the of skill ap-
praisers- class of officers wholly unknown in Next
co-coud not at once be put into successful operation
there. If also, proposed, these duties to be
ascertaned and collected a military contribution
through the officers of army and navy, those brave
men could more easily perform almost any other duty
than that of estimating the value of every description
of goods wares, and merchandise.
The system Of specific duties already prevails in
Mexico, and may be put by into immediate opera
ton; and if is conceded specific duties should be
more burdensome upon the people of Mexico, the
sooner is il likely they will force their military rulers
forbearing system of warfare. collecting duties in
their ports in possession the gulf, and evyng
no contribution, whilst our armies purchase supplies
from them at high prices, by rendering the war be-
nefit the people of Mexico rather than injury,
has not FASTENED the conclusion of a peace. 1t may
be, however, that specific duties, they are,
and heavy contributors. accompanied by vigorous
prosecution of the war; may more speedily insure III at
peace which we have failed to obtain from magnani-
nous forbearance, from brilliant victories, from
proffered negotiation. The dut es, however, whilst
they may be specific and therefore onerous than
nd valorem dutes should not be SO high TO defeat
revenue.
1t is impossible to adept as a basis the tariff of
Mexico because the duties extravagantly high.
importation, commerce, and revenue, and
innumerabe frauds and smuggling. There
ire also sixty articles, the Importation of which into
ef0Drd-
cling most of the necessaries OF life, and far the
greater portion of our products and fabrics.
Among the sixty prohibited articles are sugar. rice,
cotton boots half boots Coffee nails of all kinds lea
Their of kinds -four cotton yarn and thread, soap
Of all kinds, common earthenware, lard, molasses,
timber Of all kinds saddles of all kinds coarse woolen
CLOTH cloths for cloaks made clothing of all
kinds SALT tobacco Of oil kinds cotton goods or tex
lures, chiefly such as made BY ourselves, pork,
fresh or sailed, smoked corned, woollen cotton
blankets or counerpanes, shoes and slippers, wheat,
md grain Of all kinds Such is list Of but part
Of the articles whose importation is prohibited BY the
Mexican tariff. These prohibitions should not be
permitted to continue, because they exclude most of
products andabrics, and prevent the collection Of
revenue. feH
We turn from the prohibitions to the actual duties
imposed by Mexico. The duties are specific through
out and almost universally by weight, irrespective of
ralue. generally protective exorbant, and
without any discrimination for The duties
proposed to be substituted are moderate. when CON-
pared with those imposed by Mexico being generally
reduced to a standard more than half below the
Mexican duties. The duties are also based on dis
elimination throughout for revenue, and, keeping
view the and habits Of the people of Mexico
20 different from cur own, fixed in each at
that rate which, it is believed, will produce in the
Mexican ports the largest amount of revenue.
In order TO realize from this system the largest
amount Of revenue it would be necessary that
my and navy should seize every important port and
place upon the Gulf of Mexico, California. the
Pacific, and open the way through the interior
for tie free transit of imports and exports. and
especially that the interior passage through the Mex
can isihmus should be secured from ocean ocean
for the benefit Of commerce. and that of all the
world. This measure, whilst it would greatly in
crease our revenue from these duties, and facilitate
between our forces upon the eastern
and western coasts Of Mexico, would probably lead at
Tho lsion of peace to results of incnlculabe