Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-04-06

merchants are required TO send any goods to Mex
leo, ana, II they do so voluntarily, it will be be
cause they can make profit upan the mporla
ION tnere, and therefore they will have no righ
70 complain OF The duties levied in the ports
o. Me1ico, upon the consumers Of those goods
ine people OF Mexico. The whole money col
iected would inure to the benefit of our own Gov
eminent and people, TO sustain the war and lc
prevent to that extent, new loans and increased
taxation. Indeed, in view of the fact that The go
vernment is thrown upon the ordinary revenues
Tor peace, with no other additional resources but
loans 10 carry on the war, the income to be deriv.
ed from the new system, which, it is believed, will
be large, il these suggestions are adopted, would
be highly important TO sustain the credit OF the
Government, TO prevent the embarrassment OF The
treasury, and TO save the country from such ruin
Gus sacrifices as occurred during the last year,
including The inevitable legacy TO posterily oi
large debt and onerous taxation. The new sys-
tenn would not only arrest the expensive transfer
and ruinous drain OF specie TO Mexico, but would
cause it in duties. and in return for our exports,
70 re-how into our country to an amount per-
haps, soon exceeding the nine millions OF dollars
strictive laws OF Mexico, thus relieving our own
people from a grevious tax, and imposing it where
il should fall, upon our enemies, the people of
Mexico, as contribution levied upon them 10
conquer peace, as we'll as 10 defray The ex-
penses OF The war; whereas, by admitting our ex-
ports freely without duty into the Mexican ports,
which we may occupy from time TO time, and al
fording those goods, including the necessares OF
life, at less than one-hali the prices which they
had heretofore paid for them, the war might in
time become benefit, instead of burden 10 the
people OF Mexico, and they would, therefore, be
unwilling 10 terminate the contest 1t is hoped,
also, that Mexico, after peace, will never re-
new her present prohibilory and protective sys-
tenn, so nearly resembling that OF ancient China
or Japan, but that liberalzed enlightened and re-
generated by The contact and intercourse with our
people, and those of other civilized nations, she
will continue the far more moderate system OF
duties resembling that prescribed by these regu-
lations.
In The meantime it is not just that Mexico, by
her obstinate persistence in this contest should
compel US to overthrow our own financial policy,
and arrest this great nation in her high and pros
porous career. To reimpose high duties, would
be alike injurious 10 ourselves and 10 all neutral
powers, and, unless demanded by stern necessi-
ty, ungenerons 10 those enlightened nations which
have adopted, cotemporaneously with US, more
liberal commercial policy. The system you now
propose, of imposing The burden as far as pracli-
cable upon our enemies, the people of Mexico
and not upon ourselves or upon friendly ma
tions, appears 10 be most just in ITSELF and is fur
Their recommended as the only policy which is
likely TO hasten The conclusion OF inst and hon.
orable peace.
A tonnage duty on all vessels whether our OVID
or OF neutral powers, of one dollar per ion, which
is grearly less than that imposed by Mexico, is
recommended 10 lieu Of all port duties and
charges. Appended 10 these regulations are la
bles Of the rates OF which foreign money is fixed
by law, as also separate table of currencies by
usage, in which certificate of value is required
to be attached TO the invoice. There is also an
nexed table of foreign weights and measures
reduced TO the standard OF the United States, 10.
gelher with blank forms, 10 facilitate the uansac-
ton of business.
1t is recommended that the duties herein sug-
gested shall be collected exclusively in gold and
silver coin. These duties can only be collected
as military contribution, through the agency of
our brave officers of The army and navy, who
will no doubt cheerfuly and faithfully collect and
keep these moneys, and account for them, not 10
The treasury, but 10 the Secretaries of War or Of
the Navy respectively. 1t is recommended that
these duties be performed by the commandant Of
the posi- whether naval or military, aided by the
or purser, or other officer the accounts
OF each being countersigned by the other as
check upon mistakes or error, in the same man.
ner as is now the case with the collector or ma
val officer oil our several principal ports, which
has introduced so much order and accuracy INTO
our system. Ii is suggested that as in some ca.
ses the attention of the commandant OF the post
might be necessary for the performance OF other
duties, he be permitted 10 substitute some other
cffierr, making knowa sb- IA ri 10 ihe xa,rr!ari.s
Of War or OF the Navy, and subject 10 their d.
rection.
have the honor to be, with great respect, your
obed;ent servant. RI. WALKER,
Secretary otlhe Treasury.
To the PRESIDENT.
TThe tariff OF duties, &C., recommended BY the
of the Treasury, shall appear hereaf-