Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1847-05-27

mode of compelling a repeal of their mo-
nopoIies, by which thosaburdens, which
have long fettered the trade, will be removed.
"Tobacco Planter" says he has no doubt
that "Engand will relax the rigor of her
revenue system in this feature, as expe-
rience continues to demonstrate that re-
duction Of duties is attended by an increase
of revenue.o England is long since out of
her infancy, and is not apt to abandon
fruitful source of revenue unless she sees it
to be her interest. But we entertained hopes
and expectations in 1902, when the late
Rufus King represented this Government at
the Court of England, and urged repeal of
their discriminating duty of 80 cts. pound
upon our tobacco, that she would relax the
rigor of her revenue system in this feature,
and repeal this discriminating tax. But our
application was without success. We could
not resort then to a countervaiIng policy,
as recommended by President Jefferson, be-
cause we were dependent upon her for
many of her productions, for which we had
! found no substitutes. But our s'freedom OF
industry and unfettered enterprise" has plac-
ed us in a different situation. All the ne
cessary commodities, for our comfort and
happiness, for supply OF which we were
dependent upon Europe, we can now make
for ourselves; and would close our ports,
not only to the productions of England, but
to those Of every nation of Europe where
our tobacco is burdened with onerous re-
strictions, until those restrictions are remov-
ed and their duties upon this article of our
commerce, are reduced to reciprocal STAN
dard. That is the free trade system that [.
sides-and such system will be adopted,
whenever the governments Of Europe, that
have found market among US for their pro-
auctions, shall be convinced that that mar
ket will be forever lost to them unless their
ports are opened to our tobacco on fair terms.
Those governments have reposed upon the
belief that we could not do without their
commodities, and that the high duties on to-
bacco might be retained with impunity. tits
due to US that we should teach them different
lesson, and justice will be done to this in
terest. A similar course has produced sim
liar results, as to other interests, and why
not to the tobacco trade. i'll mistake not
this policy will be adopted and the govern
ments of Europe, particularly of England,
will relax their tobacco restrictions. They
know our situation that the heavy debt
which has been created, and is increasing,
by the present illjujged Presidential war,
must be provided for; that it is to be done by
direct taxes, or by an increase of duties up
no imports. They know that a direct tax
will not be resorted to, and a necessary re-
sort to higher rate of duties upon some
articles, will compel the governments of Eu-
rope to propose terms of accommodation, as
tot the tobacco trade. A countervailing policy
by our Government, would be as unwel-
come to the governments of Europe, as it
seems TO be to tobacco Planter and they
will relax their restrictions sooner than see
US adopt it.
To reply to the broad assertions of this
writer, as to the absence of argument to sus-
tain my positions, and the extent of the trea-
ty-making power over the revenue of the
Government, would occupy more space in
your columns than could ask, and more
time than | have to devote to his visions
and fancies. My views and the argument
are before the country, and do not fear its
, judgment.
This writer mistakes, or misrepresents
, my views, not only upon ''the purpose" of
the Speech, and the argument, as to the
powers of the Executive, over the revenue,
! but as to the effect and operation of duties
, upon the imports, and the labor, and indus
try Of the country. There is no conflict
between this Speech on the Tobacco Trade
and that delivered by me in the House of
r. Representatives, on the lst Of August, on
o the Revenue System Of the Government
claim protection to the tobacco interest,
which is extended TO all others. shew
, that it can only be afforded by legislation
Il, that the country is now in a situation to de-
mand it of the governments of Europe that
] negotiation has failed to place it upon a re-
cprocal basis, and that the other mode, sug-
! gested by the ablest statesmen of the coun-
try, and resorted to for the protection of
other interests, alone remains, and that it is
, due TO the tobacco interest that it should be
tried. In my Speech on the Tobacco Trade,
have not reflected upon the course of any
Representative of the tobacco interest from
any part of the United States. lwellknow
The difficulties, to be overcome, in combining
sufficient strengthen Congress,to effect any
+ measures which would aid the tobacco inte-
rest. The Representatives from Maryland
have, | believe, been always watchful over
this interest-some of them with a zeal and
ability which their constituents and the
country duly appreciated and acknowledge
ed. 1t is the unequal and unjust policy, of
most of the governments of Europe, that |
complain of, and cannot yield my opinion
unless convinced Of its error, thar system
of discriminating duties by our Government,
would bring about repeal of The onerous
restrictions upon the tobacco trade, and