Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-01-09

much that we have introduced system which may bring the
down below the demands of peace establishment
but is that have tied hands that we have mana
ced feet that longer at liberty to act at all
upon this great subject of supplying the pressing wants OF the
Treasury. What is to be done The resolution of my
honorable friend is calculated to disturb the existing law
Well, may for it; but are told the law must not be
distubedcanno be disturbed The Secretary might have
ecommended-ithou essentially disturbing his theoy-he
might have recommended general addition to the rates OF
duty in all the schedules of this law, except perhaps the last
This think, might have been done but IT seems that this
is proposed and is not to be proposed we'll sr mas
been the settled policy of this Government from its ounda
on look mpos duties alone for revenue except in time
Of war; This the reliance, the main resource, every
one knows and every knows too, that the last war
materially diminished mpos duties during its continuance
because il a with great commercial nation and
commerce greatly disturbed but regards the present
war that is the Our great and sole reliance for
revenue left TO be available, if we had adapted laws
TO III but have done so, and told that
cannot do it, WE'LL what then can be done There is no
proposition for any other mode of indirect taxaon and be-
eve there enough in both Houses of Congress who be-
leve that this great Of revenue, impos must be fairly
exhausted before resort be had to any other whether
time of peace let the condition Of the country be what
may 1t the settled policy of this country that this
of revenue be thoroughly exhausted before the people
can be called to contribute from any other Well, sir
exhausted Why does not accord with the theory OF
the Secretary the chairman of the Finance Committee
here increase the by raising the duties Accord
their theory raise you must reduce the du
money he get into the Treasury by further reduction
willing that the experiment should be tried do not
say that would for such law, because have
no belief in the doctrine believe that duties will produce
in the proportion which they bear the mpoatons
in the aggregate Ipoatons governed by the amount
of exports by the state of the currency, and other things
hence think the position well established that the
of will depend upon the average of duties. And
this whole scheme of increasing the revenue by diminish
ing the Duties found to be not only hypothesis, not
only experiment. but sir it is experiment which IS to
be tried in the face of facts and opposition to whole
experience That experience has shown that the rate of
duties has had influence the mportaons, but the
has been invariably greatest when the rate OF duties
highest The of the currency has had thousand
times influence upon the amount Of mpoatons than
the rate OF duties has had whether high low This them
experiment to increase the by diminishing the
duties, directly CONTRARY all experience experiment
already exploded as entirely ineihcacious.
Well sir Continued Mr.. NILES have said pretty much
all intended say. for one protest against this policy
protest against inconsistent with the protection OF the
country inconsistent with the vigorous prosecution OF the
and creating unnecessarily national debt Why do
gentlemen think that because have small
hands, they absolved from reasonable accord to their
principles And is it not of the first principles OF
the Democratic party at least-and believe might say
of both parethat national debt is national curse, and
should be avoided il possible to be avoided Nothing but
extreme hazard nothing but in which country might
be suddenly engaged by powerful invading force justify
reliance solely and exclusively loans and the creation OF
national debt. And shall do nothing in small war OF
this kind Shall do nothing to sustain the Treasury
Shall not bear part at least OF the burden that we
thus creating Is it all to be handed to poseny
Are going to entail upon those who after us the
blessings of national debt of perhaps hundred millions
And, sir, let make another remark This is the way,
suppose that carry out this system falsely called
free trade ysem-a misnomer altogether. There such
thing free trade in this country, and there can be none
long the settled policy of the country remains the same
that is raise from imports, because the two
things are incompatible with each other.
Sir have taken up time than intended but this is
subject not easily got rid Of under the impression
that after national debt had begun TO be created, should
hear Of free trade but appears that we are
still have this wonderful system of free trade ntroduced
national debt being the basis of it! laugh Every body
could see what must be the result They Of course
back a system Of high duties am not an advocate
for high system of duties but for simple revenue system
believe however, the Of the country should in time
Of peace any rate be derived wholly from imports, with
the exception of what may be derived from the sales of the
public lands and would avoid by all means, in time o.
war; reduction which necessarily embaass the finances
| of the Government.
Mr. BENTON rose and observed that he hoped the que
ton would be aken unless Senator should be par
culay DESTROYS of addressing the Senate upon this subject
in which he would Of give way but be de-
srous OF introducing matter which he considered OF some
Importance and he would be glad, therefore, that this SHOULD
be now disposed of.
Mr. JOHNSON, of Maryland said it was not his purpose
offer any observations regard either the original
luton the amendments which had been offered to it; bn
4
the Senator from Mississippi
! Mr.. ]. then submitted the following
''And whether his opinion any which may be laid
upon articles will the price Of the the
consumer any amount and, if any, to what amount"
Mr.. SPEIGHT accepted this amendment modification
| of his
And the question being taken the amendments, they
were agreed TO.
And the resolution, amended, then adopted and
/ as follows:
Resolved That the Secretary of the Treasury be drecte,
report the Senate what articles embraced the tariff
OF SAC the duties be increased beyond the existing
augment the and TO what extent thu
said duties be increased and what additional revenue wou
hererom and furthermore that he be requested
report what article the free list may be taxed and wha
OF duty should be laid thereon and that he also
port what articles the rates of duties may be reduced
below those imposed by the aforesaid act TO increase
the the rate Of such reduction, and the amount
which the would probably be increased thereby
aud whether in his opinion any which may be laid upor
such articles will increase the price Of the to the
sumner to any amount and, if any, to what amount
| NAvAL-The sloop-of-war Albany, Commander BREEsE
arrived Pensacola the 22d ulmo, in eight days from
Havana correspondent of the Pcayune that the
only she brings of any consequence is that Mexican
Commodore in Havana endeavorng issue commission
prvatees and letters Of marque. The authorities of thu
island had forbid his issuing them Spanish subjects, but
was believed he would Try and induce foreigners accep
them. The object Of the Abanys visiting Havana
ascertain the fact Of any having been issued havnt
ing the Gulf squadron for which she would sail in few days
1 -. 4 ~. IL