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

measures above indicated, would largely increase thu
production and circulation of the precious metals i'm
prove our own commerce and industry, and that of al
: neutral powers. .-s 80. -. ..
In thus opening the ports of Mexico to the com
merce OF The world, you would present to all nations
with whom at peace the best evidence of oul
desire to maintain with them friendly relations
to render the to them productive of as little nu-
y possible, and to advance their interests SC
far as 1t safely can be done, by atiordng them in
common with ourselves. the advantages of liberal
commerce with Mexico. To extend this commerce
you will have unsealed the ports of Mexico repealed
their Interior transit duties which obsruct the
Of merchandise to and from the coast; you will have
annulled the government duty coin and bullion
and abolished the heavy export duties on the precious
metals, so as to permit them 10 flow out freely for the
benefit of mankind you will have expunged the long
list OF their prohibited articles, and reduced more than
One-balf their duties on imports, whilst the freest
scope would be left for the mining of the precious
metals. These are great advantages which would b.
secured to friendly nations especially when compared
with the exclusion of their commerce by rigorous
blockades 1t is true, the duties collected from these
imports would be for the benefit of our own govern
meut, but it is equally true, that the expenses of the
war which Mexico insists upon prosecuting, are
borne exclusively by ourselves and not by foreign
TONS Ii cannot be doubted but that all neutral na-
tons will in the adoption of such course by you
a manifestation Of your good will towards them. and
| a strong desire to advance those Just and humane
principles, which make it the duty of belligerents as
we have always commended to render the in which
they are engaged, as little injurious practicable to
neutral powers .-s
These duties would not be imposed upon any m-
ports in country, but only upon imports into
Mexico, and the tax would fall upon the people of
Mexico In the enhancement to them of the prices of
these imports. Nearly all own products are es:-
cuded BY the Mexican tariff even in time of peace
they are also excluded during the war, SO far as we
continue the system of bockadng any of the ports of
Mexico; and they also excluded even from the
ports not bockaded possession of Mexico, whereas
the new system would soon open to commerce all
the ports of Mexico as they shall fall into our mill
tary possession. Neither own foreign mer-
chants required to send any goods TO Mexico and
1t they do so voluntarily, it will be because they can
make profit upon the importation there, and there
fore they will have right TO complain of the duties
levied In the ports of Mexico. The whole money
collected would inure the benefit of our own gov
eminent and people, to sustain the war; and to pre-
vent, to that extent new loans and increasing taxa
ton. Indeed in view of the fact that the government
is thrown upon the ordinary revenues for peace with
no other additional but loans carry the
war, the income to be derived from the new system
which 1t Is believed, Will be large, If these sugges-
tons are adopted, would BE- highly important sus-
tain the credit of the government, to prevent the en-
barrassment of the treasury, and the country
from such ruinous sacrifices occurred during the
last year, including the inevitable legacy to posery
OF a large debt and OnerOus taxation Inc
tenn would not only arrest the expensive transfer and
rulnous drain of specie TO Mexico, but would cause it
in duties and in return for exports, re-fow in
to our country to amount, perhaps, exceeding
the nine millions of dollars which it had reached in
1885, under the restrictive laws of Mexico thus
relieving our own people from grievous tax, and
imposing it where it should fall upon our enemies the
people of Mexico; a contribution levied upon them
to conquer peace well TO dcfray the expenses
of the war whereas, by admitting exports freely
without duty into the Mexican ports, which we may
occupy from time TO time, and affording those goods
including The necessares of life at less than one-half
the prices which they had heretofore paid for Them
the war might 10 time become benefit, instead of a |
burden TO the people of Mexico, and they would there
fore, be unwilling to terminate the contest. 1T is hop
ed, also, that Mexico, after peace will
her present prohibtory and protective system, so |
nearly resembling that of ancient China Japan, but
that llbera Ized, enlightened and regenerated by the
contact and intercourse with people, and those of
other civilized nations, she will continue the far more
moderate system Of duties resembling that prescribed
by these regulations.
In the mean tme il is not Just that Mexico, by her
obstinate persistence in this contest should compel
to overthrow own financial policy, and arrest this
great nation in her high and prosperous career To
rempose high duties, would be alike injurious our
selves and TO all neutral powers, and unless demand
ed by stern necessity, ungenerous to those enligh-
ened nations which have adopted, cotemporaneously
with US, more liberal commercial policy The sys-
tenn you now propose, OF imposing the burden, far
as practicable upon our enemies, the people of Mexi-
co. and not upon ourselves upon friendly nations
appears to be most just ITSELF and is further re-
commended the only policy which is likely to has
ten the conclusion OF just and honorable peace
A tonnage duty all vessels, whether our own or
of neutral powers, of one dollar per ton, which
greatly less than that imposed by Mexico, is recon-
ncndel in lieu Of all port duties and charges APP
pended to these regulations tables of the rates
which foreign money is fixed by law, as also sepa-
rate table of currences by usage, in which certificate
of value is required to be attached to the invoice
There is also annexed table of foreign weights and
reduced to the standard of the United States
together with blank FORMS to facilitate the transac
ton Of business.
Ii is recommended that the duties herein suggested
shall be collected exclusively in gold or silver coin.
These duties can only be collected as a military con-
tr5ution through the medium Of brave officers of
the army and navy, who will, no doubt cheerfuy and
faithfully collect and keep these moneys, and account
for hcm to the Treasury, but to the Secretary of
War of the Navy respectively. 1t is recommended
that these duties be performed by the commandant of
the post whether naval military aided by the pay
MASTER purser other officer the of each
being countersigned by the other check upon mis-
takes error, in the manner is the case
with the collector naval officer Of several prn
cipal ports, which has introduced much order and
accuracy into system. 1t is suggested that in
post might be necessary for the performance Of other
duties, he be permitted to substitute other off,
ce making known the fact to the Secretaries of War
or of the Navy, and subject TO their direction.
have the honor to be, with great respect, your
obedient servant, r. ]. WALKER,
Secretary Of the Treasury.
To the PRESIDENT.