The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-03


: which has recently been made public, will, il is
|, believed, have . beneficial effect upon the rela-
, tons between the two countries as
J The relations between those parts of the
Island of st Domingo which were formerly
colonies of Spain and France, respectively, are
still in an unsettled condition. The proximity
OF that island to the United States, and the deli
cate questions involved in the existing contro.
ycrsy there, render it desirable that it should be
! permanently and speedily adjusted. The inter
ests OF humanity and of general commerce also
demand this; and, as limitations of the same
sentiment have been received from other gov
ernments, it is hoped that some plan may soon
be devised to effect the object in manner likely
to give general satisfaction. The Government
of the United States will not fail, by the exer-
else of all proper friendly offices, to do all in its
power to pat an end to the destructive war
which has ragged between the different parts OF
the island, and to secure to them both the bene-
hts OF peace and commerce. " = 49,
refer you to the report of the Secretary OF
the Treasury for a detailed statement Of the f.
nances
The total receipts into the Treasury, for the
year ending 3Oth of June last, were forty-seven
million four hundred and twenty one thousand
seven hundred and forty eight dollars and ninety
cents, ($47, 42l,748 9O)
The total expenditures during the same pc
Rod, were forty three million two thousand one
hundred and sixty-eight dollars and ninety cents
($43,002,l68 900
The public debt has been reduced, since the
last annual report from the Treasury Depart
ment, four hundred and ninety-fve thousand
two hundredand seventy-six dollars and seventy
nine cents, ($495,276 79)
BY the 10th section of the act of 2Sth Janu-
airy, lS47, the proceeds of the sales of the public
G.. H.. Il
of the public debt. The great amount of those
lands subsequently granted by Congress for
military bounes, will, it is believed very nearly
supply the public demand for several years to
come, and but little reliance can, therefore, be
placed OH that hitherto fruitful source of re-
venue.
Aside from the permanent annual expendi-
lures, which have necessarily largely increased,
Il portion of the public debt, amounting to eight
million seventy-fve thousand nine hundred and
eighty-six dollars and fifty-ni cents ($8075,-
9S6 59) must be provided for within the next
two fiscal years. 1t is most desirable that these
accruing demands should be met without resort
ing to new loans.
All experience has demonstrated the wisdom
and policy of raising large portion Of revenue,
for the support Of Government from duties on
i goods imported. The power to lay these duties
is unquestionable, and its chief object, of course
is to replenish the treasury. But if, in doing
this, an incidental advantage may be gained by
encouraging the industry of our citizens, 1t is
our duty to avail ourselves of that advantage.
A duty laid upon an article which which can
not be produced in this country-such as tea or
cohee-adds to the cost of the article, and is
chiefly or wholly paid by the consumer. But a
duty laid upon an article which may be produced
here, stimulates the skill and industry of our
.own country to produce the same article, which
is brought into the market in competition with
the foreign article, and the importer is thus COM
PEELED to reduce his price to that, at which the
Il part of the duty upon the producer of the
foreign article. Thecontinuance of this process
creates tho skill, and invites the capital, which
finally enable us to produce the article much
cheaper than it could have been procured from
abroad, thereby benefting both the producer
and the consumer at home. The consequence
of this is, that the artisan, and the agricuturst,
are brought together, each affords ready
market for the produce of the other, the whole
country becomes prosperous; and the ability to
produce every necessary Of life renders us indie
pendent in war as we'll as in peace.
/ A high tariff can never be permanent, 1t will
cause dissatisfaction and will be changed. 1t
excludes competition, and thereby invites the
i
! excess, that when changed it brings distress
bankruptcy, and ruin, upon all who have beer
mslcd by its faithess protection What the
manufacturer wants, is uniformity and perma-
, nency, that he may feel n confidence that he is
not to be ruined by sudden changes. But tc
, make a tariff uniform and permanent, it is moi
; only necessary that the law should not be al
tered, but that the duty should not fuctuate
To effect this, all duties should be specific
{ wherever the nature of the article is such rs tt
0 admit of it. Ad volorem duties fluctuate will
= the price, and offer strong temptations to frauc
G and perjury. Specific duties, on the contrary
s are equal and uniform in all ports, and at al
d times, and offer strong inducement to the i'm
porter to bring the best article, as he pays nc
J. more duty upon that, than upon one of inferior
s quality. | therefore strongly recommend q
IS modification of the present tariff, which has
c Frustrated some of our most important and ne
cessary manufactures, and that specific duties be
e imposed sufficient to raise the requisite revenue
IT making such discrimination in favor Of the in
lie dustrial pursuits Of our own country as to eli
courage home production, without excluding
n foreign competition. 1t is also important tina
D. an unfortunate provision in the present, tariff
c which imposes much higher duty upon thu
raw material that enters into our manufactures
" upon the manufactured article, should be rene
d died
It The papers accompanying the report of the
II Secretary Of the Treasury will disclose fraud.
c attempted upon the revenue, in variety ant
$, amount so great, as TO Justify the conclusion
e that it is impossible, under any system Of
It ad valorem duties levied upon the foreign
# cost or value of the article, to secure ar
s., honest observance and al etltctual ndmnstra.
l. ton Of the laws. The fraudulent devices to
+. cvade the law, which have been detected by the
vigilance of the appraisers, leave no room to
! doubt that similar mpositions not discovered
to large amount, have been successfully prac.
tised since the enactment of the law now in
force This state of things has already had a
f prejudicial influence upon those engaged in for
, eign commerce Ii has n tendency to drive the
, honest trader from the business of importing,
and to throw that important branch Of employ
ment into the hands of unscrupulous and dis
, honest men, who are regardless of law and the
obligations of an oath. BY these means the
plain intentions of Congress- as expressed in
, the law, are daily defeated: Every motive of