The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-17


country 10 consume foreign goods, will this time
safely admit "A larger importation than in former
years. yet the experience of the last year has shown
that our imports have been greatly beyond our ex-
ports which last must be regarded the true mea-
sure OF our ability TO consume, for any given num-
Der OF years.
II upon the large importations of the past year
me increase should continue at the same ratio
that oil the past quarter which already stated 10
io,OOo,o The aggregate amount for the current
hscal year ending 30tb June. 1851, will not fall
much short OF $25O,OOo0 900 survey of the mar cts
OF the world, II Is believed, furnishes no reason 10
expect that our expectations will exceed those of
the last year. which We have seen a fraction
lees than l52 millions. This would leave on the
trade OF the current fiscal year, with foreign ooun-
tries, an alarming balance, which could not fail TO
ba felt in results fatal to ali branches Of business at
home, and highly injurious to the revenue Of cue
coeding years
These considerations, forced by the existing state
of things upon the earnest attention of this Depart
ment, are submitted 20 the wisdom of Congress- in
the Deiof THAT they present reasons OF the most i'm
perative Character Tor modification of the present
revenue laws. The large prospective mportations
should be checked by higher rate Of duties, 30 an
TO BRING their aggregate amount within the limit of
our capabllity to pay. III the exports Of the last
year delne that limit then imports for the en-
suing year should not greatly exceed y 1872 900 900.
II Is believed, however, that may calculate
safely upon export of gold for several years to
come, OF at least from ten to fifteen millions annu-
ally. Exclusive OF what goes abroad, direct from
California, without any detrimental effect upon
the currency or business OF our people. The sup
ply OF this metal from mines may ut pre-
sent be estimated at & 80 900 900 annually inciud
ing that sent directly from C,liGnrni. 40 othcr
countries, and hissupply il is believed, will not be
ilkeiy TO diminish In amount for the next two
three years
II, then, we can afford to spare the above amount
of the precious metals in navment Of FOREIGN
merchandise it may be fairly ulned that our ex-
ports including ali articles will be eoual IA about
one hundred and sixty. five millions sunnosinp al.
WAYS the trade of the world 10 remain nm tIccted
by any disturbing causes. In the opinion az tbis
Department il Would be unsafe Ia assume an
amount of Imports as a basis upon which 10 lew
duties for revenue beyond this latter sum
II the present rates of duties be applied TO that
amount, we should receive from customs, only
81 $50 600 and the amount of revenue rcouired for
the present and succeeding wears would fall short
Of the estimates for the current year. by ton
seven millions.
1t cannot be doubted that rate of duty higher
many articles than that paid by the present law
might be established without affecting in uriousIv
the revenue The extraordinary influx Of foreign
merchandise for the last year and the fret Quarter
of the present one must be REGARDED n. conclusive
proof that In increase of duties so as TO advance the
amount of revenue seven millions on the same
amount OF imports, is entirely practicable
That such increase will be found necessary TO the
demands of the treasury is believed 10 be bcvond
doubt, unless Congress shall discontinue MANY Of
the objects of expenditure which ORIGINATED in our
recent territorial acquisitions and this in the onio
ion of the Department woud he eou,iiv irnnnGt;c
and unjust
From, the foregoinc considerations tho nen,,t
ment would submit the foIowinr noodi6ca1iops Of
our present revenue lava:
l. chanpe in the nresent nd y,lorar, svs,.,,
which should impose sneoi6c duties mon III art;,
cles to which such dnties NAV he satriy anrI;.J
with home valuations upon ali such aa arc nedessa
rily aubec to ad vaiorcm rates.
H. II the principle of specific duties shall not be
lorcsn should then he ncd NJ 1
to ad valorem duties.
Ill If neither of the E,rego;ne, cha,acs sb,u he
thought proper, then il Is deemed highly neces.
,ary thai the nrcsent rate. or d,ies sto,,iJ b IN
creased ON great variety of articles which II will
be found could bear such increase with The most
salulary effects upon both trade and revenue.
Either of the Two first ,nodif;ro ion. ner.s,od
above would undoubtedv correct many of ne inc.
Qualities of the present syste nlacc All irnnorters
whether purchasers or manufacturers. on eonai
grounds IN respect 20 valuations for duty. Guard
The revenue agaipst The aayrant frauds yyhieh are
20 easily perpetratcd under existing laws. and in
sure stability and perInanent incrcas of the rye
nue.. Theyare therefore earnestlv Commended IN
the favorable confederation of ConS,ress
In any systcn II is believed tbni eYnerience has
settled The rue oolicv 10 be- nursucd r.; syeraI mar
ticuars which enter into our system OF revenue
lava Amon,, these are thai ali raw ,n.t,rial
should. be admitted at n moderate rate Of DUTY
when assessed at all, that all non-enumerated ar
ticles should be assessed at higher rates of duty
than the average of ufactured articles and that
all articles composed of the same material should
pay ia general the same rates of DUTY
In order TO insure uniformity in The business of
the custom. houses and equality in the valuations
under any system, | earnestly recommend the
creation Of a corps of appraisers at large whose
duty shall be 10 visit the principal ports of entry
in the United States from time to time with power
TO correct improper valuations aud prescribe rules
Tor the local appraisers.
DLu-
"D'tc " "HtouSes'
BY the Joint resolution Of the l4th February last
the Secretary Of the Treasury was authorized 20
dispose OF the bonded warehouses now leased bv
Government on or before the firstof January next,
on the best practicable terms for the GoyernInent,
The leases here referred 70 are Of warelsusos in
Kew York and Boston, tho annual rents of which
amount 10 sIO5,4lb in New York. s4sl99 81 in
Boston
Although the power conferred IA not limited. il
has been deemed beat TO report TO Congrcss that
thcse warehouses have been offered at the rents
which the United States are bound 10 paw without
being able 10 dsposc of them at those raies
SO far ms offers have been made they do not
amount 20 one half of the rent stipulated in the
leascs Tbis would leave al lnre,e a lo.s that IA il
submitted 70 Conrres. 70 direct what course shall
be pursued and, in the event Of a pereInptory dis
position OF these warehouses being ordered that an
augmentation be made for any loss that NAV re-
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