The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-05
No. 3O3.


market already overstocked The immense inn
portations of foreign manufactures and produc-
ions, beyond all precedent, now flooding the
try under the present tariff is just bject of anx
iety and alarm. The debt incurred this year, il is
estimated, must reach the enormous sum of S D.
600 200, if it do not exceed it. Not all the gold OF
California will enable us TO meet the drafts that
must soon be made upon u.s. The utter prostra :
ton Of all the industrial interests of the country
reyulsions, suspensions, universal bankruptcy-all
are perceptbe in the distance. They will soon be
upon us like tempest, as they were brought upon
us by the Compromise tariff Of 1888. Will we take
the proper measures to prevent these calamities to
the country!
Much, sir, has been said in this House about
northern aggressions, and about the great amount
of loss sustained by the South in consequence OF
the escape of their slaves t. the free States and
their inability to recover them. Now, venture to
AFFIRM without wishing to underrate or understate
the amount of this loss, that Pennsylvania alone
has lost more within the last eighteen months, un-
der the runous operation of the tariff of 1916, than
would pay for all the runaway slaves, from all the
slave States for the last half century.
presume all remember the extraordinary favor
with which this Tariff act of 1916, and the very
learned report accompanying it, were received in
England Why, sir, the statesmen Of her Britain
mic Ma]esty's government were smitten with
tonishment at the wonderful wisdom Of this prod
ICY of learning in financial science, which Brother
Jonathan had produced; and they paid him the
unprecedented compliment of publication of his
learned report by order OF Parliament. Ipresome
it will also be remembered, part of the history
of this BILL that in discussion which took place
IN the House OF Commons, some time after it had
gone into operation, upon the then condition and
future destiny of the Canadas-upon their probable
independence, and future annexation TO the United
States-that Sir VIM. Molesworth a distinguished
member of the lower House, argued that they were
then a tax, burden, upon the revenues of the
government; and that their annexation to the
United States would not only relieve the treasury
of great burden, but would add greatly to the
commercial prosperity Of the kingdom. He ex-
claimed, that sour commerce with our American
colonies (meanipg the United States, and he said
he would insist calling them their colonies) is
twice profitable all our other colonies upon
the face of the globe" And the interesting feature
of this profitable commerce, as he said was that it
cost the mother country not one cent, not one far
thing, for standing armes for Notifications, har
bors, light houses, &c. All these expenses were
paid by the dutiful colonies themselves.
And now, sir, when under the operations of this
tariff our coal mines have been rendered unproduc-
tive, some sold by the sheriff. others abandoned to
diapidation and ruin; when large portion of our
numerous iron establishments, our furnaces our
orges, and rolling mills have become silent, their
fires put out; when our canals and railroads have
also been rendered TO some extent, Improbable,
and some of them destined to fall into dilapidation
and decay, if this policy shall be continued; when
the immense importations threaten to overwhelm
all the great industrial interests of the country with
ruin; when thousands and tens Of thousands of our
industrious and intelligent citizens have been turn
ed adrift with their families to starve, beg, or
work for ten cents per day; say, when under
these circumstances of ruin and distress, our pa
triotic and distinguished Chief Magistrate recon-
mends TO Congress a modification of the present
tariff to save and to protect all the great inte
rests of the country, we met, sir with protest
from her Britannia majesty's government Here
ii is:
BRiTIsH LEGATION, Jan 5, 1850.
Sir: II having been represented TO her majesty's
government, that there is idea on the part of
H. oTt
duties ON British iron imported into the United
States, j have been instructed by her majesty =
government TO express 10 the United States Gov
ernment the hope of her majesty Government, that
no addition will be made 10 the duties imposed by
the present tariff of the United States, which al
ready weigh heavily on British productions; and
cannot but observe, for my own part, that aug
mentatien OF the duties on British produce man
made at the moment when the British
government has, by series of measures, been ia
the commerce between the two countries,
would produce very disagreeable effect on public
opinion in England
| avail myself Of the opportunity to renew 10 you
the assurance of my most distinguished consider
alton. HENRY l.. BULWER.
Hon. JOHN M. CLAYTON, &c, &C., sc.
And 30, sir this tariff, which met with the great
est commentator from the statesmen of her Bri-
tannic majesty's government, and the report ac-
companying which was published by order of the
British parliament this tariff, which regarded
as having reduced US again TO state Of colonial
vassalage, and which had rendered the commerce
OF England with her American colonies twice as
valuable as all her other commerce with all her
other colonies the face of the globe this British
tariff, at the christening OF which her Britannia
majesty's government stood godfather, has become
exceedingly oppressive" weighs heavily upon
British productions 20 And yet the hope is ex-
pressed, very modestly, to be sure, that we will
souch il not And, TO repress the audacity Of any
turbulent spirit from any such attempt, are
kindly informed IN advance that any such attempt
" would produce a very disagreeable effect upon
public opinion in England" And, SIR we arc,
therefore, expected carefully and dutifully to alb
stain from interfering in the slightest degree with
a measure thus dear To the mother country, not.
1t docs bring beggary and ruin upon
our own people
And five dare to lay our vulgar hands upon this
wonderful specimen Of financial wisdom, presume
we may expect 10 receive another protest, a pro-
test from Sir Robert Walker, to be added 10 the
protests Of Sir Robert Peel, Sir Henry Lytton Bull
wer, and Lord John Russell. and of all the other
sirs and lords Of her Britannia maiesty's govern
ment We may be favored, perhaps, with a still
further protest from another degenerate son of
Pennsylvania, who, in the hour OF her trial had il
in his power to save her but who lifted up his heel
against her need not name him. lie was bid
ding Tor the Presidency; he had his eye upon the
Baltimore convention Of lS4S. But, sir, it rejoeed
my heart to sec him treated as traitors have ever
been treated; although the treason was loved the
traitor was despised and rejected.
desire, sir to say nothing personally offensive
OF Sir Henry Lytton Bulwcr lie is the minister
the representative Of the British government and
has but discharged his duty by obeying the in
sructions of his government. | have no doubt he
is the able, talented and accomplished diplomat
and gentleman which nc has been represented 20
be- But, sir, must be permitted to denouncc this
OF his government IA did our able
Senator in the other wing of the Capitol, as uuprc
ccdented, impcrtnent arrogant, and highly often
sive, II is no doubt true, that Great Britain has
for the last two three centuries played most
conspicuous part upon the great theatre of the
world. She has been long distinguished for her
wisdom, her prowess, her great wealth and power
and for many Of those high attributes that const
tutc national glory. But ! AFFIRM and the whole
civilized, and the whole barbarous world viii bear
testimony to the truth Of what say, that she has
been still more distinguished for her pride for her
arrogance, for her Unsuitable cupidity, and in
ordinate ambition. She grant commercial faciI
ties when, without the most ample equivalents9
She grant concessionsl when' where? In what
quarter OF the worldf In what period of her his
toryl She grant concessions Yes, sir, such con
cessions Gas vulturcs give 70 lambs, covering and
devouring them" She grant concessions! o, YES,
sir, remember; rather have heard of some CON
cessions which she did grant. She conceded be
heve, Independence to our revolutionary sires: and
at later period she conceded 10 their sons the
right to navigate the high seas, without daring to
exercise her pretended right Of impressment
these, slr, these, are the only concessions which
she grants concessions wrenched from her by tho
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