The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-03-26
Gle AliNolrburp Register.
Middlebury, March 26, 1850.
Sir H. L. Bulwer on American Proteo-
ton.

Sir H. L. Bulwer on American Protec-
ton.
some days ago, it will be remembered
the British Minister at Washington took
occasion to express, in mole TO Mr.. Clay
ton, the views OF his Government respect
ing the existing tariff, and to state that any
increase of duties would have "a very dis.
agreeable effect on public opinion in Eng.
land" He has been instructed, he says,
ITO express TO the United States Govern
ment the hope Of her MaJcsiy's Govern.
mcnt. that no add ion will be made TO the
duties imposed by the resent tariff of the
Cnted States, which already weigh heov-
lily on British productions"
Setting aside the manifest Improperly Of
any such Interference, on the part Of for
eign governments, with the legislation Of
this nation, we wish to call attention to two
or 'hree points suggested by this diplomat
ic note Of Mr.. Dulwer.
In the first place, it is evident that Moth
lug would give the British Government 50
much pleasure (allcr they have gained II
decided advantage by amassng so large n
share Of the capital of the world, ny means
Of high protective dulcs,) as the universal
prevalence Of free trdde Failing OF ,hai
ihey earnestly hope " for il tariff which
will as nearly as possible accomplish the
same results. They desire this, not from
motives Of bencvoleuce-Eo from thor
ough devotion to the interests Of their la
boring classes-but simply on grounds of
polilica! economy, as advancing the inter
esis of their commerce and trade, in
creasng the wea tn OF their capitalists, and
promoting their naiunal prosperity. They
understand ton well The effect Of their own
stringent iarill policy in former years, moi
to be fully aware Of the influence of the
protective policy Of this country, in en-
rcling ourselves, charging and improving
our industrial pursuits. and restricting for
eign labor and capital to narrower limits.
1t is also worthy of notice, that The Brit
ish Government were led to infer, from a
change Of lie Administration, and from
the ascendcncy Of the Whigs, that impor-
rant notifications in the present tariff
would be tcmped-making it more pro-
tcctive in lis charnctcr, and tending. as q
consequence, 10 diminish, in a still! greater
degree, foreign expectations. Thoy knew
that fundamental doctrine Of the Whir
creed was protection TO the great interests
OF this naiion-'hat the party now in pow
er look to a tariff, not for revenue smrly,
bui 10 foster our commerce, agriculture.
and manufactures, by diminishing foreign
competition. Hence This femonstrance Of
The British Government, in advance ofany
action by Congress on tina, subject.
The iron interest is particularly alluded
10 by the British Minister, and he begs that
no higher duties may be GSed on that arl
Gle. Now we are prepared 10 say that the
iron mines OF this country are amply suflic-
len, to supply all the iron demand 1t is
the Wing policy to foster this as well as
other branches Of American industry, and
TO render our people independent of lor-
egn supplies. The interests of labor, the
interests of agriculture, the business of the
nation, demand it. Our farmers want a
home market Thousands of lnborers
want employment, whose wages must be
proportional to Il c prosperity OF our In
dustrial pursuits. England understands
llIis-and she prefers that we should leave
this business 10 her-ii not entirely, as
large portion Of it as possible.
Mr.. Bulwer's letter cannot fail of rem
derng some service to the cause of Amer
lean protection. Ii canno, but open the
eyes Of many who seem 10 have qucs-
toned, in the first place, whether any pro-
lec!ion al all is needed, and particularly Of
those who have been inclined 10 think the
present tariff good enough as it is. That
tariff which most curlaiIs The exports Of
Great Britain, in those branches Of INDUS
Try wherein we are rivals, will Of course
"wcigh' most " heavily on British produc-
tions"-ahG in the same proportion benefit
our own country.