The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-12-19

be necessary Tor tins Government TO extend tn
period limited for the duration of the commission
The sum stipulated by the 18th article Of the con
vention to be pa % this Government, has bee
received.
The collection in the f,or,s of the United State
of discriminating duties Vi pen the vessels of Chi
and their cargoes, has been suspended pursuau
TO the act of Congress Of Gath May, ls4s. 1t
TO be hoped this measure will impart fresh i'm
petus TO commerce between the two governments
which of late. and especially since our acquisi
ton of California, to the mutual advantage of tn
parties, have been augmented
Peruvian Guano has boccmo so desirable to ag
ricuural interests Of the United States that il i
the duty Of the Government 10 employ all til,
means properly in lis power, for the purpose o
causing that article to be imported into the coun
try at reasonable price.
| Nothing will be omitted on my part, towards
accomplishing this desirable end. l am persuad
ed that In removing any restraints this, the Pc
ruvian Government will promote its own best in
terest, while it affords proof Of friendly dispo-
siton towards this country, which will be duly
appreciated.
The treaty between the United States and his
Majesty, the King Of the Hawaiian Islands, which
has recently been made public, will, it is beev-
ed be Of beneficial effect TO the people Of the two
countries.
of st. Domingo, which were formerly colonies OF
Spain and France respectively, are still in an un-
settled condition. The proximity of that island TO
the United States, aud delicate questions involved
in the existing controversy there, render it desra-
bic that it should be speedily and permanently adj
justed. The interests Of humanity and general
commerce also demand this, and limitations Of
the same sentiments have been received from the
governments.
1t is hoped that some plan may soon be devised
to effect this object in likely to give sat
lsiaction. The government of the United States
will not fail by the exercise of all friendly Offices,
to do all In its power to put end to the desruc-
tive war which has ragged between the different
parts Of the Island, and to secure to them both,
the benefits Of peace and commerce.
refer you to the report of the Secretary Of the
Treasury, for detailed statement of the finances.
The total receipts into the Treasury for the year
ending the 30th of June last, were Sal, 42i ,74s
80. Total expenditures during this period were
$43, 02l $50 90. The public debt has been re-
duced since the last Annual Report from the
Treasury Department, $465, 276 80.
BY the 18th section of the act Of the goth Of
January, lS47, the proceeds Of the sales of pub
lie lands were pledged for the interest and princi-
pal of the public debt. The great amount subse-
quenty granted by Congress for military bounties,
demand for several years TO come, and but little
reliance can therefore, be placed upon that hith-
erto fruitful source Of revenue.
Besides the permanent annual expenses, which
have necessarily largely increased, portion Of
the public debt, amounting to S8,075 1856 SO, mus,
be provided for within the neat two fiscal wears
Ii IS most desirable that the accruing demands
should be met without resorting to new loans. All
experience has demonstrated the wisdom and
policy of raising large portion of the means for
the suppost Of Government from duties on goods
imported.
The power to levy these duties is un-
questionable and its chief object is to re-
Penish the treasury; but if, in the mean
time, incidental advantage may be gained
by encouraging the industry Of our own
that advantage. A duty laid upon an arti-
Gle which cannot he produced in the coun-
try, such as tea or coffee, adds to the cost
Of the article, and is chiefly or wholly paid
by the consumer, but duty laid upon an
article which may be produced here, slim
ulates the skill and industry Of the country
to produce the same article, which is
brought into market with the foreign arti-
Gle. The importer is thus compelled to re
reduce the price at which the domestic ar
ticle can be sold, thereby throwing part of
the duty on the producer.
The consequence of this is, that artizans
and agriculturists are brought together;
each affords ready market for the produc-
tons of the other. The whole country be-
comes prosperous, and the ability to pro-
duce every necessary of life, renders us
indie pendent in war as well 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 investment of capital i'm
to such an extent, that when
changed, it brings distress, bankruptcy and
ruin upon all who have been misled by its
faithless protection.
What the manufacturer wants is uniform
ty and erli.anency, that he may feel con-
idence that he is not to be ruined by sud-
len changes; but ~ make a tariff perma-
lent and uniform, it is not only necessary
hat the law should be altered, but that the
luty shall not fluctuate. 10 effect this, all
iuties should be specified, whenever the
nature Of the article is such as to admit OF
t. Ad valorem duties ductuate with the
price, and offer strong temptations to fraud
md perjury. Specific duties, on the con-
rary, are equal and uniform, in all parts |
Ind in all times, and offer strong induce
nent to the importer to buy the best article,
Is he pays no more duty upon that than on
me of an inferior quality.
|, therefore, strongly recommend mod
fication of the present tariff, which has
Frustrated some Of our most important and |
necessary manufactures, and that specific /
luties be imposed sufficient to raise the re-
luisite revenues, making such discrimina-
ion Of the industrial products of our coun-
ry as to encourage home productions with
'ut excluding foreign competition. 1t is al
70 important that an unfortunate provision |
n the present tariff, which imposes a much |
higher duty on the raw material that enters
nto our ma nufactories than upon the. man
fractured article, should he modified. The
papers accompanying the report Of the Sec
etary Of the Treasury, will disclose frauds
attempted upon the revenue in such variety
md amount as to justify the conclusion that
{ is impossible, under a system Of ad rnlo-
EN- duties, levied upon foreign cost or inn
,ort value Of the article, to secure an hon.
st observance and an effectual administra-
len Of the laws.
The fraudulent devices to evade the law,
which have been detected by the vigilance
# the appraisers, leave US no room to doubt
hat similar impositions, yet to be discover
ID, to a large amount, have successfully
zen practised since the enactment of the