The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-07

bundled and Afteen dollars and sghty-three cents
l9455, SIS $50 on account Of the principal and
interest Of the public debt. including the iass m
stalment Of the indemnity to Mexico, pnasr the
treaty Of Guadalupe Hdalgo, leaving balance o!
$l4632, l36 81 in the Treasury ON the nrst DAY OF
July last. Since this latter period, further pur-
chases Of the principal of the pabc debt have been
made to the extent of two millions four hundred and
fifty six thousand five hundred and forty seven dol
lars and forty-nine cents, q 49, 547 49, and the
surplus in the Treasury will continue to be applied
TO that object whenever the stock can be procured
within the limits as to price, authorized by law.
The value of foreign merchandise imported during
the last fiscal year was two hundred and seven mil
lions two hundred and forty thousand one hundred
and one dollars ($207, 240 40D and the value Of do
mestic productions exported was one hundred and
forty.rine millions eight hundred and sixty-one
thousand nine hundred and eleven dollars ($l49,-
Sol 3D. besides seventeen millions two hundred
and four thousand and twenty six dollars ($l7 204
026) of foreign merchandise exported; making the
aggregate Of the entire exports one hundred and
sixty seven millions sixty five thousand nine hun
dred and thirty seven dollars, (Sl67, 06 excu-
sve Of the above there was exported forty. two mill
lions five hundred and seven thousand two hundred
and eightyfye dollars (42 507 1851 In specie; and
imported from foreign ports five millions two hum
dred and sixtytwo thousand six hundred and forty.
three dollars ($5, 262643)
In my first annual message to Congress, called
your attention to what seemed to me some defects
hcatiens as in my judgement were best adapted to
REMEDY its evils and promote the prosperity Of the
country. Nothing has since occurred to change my
views on this important question.
Without repeating the arguments contained in
my former message, in favor Of discriminating,
protective duties, deem it my duty to call your
attention to one or two other considerations afe,t
ing this subject The first is the effect of large
importations Of foreign goods upon our currency.
Most Of the gold Of California, as fas. as it ID
coined, finds its way directly to Europe, in pay
ment for goods purchased. In the second place,
as our manufacturing establishments are broken
down by competition with foreigners, the capital
invested in them is lost, thousands Of honest and
industrious citizens thro wn out of employment,
market for tho sale of his surplus produce. In
the third place, the destruction OF our manufactures
leaves the foreigner without competition in our
market, and he consequently raises the price Of tho
article sent here for SALE is now seen in the in
creased cost of iron imported from England The
prosperity and wealth Of every nation must depend
upon its productive industry. The farmer is stimu-
lated to exertion by finding ready market for his
surplus produce, and benefited by being able to
exchange them, without loss of time or expense Of
transportation, for the manufactures which hn
comfort or convenience requires This is always
done to the best advantage where portion of the
community in which he lives is engaged in Other pur-
suits But most N anufactures require an amount of
capital and practical skill which cannot be com-
ruinous competition from abroad Hence tho ne
cessity of laying those duties upon imported goods
which the constitution authorizes for revenue, in
such manner as to protect and encourage the labor
be fixed at rate so high as to exclude the foreign
article, but should be so graduated to enable the
domestic mspufacturer fairly to compete with the
foreigner in our own markets. and by this COMPETE
ton to reduce the price of the manufactured article
to the consumer to the lowest rate at which it
be produced. This policy would place the mechanic
by the side OF the farmer, create mutual inter-
change Of their respective commodities, and thus
stimulate the industry of the whole country, and
render US Independent of foreign nations for the
supplies required by the habits necessities of the
people.
Another question, wholly independent of protec-
ton, presents ITSELF and that is, whether the duties
levied should be upon the value of the article at the
place of shipment, or, where it is practicable spe-
cifc duty, graduated according to quantity, as
ceItained by weight or measure Ali our duties are
at present ad c0iortn. A certain per centage is
levied the price of the goods at the port of ship
ment in foreign country Most commercial M.
preventing fraud and perjury, to make the duties
specific whenever the article is of su,h uniform
value in weight or measure as to justify such duty
Legislation should never encourage dishonesty or
crime. 1t is impossible that the revenue officers at
the port where the goods entered and the duties
paid, should know with certainty what they cost
they should levy the duty according to such cost
They are, therefore, compelled to resort to very
satisfactory evidence to ascertain what that cost
was They take the invoice of the importer, attest
ed by his oath, as the best evidence of which the
nature of tie case admits. But every must see
that the invoice may be fabricated, and the oath
by whi:h it is supported false, by reason of which
the dishonest importer pays part only Of the du.
ties which paid by the honest one, and thus in
directly receives from the treasury Of tae United
States . reward for his fraud and perjury. The re.
ports of the Secretary of the Treasury heretofore
made on this subject show conclusiyely that these
frauds have been practised to a great extent. The
tendency is to destroy that high moral character
fer which our merchants have long been distin
TO break down the honest importer by dishonest
competition; and finally, to transfer the business of
importation to foreign and irresponsible agents to
the great detriment Of our own citizens. ! there
fore, again most earnestly recommend the adoption
OF specific duties, wherever it is practicable, or
home valuation, to prevent these frauds
would also again call your t.ention to the fact
that the present tariff, in some cases. imposes q
higher duty upon the raw material imported than
upon the article manufactured from it, the conse-
quence of which is that the duty operates to the en-
couragement of the foreigner and the discourage
ment of our own citizens.
For full ard detailed information in regard to the
general condition Of oar Indian affairs, respectfully
refer you to the reps of the Secretary of the Inte
rior and the accompanying documents
The Senate not having thought proper to ratify
the treaties which had been negotiated with the
tribes Of Indians in California and Oregon our rela
tioEs With them have been left in very unsatisfac
tory condition.
In other parts Of our territory particular districts
Of country have been set apart for the exclusive
occupation Of the Indians, and their right to the
lands within those limits has been acknowledged
and respected. But in California and Oregon there
has been no recognition by the government Of the
exclusive right Of the Indians to any part of the
country. They are, therefore, mere tenants at suf
ersrcss, and liable to be driven from place to place.
at the pleasure of the whites.
The treaties which have been rejected proposed to
remedy this evil by alottirg to the different tribes
districts Of country suitable to their habits Of fe
and sufficient for their support. This provision
more than any other /. is believed led to their
jection ard as no substitute for has been adopted
by Congress, it has not been deemed advisable to
attemp, TO enter into new treaties Of permanent
character, although no effort has been spared by |
temporary arrangements to preserve friendly rela-
tions with them.
II it be the desire Of Congress to remove them
from the country altogether, or to assign to them
particular districts remote from the settlements
Of the whites, it will be proper to set apart by law
the territory which they to ocsupy, and to pro-
vide the means necessary for removing them to it,
Justice alike to our own citizens and to the Indians