Encouragement to Manufactures.

JANUARY, 1818.

Encouragement to Manufactures.

seen and appreciated. Yet, your petitioners cannot believe that the Legislature of the Union will remain an indifferent spectator of the wide-spread ruin of their fellow-citizens, and look on and see a great branch of industry, of the utmost importance in every community, prostrated under circumstances fatal to all future attempts at revival, without a further effort for relief. We could not magnify the subject, which we now present to Congress, beyond its just merits, when we state it to be one of the utmost importance to the future interests and welfare of the United States.

Before we proceed further, and at the very threshold, we disclaim all Legislative patronage or favor to any particular class or branch of industry at the expense of the other classes in the community. We ask of Congress the adoption of no measure, for the relief of manufacturers, which is not deemed consistent with sound national policy, and the best interests of the United States at large. But if a compliance with our prayers be the dictate of wisdom, and for the public good; if our application be justified by the examples of all wise and patriotic States; if no Government of modern Europe is so shortsighted, or regardless, of its duties, as not to constantly watch over and yield a steady and protecting support to the manufacturers of the State, we humbly hope this appeal in behalf of American manufactures will not be made in vain.

SENATE.

tion of domestic manufactures, by increasing the duties on imported articles coming in competition. Again, the tariff, in protecting manufactures, has been represented as taxing the farmer and planter for the benefit of the manufacturer; and, hence, attempts have been made to excite popular prejudice against the latter. We need not dwell on this topic, in showing how unjust to individuals and injurious to the country the charge is. As it respects the manufacturing districts of the United States, there is no distinct class of manufacturers, no separation of the manufacturer and farmer; it is the farmer himself who is the manufacturer; he invests his money in manufacturing stock. With the exception of a few factories, in or near the great towns, by far the greater part of manufacturing stock will be found in the hands of the farmer.

Between different districts or States, one manufacturing and the other not, a different question arises, which resolves itself into a mere equality or apportionment of taxes on the different parts of the Union; and here it will be seen, on a view of the whole system of impost and taxes, that no injustice is done, as the manufacturing districts have, and still do, contribute their full proportion to the public Treasury. Of the internal taxes, it will appear that they have paid an amount greatly beyond the numerical standard or rule of apportionment prescribed by the Constitution. The fact is not here mentioned for the purpose of complaint, but to show how fallacious it is to select the duty on a particular article, to settle the question of equality in the general apportionment of taxes. We might again confidently appeal to the tariff of imports, and ask if the duty is not greater on many other articles than on imported cloths, with the exception of certain coarse and almost useless cottons of the East Indies. This is believed to be the case with most of the specific duties, and eminently so in some instances. Were the Government to proceed much farther than is now contemplated, and bestow premiums for the encouragement of particular branches of industry, examples to justify the measure would be found in the wisest and best administered Governments. While the provision in the Constitution, prohibiting any duty on exports, favors the great staple productions of the South, it injures the domestic manufacturer, and is subversive of the great principle adopted by most nations to restrain the export of the raw material necessary in manufac tures. But neither of this provision do your petitioners complain.

That clothing for our citizens in peace, and our Army and Navy in war, are indispensable; and that the necessary supply should be independent of foreign nations, are positions that will be controverted by none. The last war afforded most lamentable proof; your soldiers, exposed to the inclemencies of a Northern climate, were at times found fighting in their ranks almost naked. It will not escape observation, that national collision and hostility are most likely to arise with that nation from whom our supplies are principally derived, and that the operations of war must be prosecuted on the ocean; hence, regular supplies being cut off, smuggling, violations of law, with all the concomitant evils experienced in the late war, are the certain consequences. The same disgraceful scenes are to be acted over again, to the deep reproach of the country. If the present manufactories are suffered to fall, the Government will look in vain for means to avert those calamities. Surrounded with many embarrassments, Government, during the war, saw fit to encourage manufacturing establishments; and those who embarked their capital, it is humbly conceived, were warranted in the expectation of such continuing We hope to find excuse in the importance of the support of Government as should protect their interest subject, for submitting to the consideration of Congress against that foreign rivalship and hostility which is the following principles of political economy, which now operating to their ruin. They had a right, as have been adopted by the most enlightened Governthey conceive, to expect this from what the Governments, and are deemed not altogether inapplicable to ment owed to itself, and to the independence and best the United States: interests of the country, as well as from the example of other nations in like circumstances.

In reviewing the discussions on this great question, your petitioners feel themselves justified in saying, that the question has not been at all times fairly met on its true merits. We have been constrained to witness alarm sounded, as though a new principle was to be introduced, and the country now, for the first time, taxed for the mere benefit of manufactories. What can be more untrue and unjust? We need not remind the honorable the Congress of the United States of what is known to all, that, from the first establishment of the Government, special regard has been had, in laying imposts and taxes, to the protec

That the public good requires of Government to restrain, by duties, the importation of articles which may be produced at home, and to manufacture as much as possible of the raw material of the country.

That the branches of industry particularly necessary or useful to the independence of the community ought to be encouraged by Government.

That the most disadvantageous commerce, is that which exchanges the raw material for manufactured goods.

That any nation who should open its ports to all foreign importations, without a reciprocal privilege, would soon be ruined by the balance of trade.

The policy of Great Britain, in support of which, no

SENATE.

Encouragement to Manufactures.

JANUARY, 1818.

wars, however bloody; no expense, however enormous, is believed, equal, if not exceeding the means of the are too great a sacrifice, ought never to be lost sight of country to pay for. That importation, let it be reby the United States. That nation assumes to man-membered, will be mostly from a country which ufacture for all nations, but will receive the manufactures of none. So tenacious, so jealous is she of the first dawnings of manufactures elsewhere, that she binds even the hands of her own colonists. The jealousy of Parliament was excited, nearly a century ago, by the petty hat manufactory of Massachusetts; and an act of Parliament actually passed, in the reign of George the Second, prohibiting the erection of furnaces, in British America, for slitting iron.

The great Chatham, the least hostile to British America of British Ministers, in his speech in the House of Lords, on the address to the Throne, in 1770, expressed his utmost alarm at the first efforts at manufactures in America.

shuts her ports against the productions of the United States, and keeps them so, unless the necessities of her manufactories, or hunger and sedition opens them; and then the fatal suspension often proves, as the experience of the ill-fated shippers of breadstuffs, the present year, will attest, a mere decoy to ruin. Lord Sheffield, in the year 1783, declared that, except in time of war, there never was a market for American wheat in Great Britain, exceeding three or four years in the whole.

There was a time when the balance of trade, believed in both countries to be generally against the United States, was, in some degree, satisfied or counter-balanced by a favorable trade with the West Indies; but a recent change of policy in the British councils has cut off that resource, and the parent State prefers exposing her colonies to starving, rather than open her ports to American commerce.

It is obvious how much that Government presumes on its advantages over us, on the predilection of our citizens for British manufactures, and the influence of the liberal purchases in the South of the material for her cotton manufactures.

Mr. Brougham, a distinguished member of the British Parliament, recently declared, in his place, that it was well worth while, at the close of the late war, to incur a loss on the exportation to the United States, in order to stifle in the cradle our rising manufactures. It is in vain for any man to shut his eyes against the active rivalship and persevering hostility of British manufactures; and when the capital, the deep-rooted establishments, the improved machinery, and the skill of the British manufacturer, protected, as he always is, by the Government, are considered, it ought not to ex-able imputation bestowed on manufactories of woollen cite surprise that the American manufacturer, without the support of his Government, is found unequal to the contest. But, yielding to manufactories reasonable support in their infancy, the Government will, at no distant period, find them able to defend themselves against foreign competition and hostility, and, at the same time, make ample returns to the nation for its protecting kindness.

It was the opinion of Mr. Hamilton, former Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, as well as of Sir James Stewart, that no new manufactory can be established, in the present state of the world, without encouragement from Government.

We hope to be excused in repelling the unwarrantand cotton as being injurious to the health and morals of the community. On this point we may content ourselves with referring to the healthful sites of our factories, the spacious work-rooms, (required by the necessary machinery,) and appeal to every man who has visited a factory, for testimony against the imputation. What is the experience on the subject? Scotland manufactures not only what is required for its inhabitants, but about five millions of dollars annually in the article of cotton alone, for exportation, and yet, in both its physical and moral character, that nation sustains a high elevation. We look in vain for evidence that the arms of Scotchmen have been withered by their manufactories, nor do we recollect the field of battle in Europe where the arms of any nation were found stronger in conflict.

It cost the English Parliament a struggle of forty years, commencing in the reign of Edward the Third, to get the better of the established manufactures of Flanders. It is believed that much less encouragement To swell the tide of prejudice against manufactures, from Government would place the manufactures of the United States on a secure foundation. While the it is said that unreasonable prices for goods were dewriters of that nation are seen to highly commend the manded, at the period of the late war. To reason principle of Adam Smith, that industry ought to be We might ask what merchant, mechanic, or farmer, with such objections would be a mere waste of time. left to pursue its own course, without the interference in any age or country, ever forbore to raise his prices of the Legislature, the Government has, at all times, according to the demand in the market? It enters and under every vicissitude, turned a deaf ear to the into first principles. Did the importer treble his first lesson, as though it were intended for other nations, cost on his cloths, even on smuggled goods, and does and carried legislative regulations into every depart-he make the charge of extortion against manufacturers? ment and avenue of industry. The British statute book groans under those regulations. The policy of order of society and course of business. The war unhinged everything, and changed the whole the Government has proved triumphant; immeasurable wealth flowed in upon the nation, giving it a power and control over other nations never before attained, and so long enjoyed by any people so inconsiderable in numbers.

But let no one imagine that a general system of manufactures is now proposed to be introduced into the United States. We would be understood as limiting our views to the manufactories already established; to save those, which have not already fallen, from the ruin which threatens them.

After all that the present manufactories can supply, there will remain to foreign importation an amount, it

It might have been expected, that the present fallen condition of manufacturers would have soothed prejuWith all their alleged dice and disarmed hostility. war profits, there are now none so poor. Is it not seen, that the destruction of the present manufactories must inevitably produce the same evils of extravagant prices in the event of a future war, as were experienced in the last?

As to the imputed effect of the tariff, in enhancing the prices of imported goods, it is believed that goods were never so low as under the operation of the present duties; and, so far as competition between domes

tic and foreign goods has contributed to this, credit is justly due to our manufacturers.

SENATE.

they conceive the United States are bound to discharge those claims which they prevented It is objected, that the entire industry of the country their citizens from obtaining abroad; and praymay be most profitably exerted in clearing and culti-ing compensation therefor; and the memorial vating our extended vacant lands. But what does it was read, and referred to the Committee of avail the farmer, when neither in the nation from Claims. which he purchases his goods, or elsewhere, can he find a market for his abundant crops? Besides, the diversion of labor from agriculture to manufactures, is scarcely perceptible. Five or six adults, with the aid of children, will manage a cotton manufactory, of two thousand spindles.

From the gloomy condition of the manufacturers, the mind, turning to another quarter, is cheered with the brightest prospects to others. In the more Southern States, it is believed, that the amount received, during the last year, from the export of two or three articles of agricultural produce only, exceeds forty millions of

dollars.

An appeal is made to the equity, to the patriotism, of the Southern statesman: his aid and co-operation is invoked for the relief of the suffering manufacturers of the Northern and Middle States.

In conclusion, your petitioners humbly pray, that provision may be made by law, for making the duties on imported woollens and cottons permanent; for prohibiting the importation of cotton goods from beyond the Cape of Good Hope, for consumption or use in the United States, (according to the example of several European Governments;) for restraining auction sales, of goods, and for the more general introduction and use of domestic goods in the Army and Navy of the

United States.

OCTOBER 1, 1817.

THURSDAY, January 8.

Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH presented the memorial of William Wilson, and others, merchants and underwriters of the city of Baltimore, on the same subject; and the memorial was read, and

referred to the same committee.

Mr. ROBERTS presented the memorial of the religious society of Friends in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, praying a revision and amendment of the laws of Congress for the purpose of more effectually suppressing the kidnapping and internal traffic in the persons of color, as stated in the memorial; which was read, and referred to the committee to whom was referred, on the 18th of December, the petition of the committee of the yearly meeting of the Society of Friends, at Baltimore.

Mr. ROBERTS, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act, in addition to 'An act for the relief of Joha Thompson," reported it without amendment.

On motion by Mr. SMITH, leave was given to withdraw the documents accompanying the bill, providing an additional compensation to the circuit judge of the 6th circuit of the United States, reported at the last session.

On motion by Mr. DAGGETT, the resolution directing the procurement of certain laws, was read the second time, by unanimous consent, and A message from the House of Representatives considered as in Committee of the Whole, and informed the Senate that the House have passed having been amended, the PRESIDENT reported a bill, entitled "An act allowing compensation to it to the House accordingly; and the amendthe members of the Senate, members of the ments having been concurred in, the amend House of Representatives of the United States, ments were ordered to be engrossed, and the resand to the delegates of the Territories, and re-olution read a third time as amended. pealing all other laws on that subject;" a bill, entitled "An act to incorporate the Columbian Insurance Company of Alexandria;" and a resolution directing the procurement of certain laws; in which they request the concurrence of the Senate.

The two bills and resolution last mentioned were read, and severally passed to the second reading.

The bill to provide for paying to the State of Indiana three per cent. of the net proceeds, arising from the sales of the United States lands, within the same, was read a third time, and passed.

The bill to allow the benefit of drawback on merchandise transported by land conveyance from Bristol to Boston, and from Boston to Bristol, in like manner as if the same were transported coast wise, was read a third time, and passed.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee of Claims, on the petition of William Esenbeck; and in concurrence there with the petitioner had leave to withdraw his petition.

On motion by Mr. SANDFORD, the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures, to whom was referred the memorial of William Lorman and others, merchants, traders, and manufacturers, of the city of Baltimore, on the 7th instaut, were discharged from the further consideration thereof, and it was referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. LACOCK presented the memorial of John The Senate resumed the consideration of the Inskeep and others, merchants and underwriters report of the Committee of Claims, on the petiof the city of Philadelphia, who have suffered tion of John Brown; and in concurrence therefrom the depredations of French cruisers; rep-with, resolved, that the prayer of the petitioner resenting that, by the convention of September ought not to be granted. 30, 1800, the claims of American citizens for in- The Senate resumed the consideration of the demnity for such captures, were relinquished in motion of the 7th instant, for requesting inforconsideration of certain great political advan-mation of the proceedings which may have been tages in favor of the United States, whereby had under the act, entitled "An act for the grad

ual increase of the Navy of the United States," and agreed thereto.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee of Claims, on the petitions of William Purcel and Martin Rose; and in concurrence therewith, resolved, that the petitioners have leave to withdraw their petitions. The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee on Military Affairs, on the petition of John Hebbert, and others; and in concurrence therewith, resolved, that the petitioners have leave to withdraw their petitions.

JANUARY, 1818.

Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH presented the memorial of William Patterson and others, of Baltimore, manufacturers of woollen and cotton goods; and others, interested in the support and protection of domestic industry, and the improvement of the useful arts in the United States; praying that the protecting duties of the tariff, as now in operation, be made permanent, and that further Legislative provisions be made for the collection of the impost, for reasons stated in the memorial; which was read, and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH also presented the memoWhole, the consideration of the bill, entitled rial of the Philanthropic Society of Easton, Mary"An act for the relief of Winslow and Henry land, praying some further Legislative provision, Lewis," together with the amendments reported for the purpose of more effectually suppressing thereto by the Committee of Claims; and, on the kidnapping and internal traffic in the persons motion by Mr. ASHMUN, the bill, together with of color, as stated in the memorial; which was the amendments, were recommitted to the Com-read, and referred to the committee to whom was mittee of Claims, with instructions to ascertain and allow the interest on the amount found to be due the said Winslow and Henry Lewis.

referred, on the 18th December, the petition of the committee of the yearly meeting of the Society of Friends, at Baltimore.

Mr. SANFORD presented the memorial of Samuel Campbell and others, manufacturers and venders of American manufactured paper, in the city of New York and its vicinity, praying the protection of Congress, for reasons stated in the memorial; which was read, and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. ROBERTS presented the petition of Joseph Forrest, of the City of Washington, praying compensation for the loss of a certain schooner, called the William Yeaton, chartered in the month of May, 1812, to the agent of the United States to take a cargo of provisions from New York to Laguira, which was seized and condemned, as stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee of Claims. The Senate then proceeded to the considera-mittee on Military Affairs, relative to the nomition of the following resolution offered yesterday by Mr. CAMPBELL:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of requiring, by law, the nomination of agents to Indian tribes to be submitted to the Senate for their consent and approbation, in like manner as the nominations of other officers now are.

Mr. TAIT suggested whether it would not be proper to embrace within the objects of inquiry the appointment also of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs. It was an office of much responsibility, he said; through which was disbursed large sums of the public money, but it was an office at present filled without the concurrence of the Senate.

Mr. CAMPBELL accepted the amendment sug-a gested to the resolution by Mr. TAIT.

Mr. MORROW remarked that he presumed the Superintendent of Indian Trade was meant, as there was no such officer as Superintendent of Indian affairs-the Governors of the Territories were the superintendents of Indian affairs-and suggested as a further inquiry the propriety of providing for the nomination to the Senate also of Indian factors; when,

On motion of Mr. TAIT, to give time for inquiry into the proper objects to be included in the resolution, it was postponed until to-morrow.

FRIDAY, January 9.

ELIGIUS FROMENTIN, from the State of Louisiana, arrived the 8th instant, and attended this day.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 7th instant for instructing the Com

nation of agents to Indian tribes; which, having been amended, was agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of requiring, by law, the nomination of Superintendent of Indian Trade, and of agents to Indian tribes, as also of agents for trading-house establishments, to be submitted to the Senate for their consent and approbation, in like manner as the nomination of other officers now are; and, generally, to inquire whether any, and what amendments are necessary to be made in the laws for regulating intercourse, and for establishing trading-houses with the Indian tribes.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed bill, entitled "An act making further provision for repairing the public buildings," in which they request the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill last mentioned was read, and passed to the second reading.

Mr. ROBERTS, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was recommitted the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Winslow and Henry Lewis," together with the amendments reported thereto; which was read and considered, as in Committee reported the same with a further amendment, of the Whole, and disagreed to; and the bill having been amended, the PRESIDENT reported it to the House accordingly; and the amendment having been concurred in, it was ordered to be engrossed and the bill read a third time, as amended.

The bill, allowing compensation to the mem