port to the select committee on the bank subject. [SENATE. involve a question which had already been decided. It poses, nor in the Southwestern, or quite in the Western seemed to him that the subject should be referred to the extremities of this Union. Mr. D. read a statement of the committee that had the question of the rechartering of amount sent to each of the branches in these and other the bank in their charge, with the design that they might places, showing that, instead of the currency being coninquire into the subject, and, if they found it improper or fined to the West, it was circulating in every portion of injurious, to forbid the practice in the future charter, if the country; and that, by recurring to the statement of the bank should be rechartered. In this light, he thought the bank, they would find that the Ancient Dominion was the subject belonged peculiarly to the select committee not excepted. To Norfolk there were also bank orders on the Bank of the United States, as the legal question sent; that they had, therefore, been diffused throughout had been already judicially decided, and that, therefore, the various sections of the Union, and to the various there was no propriety in the reference to the Judicial branch banks in the Eastern and Middle and Southern, as Committee. well as to the Western States. I will refer, said Mr. D., Mr. SMITH made some remarks, which were indis- to another mistake which the gentleman has fallen into. tinctly heard. He was understood to say that, in relation He says that the West is drained of its gold and silver. to the bank's drawing specie from the West, that such Now, by the statement of the bank, it seems that, of all the was not the effect there, more than in other portions of specie that is drawn from the West, there are five millions the Union, which effect had been caused by the dreadful drawn from New Orleans alone, and all that is drawn from pressure of trade over the whole country; and that the the whole Western country is but eight millions--which specie did not go to the Bank of the United States, but to leaves only three millions from that entire portion of the England. The specie drawn from Baltimore was as great Union, exclusive of New Orleans, which city I presume as that which had been drawn from the Western States, the gentleman would not accuse of being unenlightened, or any where else. When the Bank is called on, said and which is peculiarly well situated to be the channel of Mr. S., it cannot deny the payment of the specie for these specie. There were, then, but three millions drawn from orders. How else can the bank manage them as they now those parts of the West which could be called frontier do' Must they go to all the branch banks for aid, on every settlements. They had thus contributed almost nothing occasion? Without this currency, they cannot avoid it. -comparatively nothing-when the whole amount paid It is, therefore, a necessary practice to obviate the diffi- to the bank by other portions of the country was consiculties which would otherwise be insurmountable. dered. Mr. D. felt it his duty to express these sentiments Mr. BENTON rose to say a word in answer to the ve- to the Senate, that they might know the true state of the nerable Senator from Maryland, [Mr. SMITH.] That Se-case, and the reasons why he had moved to refer the renator was not present when this discussion began, and had not heard the papers read, upon which it was founded. Mr. JOHNSTON said that he did not suppose that the These papers showed that the branches in question had question should be discussed at this time by the Senate, been sending up hard money to the parent bank, for but that it should be left to the select committee; and, if years before the exportation of specie began. The re- any question for which the present discussion would be mittances from the South and West dated from 1827--the proper, it would be on the rechartering of the bank; exportation had only begun in June last. It was not a to which point there would be a more suitable applicacall, in distress, which the bank had made, but a system-tion of the arguments of the gentleman from Missouri. atic abduction, which had been going on for years. Every Sir, I listened to the gentleman with astonishment the other Southern and Western brauch was drained of its specie day, and was surprised at his excitement upon this subject. by this process. The disproportion between the specie I think he must certainly be somewhat prejudiced, or that on hand, and the paper put out by these branches, was he does not comprehend the interests of the Western peoexcessive, enormous, and appalling. At Pittsburg, forty ple with regard to this subject. Sir, what great evils have to one; at Lexington, twenty to one; at Nashville, twenty been experienced from the circulation of these orders in to one; at New Orleans, sixteen to one; at Fayetteville, the West since they were first issued? They were issued North Carolina, about seventy to one. Such were the re- because it was difficult to carry on the concerns of the turns of last December. It was the abduction of the pre-institution without them. It was said the bank had failed, cious metals which had reduced the Southern and Western because the managers had said that it was impossible to branches to this lean and famished condition, of which he pay the bills in every portion of the Union, whenever complained. It was of the currency, illegal and danger- they might be presented, and specie demanded. But, sir, ous, for which there was no adequate means of redemp- the Bank of the United States had equally the liberty of exton, that he was now demanding investigations, and change with the other banks, and an equal currency, with beseeching the friends of the Bank of the United States more gold and silver; yet this could not be expected if the not to fly it. branch banks could not give checks on one another, and Mr. BUCKNER objected to the course which this sub- on the parent institution. Does not the very idea of a ject was taking. He did not think that this premature branch bank include this privilege? Would it be violatdiscussion was proper. He hoped it would not continue. ing its charter to exert it? And does not the parent bank The CHAIR decided that it was not in order to discuss now exchange with them these orders as well as smaller the question. sums of money for the benefit and convenience of the Mr. DALLAS said that he would call the attention of public? Sir, the banks not only pay these small bills, the Senate to some of the remarks which had fallen from but give checks on one another, and in this way the exthe gentleman from Missouri. He was desirous to cor-change is maintained. And the banks cannot be conrect certain errors which that gentleman had, no doubt ducted or the people accommodated in any other way. unintentionally, fallen into in relation to the United States' | Mr. J. said he did not wish to engage the attention of the bank, in his remarks of this morning. He has stated that Senate himself, or interrupt the debate on other subjects. the effect of the paper currency is to distress the South-But when he saw this question introduced in this pecuwestern and Western States, and that they were the scc-liar manner, by submitting resolutions calling for informaCons exclusively where the orders were sent; that it was tion, and then, before it was obtained, to proceed with a the borders and unenlightened parts of society that were premature discussion calculated to mislead the public-chosen, &c. I have only to remark that the towns of Pro-inflame their minds-and excite their prejudices against vidence, Burlington, Utica, Buffalo, Pittsburg, and the bank-he felt it his duty to explain the object of these others, where an equal or greater amount is sent, are not orders, and show that they were not fraught with mischief, in the unenlightened condition which the gentleman sup- and followed by distress and ruin, as the gentleman had SENATE.] The Tariff. [FEB. 9, 1832. attempted to induce us to believe. The gentleman has arose from numberless villages. And, finally, to touch of said that there were to the amount of forty millions of with still deeper tint the glowing scene, he pointed to us these orders in circulation; and that the whole West was that great mart of commerce, the city of New York-the drained of its gold and silver. Why, sir, I know that this modern Tyre. But the honorable Senator here stoppedis not the case. I was myself at New Orleans last season, his pencil fell from his hands, when he turned to the South, and I know that, for the five millions sent to the parent and she was not found upon this canvas. Where were bank, there were nine millions returned from the markets her rising towns? Where her lawns, her animated groves, of our produce to replace it; and, so far from there being and living hills? I said she was not on his canvas--I misa deficiency of gold and silver, the general anxiety was to take--she was there, but she was enveloped in gloom. know what to do with it. Does not the gentleman know She had ventured to utter complaints--to put forth ber that the rich countries of Mexico and the other gold and grievances respectfully, but strongly--and she was scowled silver regions are directly open to our trade? That our upon--reprehended as uttering unfounded complaints, produce is sent out there, and our ships come home loaded entertaining unwise opinions, and as advocating a system with specie? This is the general course and effect of which would recolonize America. If the Senate could that trade; and when the specie is brought into New Or- see nothing in all this to justify complaint, then are we inleans, the great question is how to dispose of it. This the deed fairly subject to reproach. What, sir! could not that Bank of the United States performs for us by transporting fervid and glowing fancy create one animated spot--find it at their own expense. Sir, when the question comes up one oasis in the wilderness of gloom, on which to rest in order before the Senate, I hope to be able to satisfy How comes this, Mr. President? Is there any thing in you that the Western people are benefited, instead of soil, in climate, in position, to explain it? Do we sow and being injured, by this currency; and that the circulation not reap? Has the earth suddenly refused to yield to us of the specie could not be effected without the aid of this arrangement. The motion of Mr. BENTON was then laid on the table. THE TARIFF. The Senate then again proceeded to the consideration of Mr. CLAY's resolution in relation to the tariff. Mr. MANGUM recommenced, and spoke two hours in conclusion of his speech against the resolution, [as given above.] Mr. TYLER then expressed his intention to address the Senate on the subject, and moved an adjournment. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9. her harvests? Comparisons are said to be odious; but I only follow in the footsteps of others, and rely upon citations which have already been made in this debate. Look to Mr. Gee's pamphlet of 1750, upon which the honorable Senator so strongly relied, urging upon the British Govern ment the adoption of a policy which would prohibit the use of machinery in the colonies, and compel them to take writer dwells with apparent delight on the profitable exthe manufactured goods of the mother country. That changes which would be carried on with the South; there which would be exchanged for the costly manufactures of would be raised the richest products in the raw state, England. Of the North, that writer speaks in terms of opprobrium and contumely: "The cast off rags would do for the North. New England and the Northern colo nies have not commodities and products enough to send us in return for their necessary clothing, but are under great difficulties, and, therefore, any ordinary sort will sell with them. And, when they have grown out of fashion with us, they are new fashioned enough there." Mark you, Mr. President, this is not my language; it is Mr. TYLER, of Virginia, rose, and said that, if he were the language of the pamphlet, introduced and read by permitted to consult his personal feelings, he should re- the honorable Senator from Kentucky. I beg leave to inain silent. His state of health, which had been but of give you an anecdote which is said to have occurred at the late so far improved as to enable him to resume his seat table of General Washington, shortly after the adoption in the Senate, admonished him to silence. But he could of the federal constitution. I do not vouch for it, but not reconcile it to himself to remain a mere "looker on have often heard it mentioned by others. The party con here in Venice," while this great question, so deeply and sisted of several Southern gentlemen, and one gentleman vitally affecting the interests, the enduring happiness of from the North. That great and good man was dwelling America, was under discussion. He owed something to on the benefits which would arise from the adoption of the himself, but much more to the State which he had the constitution; he portrayed the countless blessings which honor, in part, to represent. It did not seem to him to be proper that the sentiments of Virginia should be withheld at a crisis so momentous. He should, therefore, give free utterance to his opinions, and, in doing so, he believed himself to be representing, fairly and honestly, the sentiments and opinions of his native State. The resolutions submitted yesterday by Mr. BENTON and MP. SPRAGUE were considered and adopted. THE TARIFF. The Senate resumed the consideration of Mr. resolution respecting the tariff. CLAY's it would bring to the South-dwelt on its rich productions, and the profitable interchange which it would carry on with all parts of the world. At length, turning to his Northern friend, he inquired, "but what will the North do?" The brief and laconic answer was, "we will live by our wits." And well has this reply been realized. By The honorable Senator from Kentucky [Mr. CLAY] had their wits they have acquired much of the wealth which drawn a glowing picture of the condition of the country. properly appertains to a more genial climate and richer He had spoken of this as the golden age of these confe- soil. Their ingenuity has brought forth useful inventions derated States. By the magic of his eloquence he had for the benefit of mankind: hardy, industrious, enterpris transported us to what, with classical taste, he was pleased ing, they have, in the pursuit of fortune, roamed over to call La Belle Rivière, and, sailing down its stream, he distant lands, and braved the terrors of the mighty deep. pointed out to us a smiling, animated scene-villages rising The compliment paid them by Edmund Burke, on the floor up in endless succession on its banks, while the arts were of the British Parliament, was every way deserved. Every gaily meeting us at every step. From thence he led us Southern man rejoiced in their prosperity, so long as it into the interior of his own State, and there again all was was the result of their own indefatigable industry. Even beautiful and enticing. Widely extended lawns-animated their wooden nutmegs excited but a smile, and nothing groves--and hills covered with numberless flocks. All more. They may, for me, make trade and profit of all was gay--all was beautiful-all enchanting. He then their notions, except their tariff notions. Against that I translated us to the North, and again we stood in fairy do protest with all my strength. But let me return to the land. Here flourished the arts, and the buzz of industry course of my inquiry. How comes it now about, that, FEB. 9, 1832.] The Tariff. [SENATE. while the South is impoverished, the North has suddenly he would behold the effects of an untiring industry; and become so rich? Why is it, that, while the North is dressed in rich and gay attire, the cast off rags will now do for the South? This is the great subject of inquiry; and I shall prosecute it with patience, and, I trust, with a becoming temper. let me also tell him that he would be received with the extended hand of hospitality, and welcomed by the inmates of that venerable mansion after the manner of the olden time. These estates are embraced within the limits of my native county, of the citizens of which it gives me both pleasure and pride to speak. The honorable Senator from Kentucky has told you that Virginia was more benefited by the tariff than any And now, Mr. President, let me express an honest other State in the Union. In one breath, he has dwelt opinion--it may be a mistaken, but it is an honest opinion. upon the large amount of our exports of bread stuffs, and, Five estates upon the James river, and within that county, in the next, has told us of deserted farms and abandoned which, for the information of the honorable Senator, I houses, of families which have gone into decay, and of will name Shirley, Berkeley, Westover, Weyanoke, and younger brothers flying to the West. Why the younger Sandy Point, would supply from their surplus production brother should fly to the West, and not the elder, since every manufacturer in Rhode Island with food, and I inthe descent law operates equally on all, I cannot tell-cline strongly to think that you might throw Connecticut but let that pass. If our exports are so very large, and into the scale along with Rhode Island. Let me be unso excellent a market is provided in the North, then our derstood. I do not mean that they could supply 75,000 farms ought still to be cultivated--prosperity should still barrels of flour for Rhode Island. No, sir; this would be be ours, and our families should be preserved from decay. altogether extravagant. And if the honorable Senator's Nor can these results flow from the abolition of the law statistics be correct, (they are furnished him by others,) of primogeniture. [Mr. CLAY explained. He had said then do these manufacturers in Rhode Island devour more that the ancient seats of the great families of Virginia had of the fruits of the earth, than ever did an equal number gone into decay from the abolition of the law of primo- of men in any portion of the globe. [Here Mr. ROBBINS geniture, and he had instanced Shirley, Westover, &c.] begged leave to explain. He said that the flour imported Mr. T. had understood the honorable Senator, and the into Providence was not destined exclusively for Rhode remark was undeniably true, to some extent, although Island, but found its way into the interior of Connecticut, not so in reference to the particular estates alluded to. I&c.] I am happy to hear it, said Mr. T., for I began to speak of the effect of the abolition of the law of primo-be seriously alarmed for our good friends in Rhode Island, geniture upon the aggregate mass of production. It has lest they should fall victims to plethora. No one coming expelled the spirit of aristocracy from among us, and has from that State had ever impressed me with the belief substituted, in place of it, the spirit of a bold, and fearless, that the inhabitants possessed such voracious appetitesand unbending republicanism. And I can say, with perfect and certainly the two honorable Senators had not productruth, that the wide world does not contain a population ed with me such an impression. The whole population more devoted to the great principles of human liberty, or of the State is but 96,000 souls, men, women, and chilmore ready at every hazard to maintain them. Our prospe- dren; and 75,000 barrels of flour, over and above their rity ought to be greatly increased, and would be greatly in- own production, would be a supply altogether too extracreased, by the operation of our descent law, would Go-vagant for the whole population, not to limit it to the mavernment consent to unshackle commerce. Nothing is nufacturing class exclusively. better calculated to increase production than the division That we are proud, Mr. President, I do not mean to and subdivision of estates: lands are thereby brought into deny-proud of our native land--proud of our illustrious cultivation, which would otherwise remain unreclaimed, ancestors—have we not cause to be proud of their high and industry exerts all its sinews in their cultivation and deeds in arms, and of their wisdom in the cabinet-of their improvement. To none of these causes, then, is our con- devotion to the rights of man, in the maintenance of which dition ascribable. they wasted their once ample estates, and considered The honorable Senator, in his effort to find out other them as nothing? And if their descendants are sometimes causes of depression, has seen proper to remark that we found in penury, while the mansions of their fathers have were too poor to live--too proud to work-too high-passed into stranger hands, who among them would exminded and honorable to resort to ignoble means of ac- change their humble habitations for the splendid abodes quisition--brave, daring, chivalrous." That we are too of the ungenerous and selfish? Has not Virginia now poor to live, as did those who, but a short time ago, pre-cause to be proud of her sons? Look there, and there, ceded us, is most true—and, sir, it is our misfortune to be and there, and there, and there, and there, and there, growing poorer and poorer: the cause of this I shall at (pointing to Messrs. GRUNDY, ELLIS, FORSYTH, BIBB, tempt presently to explain. But that we are indolent or POINDEXTER, BUCKNER, and CLAY;) and although some idle, I utterly deny. There lives not a more industrious few of them are found the advocates of a policy which population under the sun, taken in the mass. Let the ho- she regards as ruinous and destructive, she nevertheless norable Senator revisit his native State; let him go with feels a pride in the intellectual strength which they never me to Shirley and to Westover, the estates which he has fail to display. But if she had no other cause of pride, represented as dilapidated and in ruins, and he would the State which had given birth to a Washington and a promptly abandon the error into which he has fallen. The Jefferson, would have sufficient reason to exult and refirst, the ancient seat of the Carters, he would find in the joice. The rest of the portrait drawn by the Senator possession of a descendant of that respectable family, requires no comment--"too high-minded to obtain their Who in his own person would illustrate the correctness of objects by ignoble means." Yes, sir, this, I trust, is true; the last touch to the portrait drawn by the honorable Se- and if the honorable Senator had succeeded in proving nator-brave, daring, chivalrous-that bravery, that dar- (in which, however, he will be found to be mistaken) that ing, that chivalry, displayed on board the frigate Consti- this tariff benefited Virginia, if it did so at the expense tution during the late war, in a bloody engagement on the of some other State, she would, I am sure, be too highocean. Not too proud to work, as the highly improved minded to sustain it for an hour. condition of his estate, the reclamation of an extensive body The honorable Senator, then, is mistaken as to the true of swamp land as rich as the delta of the Nile, would because of our distress and impoverishment. I have looked speak. Westover, it is true, has passed out of the hands carefully into the matter; and my inference is, that it reof the ancient family of the Birds, for debts contracted sults, to a great extent, from the single fact that we sell before the revolution; but the honorable Senator would cheap, and purchase dear. Other causes may conjoin find in its present possessor no idle drone. There, too, with this, but this is the great controlling cause, and am VOL. VIII.-22 SENATE.] The Tariff. ply sufficient in itself to account for the condition of the South. [FEB. 9, 1832. ruin, inevitable ruin. This assertion requires no proof to sustain it. Every man's common sense, however small The home market has been represented to us as of vast may be his share of that, the best of all sort of sense, will importance, more especially in reference to bread stuffs. assure him of this. Let any man, for instance, deal for This delusion has now been kept up for fifteen years. his supplies with a country store, for any length of time, An increase of duties has never, at any time, been pro- and he will find the most ample estate melting away. posed, but that we have had representations made of the Why is this, but that, while he obtains for his produce a great importance of the home market, produced by the low price, he has to pay, in many instances, a hundred per encouragement of domestic manufactures. And yet, sir, cent. upon many articles of consumption necessary for the no man has ever known produce so low as it has been du- supply of his family and estate? Such will be found to ring the last seven years. Tobacco down to an average be the operation of the tariff, as I shall be able satisfactoprice of from three dollars and fifty cents to four dollars; rily to prove to the Senate before I take my seat. wheat averaging during that period, in the seaport If educed prices appertain equally to all things, then towns, seventy-five or eighty cents; corn from ten and matters go on happily and harmoniously. It only requires six pence to two dollars per barrel; rice, cotton, in short, the same quantity of produce to purchase what is wantevery production of the soil, at the lowest minimum price ing, and no evil arises. But the reverse is true when proof production. And if it was not for the foreign demand, duce is low, and articles of consumption high. Let me prices would become entirely nominal-produce would illustrate this by the plainest example. If tobacco, or either rot in the granaries of the country, or, what is still corn, or cotton, or any other article raised from the soil, more probable, the process of production would cease (for the result will equally apply to all; but, for the sake altogether. Who does not see the wide-spread ruin which of simplifying, take tobacco,) fall from ten dollars a hun would desolate the land? From an extract taken from a dred to five, and broadcloth fall from ten to five, it is merchant's books in Philadelphia, claiming and receiv- perfectly obvious that the same hundred weight of tobacco ing unqualified confidence, flour and wheat commanded purchases a yard of broadcloth, as it did before the fall in a much higher price in 1771, 2, 3, than now; wheat price; but if tobacco fall to five, while the broadcloth rethen sold for one dollar the bushel, and flour for seven mains at ten dollars the yard, then the tobacco planter has dollars the barrel; and yet we are continually told of the to exchange two hundred pounds of tobacco for a yard of great importance of the home market created by the ta- broadcloth. In other words, he has either to double his riff. The corn planter and wheat grower understand their production, incurring in that process great additional exinterests in this respect somewhat better than they are pense, to be satisfied with only one-half the broadcloth as supposed to do, and so do the manufacturers of flour. They formerly, or to go in debt for the residue. Now, sir, look abroad for their important markets. The corn trade these are the effects produced by the high tariff of duties; to South America is carried on to a great extent. The and this has made us the advocates of that despised thing millers in Richmond find, in that country, an extensive, called free trade; and for this it has been said that we adand, I have no doubt, a profitable market for bread stuffs; vocate a policy which would recolonize America. The and shipments are actively carried on in the same direc-imputation is unjust; against Mr. Gee's system our ances tion from all parts of the United States. My honorable tors protested, and against that system we would wage ne friend from Massachusetts, who sits before me, [Mr. SILS-ver-ending hostility. Sir, we oppose this American system, BEE,] a few years ago, inquired of me as to the prospect because it rests upon the same principle. What was the of procuring a cargo of flour at Richmond, which he was English system, and what this? England said, you shall desirous of shipping to South America. The trade to buy only of us, and pay a tax in the bargain: what is the England, notwithstanding her corn laws, is extensively language of this? You shall buy only of Northern mecarried on. When the ports are occluded, the flour ship-chanists, and be heavily taxed in the bargain. Is not this ped thither is placed in bond, and is sent to the different the language of the American system in effect? Is it not markets of Europe, as they respectively hold out the a declaration that we shall buy only of domestic fabrics, prospect of commercial advantage. Exchanges are thus and that at an exorbitant price, as I shall presently show, beneficially made for British fabrics. Canada also opens unless we pay a burdensome duty for the privilege of conan extensive market for American wheat, with a view to suming foreign goods?-a duty, which in some instances convert it into flour, when it is exported, under all the operates so heavily as to shut out importation altogether, advantages accruing from important discriminations in fa- and in every instance is oppressive and burdensome to the vor of the colonies, made by the mother country. Nor last degree. Do not both equally invade the principle of is this all; other markets are presented to the corn grower, liberty? The same heavy and oppressive manacles are of considerable value. The foreign price regulates the put on commerce by each; and the agriculturist, through domestic price; and the fluctuations which take place the instrumentality of whose labor commercial exchanges every fall in the wheat market here, are ascribable to can alone be effected, is made to bend under a weight of hopes excited by the slightest circumstance of an increas-burden which presses him to the earth. ed price abroad. If a cloud is over the face of the sun Simplify this American system, and what is it? Take during the harvest time in England, prices advance; and for illustration four individuals: one shall represent the if accounts are brought of a fall of rain, the spirit of spe- Southern producer, the second the English manufacturer, culation immediately becomes more active, and the far- and the remaining two, Northern manufacturers. The mer pockets the benefit. Under these circumstances, Southern farmer interchanges the valuable productions of the addition of an important market at home would not the soil, at their minimum price of production, with the Eng fail to bring about an increased demand, and with that a lish manufacturer, for articles necessary for his consump greatly augmented price; but, so far from this being the tion, at their minimum price of fabrication. The exchange case, produce, I repeat, was never lower than it has been thus made is equally beneficial to each, and neither, notsince this American system has been established. That withstanding the great fall in price which has taken place the price borne by the various articles created by agricul- in the fruits of their industry, experiences decline. The tural industry is at the lowest possible grade, no one can first obtains for his flour, his tobacco, his cotton, or rice, reasonably doubt. The first part of the proposition is as great a quantity of the articles which constitute the then made out, and the citizens of the South sell at the mass of his consumption, as he formerly did when he ob cheapest rate. tained much higher prices; and so does the latter. The The effect of selling cheap, and buying dear, must be means of living as abundantly as ever exists with both, The consequence of such a traffic is and both are equally prosperons; but the two Northern epparent to all. FEB. 9, 1832.] The Tariff [SENATE. capitalists suddenly interpose, and forbid this advantage- the money, he would ask, to meet its engagements? The ous course of exchange. They shackle it with heavy re- answer would be given, without hesitation, in the negastraints, imposing upon the farmer the necessity either of tive. Why, then, am I called upon to pay it? The taxpurchasing of them at a greatly augmented price, or of gatherer, having received his instructions, would answer encountering still greater exactions in the course of the that the tax was collected for the benefit of some seven foreign trade. They are enabled to legalize their pur- hundred rich planters in Louisiana, engaged in the purpose, if indeed injustice can ever be legalized, by the suit of sugar-making. This would doubtless excite great majority--power which they wield. I submit it to honor- astonishment, and the inquiry would promptly follow into able Senators to say if I have not drawn, by this exam- the motive and the object. Please tell me, Mr. Taxple, the epitome of the American system; and I demand gatherer, how I am interested in this. The Government of all candid men to say whether the power thus exerted levies this tax upon you for the sugar planter, to enable is not selfish, despotic, and unjust. Sir, if this matter was him to supply the American market; and if you will but brought to any particular neighborhood, and made there pay the tax for twenty years, you will then get the sugar to operate upon individuals, eloquence and ingenuity as cheap at home as you can now abroad, and then the tax combined could not gloss it over, or hide its deformity may cease. So, then, I am to pay three cents upon every from the public eye. Take three individuals in any neigh-pound of sugar that I use for twenty years, in order to obborhood, and let the article involved be one of acknowledg-tain it as cheap then as I can now without the tax. How ed necessity: one of these supposed persons is a purchaser am I benefited by this process? If, at the end of twenty of corn for his own consumption, and the other two are years, I am to get it no cheaper than I now do, how is it farmers, one of whom, however, by reason of the superior possible, in the nature of things, that I can derive advanfertility of his land, is enabled to sell his corn at fifty cents tage from this process? The answer is at hand: when the bushel, whereas the other, cultivating a poorer soil, did error or injustice ever stand in want of apology or apoand laboring under other disadvantages, can only afford logists? You will then be independent of foreign nations, to raise it at eighty cents. Now, who would doubt for a is the reply which the tax-gatherer would give, and which single instant that the buyer would be greatly benefited we have heard a thousand times from the advocates of by purchasing his supply of the first at the small price, this miscalled American system. Independent of foreign rather than of the last? But, suppose the Government nations! Sir, this is not only a shallow, but in some meadared to interfere in the matter, and exacted of the pur-sure an impious argument. An all-wise Providence never chaser thirty cents in the bushel on the corn which he designed that man should be independent of man, or nation might purchase from the abundant producer; and should, of nation. Separate man from his species—throw him upon moreover, assign as the reason for such interference, no his own unaided and unassisted resources—and you conwant of revenue on the part of the Government, but a vert him forthwith into a ferocious savage. So with a nadetermination so to elevate the price of corn as to enable tion. The ocean, which has been aptly called the highway the second farmer to command eighty cents per bushel of nations, bears upon its bosom the rich freight of the arts for his; who, within the wide-spread limits of this Union-and sciences of one portion of the world in exchange for who, having any relish for freedom on the face of the those of another. Light is then given for light, and civihabitable globe-would hesitate to pronounce such con-lization is advanced to its highest point of perfection. But dict arbitrary and despotic? If an imperial monarch, adopt the opposite policy--accomplish this work of indearmed with absolute power, levied such an exaction, would pendence-convert the frozen regions of the North into the he not be justly denounced by mankind as a tyrant? Was burning equator in their productions: in other words, set the per capita tax in the time of Richard II, or of ship at naught the decrees of the Creator in the formation of money by Charles I, more evasive of right and liberty? the globe, and let the ocean no longer be used for the And yet the spirit of English freedom was roused to resist- great purposes of commerce, and the bold pretensions of tance in both these instances, and in both the monarch was man would be punished by the results of his own shortmade to tremble on his throne. sighted policy. Chaos would come again, and the night This system is only sustained from the circumstance of of gloom and ignorance would enshroud the world. And, its being enveloped in mist which the public mind has after all, are not nations that sell as dependent upon nanot yet penetrated. It presses upon men with a hand tions that buy, as the reverse? The dependence is mutual, which, although felt, is not seen. Its action is indirect, and that mutuality of interest and dependence constitutes and therefore not fully understood by the great mass the golden circle which embraces the universe. of mankind. Sir, I hesitate not to say that, if its action I have embraced, in the short analysis which I have just was direct, the system would melt beneath the blaze given, the whole argument in favor of the tariff system. of popular indignation. Take any one of the numerous The answer accompanies it, and the decision cannot be at taxes which it imposes, and levy it directly on individuals. variance with the opinions I am advocating. Operating Send your tax-gatherer to each and every person in the on the members of an individual society, it would be highly United States once in the year, to collect the sums now oppressive and unjust; but what shall we say of its effects exacted by this protective system upon the articles which upon States-inter pares? The confederacy rests on the each has consumed, and you would be answered in a voice principle of perfect equality among its members. which would cause you to tremble in your high places, if impose a tax which operates unequally among the States, it did not shake you out of them. Send your tax-gatherer enriching some and impoverishing others, is to violate that on the last day of December in every year, to ascertain of original design, and remove the foundation-stone on which the farmer the quantity of brown sugar which he has con- the social edifice was made to rest. But it has often been med in his family during the year-I take sugar, out of said, the system is as well Southern as Northern. It is the no invidious spirit, because all other items on the tax list result of a general law which embraces all portions of the are equally obnoxious, but merely because the process of Union. Why, then, do you of the South not enter into it? analysis is more plain and palpable. Well, sir, the visit is The question is answered by the fact, that although the paid, and the requisition made; let us imagine the dialogue system has existed for sixteen years, we have not gone which would arise between the parties. Our fellow-citi- into it to any extent, and no machinery of consequence zens are somewhat inquisitive, and, like the people of other has been introduced among us. This is sufficient to prove countries, are rendered more so when demands are made that the system is not ours. The Southern States are pon their purses. The farmer would inquire into the cause either not ripe for it, or there is something in their condiof the levy upon him of three cents in the pound upon the tion at war with its adoption. Can any man be at a loss to brown sugar he had used. Does the Government want assign the reason? The North is extensively commercial; Το |