Centennial Commemoration. [SENATE. General you all know the wishes on the subject of the great man whose memory you think to honor by vain and empty pa- will, cited by Mr. FORSYTH, and the letter of Mrs. WashMr. B. here read the clause of General Washington's rade. There was another view of the subject. Every ington to the old Congress, and proceeded to show from age and clime produced great men; and the last great man, these documents that the views taken by the opponents in the opinion of the age, is the greatest. Sir, ten years of the resolution were not warranted by them. will hardly pass by, and you will find that some great man W. could not, at the time of making his will, have anticiis also worthy of a tomb in your splendid dome; a few pated the intentions of Congress; and Mrs. Washington, years more and another great man will be deemed worthy who best knew his feelings and opinions on all subjects, of a place by his side. tion between the elder Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Congress. They ran no hazard, then, of trampling upon Will you inake the odious distinc-saw no objection to granting the request made by the old James Monroe, and decree to one a national tomb, passing any feelings of delicacy, by redeeming the solemn pledge by the others? Once commence, and you will continue to of Congress. He begged leave to explain what he underfill the capitol with all the cemeteries it is capable of hold- stood was intended to be produced by the resolution. He ing, until the bones of Washington will moulder by the would not say the measure contemplated was intended to side of some--I hope not worthless President. Once com-advance the fame of General Washington, either in a mimence this Romish rite, and you will canonize as many litary or civil point of view; but there was something patriots as there are saints in the Romish calendar, and more important intended, and this was a nation's gratitudeassociate Washington with any patriot whom party may the gratitude of a republic-to save which, he was mainly blindly elevate. No good could ever come by disturbing instrumental. Nay, more; there was yet a higher consithe remains of the dead. Washington reposed peacefully deration, and this was to exhibit to the world the bright by the side of his relatives, in the family sepulchre, and example of Washington's life, which had been assigned to his monument would endure to the last posterity in the history's brightest pages, &c. history of his country. Mr. T. said he felt more than due to public feeling on this occasion? Would no benefits ordinary on this occasion. Virginia was the country where result from carrying back these feelings to the interesting Was there not something Washington was born--Virginia was his living place and time which made us a nation? It was not for the sake of his burial place. Think you, said he, that she will con- the illustrious dead, but for the sake of the living, that he sent to the violation of the tomb of her dearest child? was anxious for the adoption of the resolution; it was for What right have you, if you will not imitate the simplicity the purpose of displaying in full relief the virtues of the and purity of Washington, to rob us of his mortal remains? great benefactor of his country, that made him anxiously Will the proprietor of Mount Vernon, think you, consent wish for the ceremonies to be performed. Mr. B. defendto outrage the feelings of a whole State? Rely upon it, ed the former Congress from the charge of having acted be will not. Whether, said Mr. T., we regard the pro- inconsiderately in making the application to the afflicted ceeding as a matter of feeling; whether we regard it as a widow. For himself, he was satisfied that, although the matter of propriety; and whether we regard it as a matter application was made under the impulse of feeling, it was of delicacy, we ought not to consent to adopt it. concluded by saying that he estimated highly the feelings state of deep affliction; but yet was there no consolation, Mr. T. not made without consideration. The widow was in a of those gentlemen who were in favor of the resolution; was there nothing left her but despair? Was there no but, with the opinions he entertained, he could not concur power to intermingle with the heart-rending throbs that with them in voting for its adoption. Mr. TYLER rose simply to announce his entire concurrence with the sentiments expressed by his honorable colleague. He saw no good likely to grow out of the measure under consideration. He saw no great and paramount obligation on Congress to carry the resolution of 1799 into effect; and he could not believe that, by the adoption of the resolution, they could elevate higher the fame of the the husband from those of the wife. Not a member of The committee spoke not of separating the remains of great man who was alike the object of veneration to all. them even dreamed of it-there was not one of them so He did not believe it was necessary, in order to testify dead to the inward feelings of the heart as not to respect their respect for his memory, or gratitude for the services the sacredness of the union. he had rendered his country. Why then this procedure? ments in favor of the resolution from Mr. B., at consideraThink you he will rest more securely under the dome of ble length, After some further arguthe capitol, than in the family vault at Mount Vernon? Let the great dead sleep the sleep of death in his own country. Let him continue to repose by the side of his nearest and dearest relatives. Bear not his bones from of our fathers." the tomb to be exhibited as a spectacle to a gaping crowd, and realize the very consequences anticipated by my colleague. Mr. T. said he would not trespass further on the attention of the Senate. express his entire concurrence with the opinion of his His only object was to colleague, and his determination to vote against the resolution. what consolation, he asked, was better than this evidence All Great demanded of the Scythians when they would give Mr. HOLMES observed, that when Alexander the him battle, their reply was, when you come to the graves nations had cherished the highest reverence for the tombs The sentiment was a noble one. of the dead. Ought we not, then, said Mr. H., to pay the highest possible respect to the memory of him whom we thought he saw, in this discussion, a noble struggle beemphatically called the father of his country? Mr. H. tween the State of Virginia and the United States. The Mr. BIBB said, if his feelings were not counteracted can people; each striving for the remains of that man who spectacle was a noble one, and one worthy of the Ameriby higher considerations, he should be content to give a was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of silent vote on the resolution; but on that occasion he only his countrymen." There was one sentiment which had asked of his countrymen, as lovers of the illustrious sub-rather created a shock to his feelings. It was that the ject of the present discussion, to hear the motives which consent of the widow to the removal of the remains of her inclined him not only to adopt but to be anxious for the husband had been obtained at a time when she was not adoption of the resolution. He should not reason on this perfectly herself. reasoning upon the life and character of an ordi- feelings had been the sole influence of her conduct, a He was inclined to think, that if her hary man. It was because Washington was the most ex- result would have been produced adverse to the applicatraordinary of all extraordinary men, that he advocated tion. Sir, we all know how powerful is the feeling under the course of proceeding recommended by the committee. such circumstances; how we long to cast one last look, ere case as 375 SENATE.] GALES & SEATON'S REGISTER Centennial Commemoration. [FEB. 13, 1832. we consign the remains of those we love to the silent tomb. Washington for the remains of his illustrious relative, no It was at such a moment that the consent of the widow was objection of the kind, so eloquently and feelingly set forth asked; and we have every reason to believe that she was con- by the Senator from Virginia, had been made by him. vinced of its propriety when she granted the request. Mr. Mr. C. went on to observe that he fully concurred in H. regretted the opposition of the Senators from Virginia. the sentiments which had been so feelingly and so forcibly He hoped they would yield, and admit the claim of the expressed by his honorable colleague; and he would state He would not for the information of the Senate, that the draughtsman United States to be stronger than theirs. speak of the great moral effect to be produced by the of the present resolution had consulted the records of the adoption of the plan recommended by the committee. transaction of 1799, in order that it might be so worded, He thought that if the desire exWe will remember and strive to imitate his virtues, by that, while national gratitude was testified, private feeling When we look on his re-should be respected. having him placed before us. mains, we shall reflect on his admonitions, and be called listed to remove the body of Mrs. Washington with that Houses could take the measures necessary to carry such It had back to our duty when we are wandering from the paths of her husband, that the presiding officers of the two of his precepts. Mr. FORSYTH said that the vote he should give had purpose into effect; and the resolution had been so draughtOn been argued that the clause of General Washington's will, no relation to the character of the deceased; that charac-ed as to leave to them this discretionary power. ter was beyond the reach of any action of Congress. the general question of erecting monuments to the me- which was first read by the Senator from Georgia, was This reasoning mory of the departed great, he had one observation to written by the illustrious deceased, with the express intenmake. They were marks, not of national gratitude, but tion of preventing any such public homage being paid to of pride: the grief has passed away, and there remains his remains as was now contemplated. but the ostentation of it. We have a right to be proud of appeared to him [Mr. C.] extremely inconclusive; indeed, our Washington; and, when foreigners inquire of us, it was contrary to all we know of the severe simplicity of where is his monument?-our answer is, in our hearts. Washington's character, to suppose that the idea ever ocSir, my feelings on this subject are the result of deep, all-curred to him that the people of the United States would pervading, overwhelming gratitude to the great bene- interest themselves about the disposal of his remains. Mr. factor of our country; his wishes are my law: I find them C. said that one of the principal reasons, or at least a here recorded, and I can act no otherwise than in accord- powerful one, which would influence his vote upon this ance with them. Honorable Senators, however, seemed question, was the fact that the vault at Mount Vernon, to think that those wishes were not fairly expressed, and, from its situation, within one hundred yards of the Potoif the deceased had been aware of the intentions of Con- mac, was nightly exposed to be entered and robbed by cat Who could gress, his directions would have been different. Sir, the any three persons disposed to commit the crime. It had language is as plain as it can be made: the wish was been intimated that such an attempt was designed to be It to Europe, for he knew not what purpose. clearly expressed, and all its consequences must have made by some foreigners, with a view to carry the remains been in the mind of the illustrious dead at the time. life. has been well said that Washington was an extraordinary wish the bones of the father of his country to be veneratman. He thought not, he felt not, he acted not, as ordi-ed as relics, or exposed as a show in foreign climes? No! nary men; and were he asked if this wish was in accord- This magnificent capitol was their proper sepulchre. If ance with the whole tenor of his life, he would say it was a member of either House were to die, a public funeral in perfect keeping with it. Sir, he was an extraordinary would be granted-a marble monument would be erected man, and the brightest trait in his character was its sin- over his grave; and can we, dare we, said Mr. C., refuse plicity. Though often placed, by circumstances, in oc- to the founder of this republic an honor, a token of recasions of ostentation, he always shrunk from them, and spect, which we should grant to one of our own body?! his greatest desire was to return to the quiet of private should be ashamed to go home to my constituents, and The Senate had been told that the State of Virginia His last act was perfectly consistent with every give them such an account of my stewardship in this mat No man more respected the claim of Gentle-had prior claims. previous act of his life; he looked not on this world, ter. but to the one in which he was about to enter. men speak of his thoughts, of what his directions might that State than himself, when he was well assured that have been had he anticipated the intentions of Congress. they were the claims of the State in its corporate capacity. Sir, his last directions were: Make no ostentatious cele- No such claim had been made; and he was certain that if it bration of my obsequies: suffer no funeral orations to be had been, Virginia was too generous not to withdraw them pronounced over my tomb. Do not these directions, then, in behalf of the common country of the whole Union. go to say: suffer-no, I will not say violation--but suffer The Senator from Virginia had expressed an apprehen Washington--that other men would, by our successors, no disturbance of the tomb where my body takes its last sion that other Presidents would be laid by the side of Mr. DICKERSON said that it was unfortunate that the be as much adored as we now adore Washington, and no subject should be discussed, but it could not be avoided. discriminations would be made between him and them. He hoped gentlemen would consent to postpone the further consideration until to-morrow, that time might be given to the members for reflection. rest. Mr. C. did not anticipate such result, although he knew the greatest; and the disposition of the people was to too well that the last great man was always considered Mr. CLAY said, the relation in which he stood to the make idols of their favorites; but he would himself dis committee, called upon him to say a few words by way criminate betwen Washington and any man who had lived, He had from Adam down; and he was willing to trust to his succes of explanation, and they should be but few. sympathized with the feelings testified by the Senator sors for the continuance of that veneration of Washington's He had respected the character which would forever place him incomparably But should it please the Alfrom Virginia, (Mr. TAZEWELL.} warmth and the cloquence with which that gentleman had higher in their estimation than any other man who had expressed those feelings. He did not wish, any more as yet risen among them. than that gentleman, to separate in death those who had, mighty to bestow upon the country the blessing of another during life, enjoyed undivided happiness; but, at the Washington, he could not, for one, wish that the same same time, he considered that, on so delicate a subject, honors now proposed should be withheld from him. Mr. the family of the deceased were much better qualified to C. said he had not intended, on rising, to say thus much, decide than himself, or even the honorable Senator from and he would conclude, by expressing the hope that the Virginia. When the application was made to Judge Senators from Virginia would waive their objections to the resolution, and that its adoption might meet with the general concurrence of the Senate. The question being put, the resolution was adopted by the following vote: [SENATE. 358,181 bushels of corn, mostly sent from North Carolina and the ports of the Chesapeake to Rhode Island alone, in one year, is near one-half of all the corn shipped from the whole of the United States to all the world besides, inYEAS.-Messrs. Bell, Bibb, Clay, Clayton, Dickerson, cluding the great corn markets so triumphantly named by Dudley, Ewing, Foot, Frelinghuysen, Hendricks, Holmes, that Senator, viz. Great Britain, West Indies, and South Johnston, Kane, Knight, Moore, Naudain, Poindexter, America. And I assure you, sir, that Rhode Island reSprague, Tipton, Tomlinson, Waggaman, Webster, Wil-ceives but a small proportion of the quantity shipped coastkins.-29. wise, to feed manufacturers and others sustained by that branch of industry. Sir, the corn growers will not consider the home market "contemptible;" they will not believe it a "delusion," when they feel the noun substantive in their pockets. No, sir, they will pronounce the "delusion" to rest elsewhere. NAYS.--Messrs. Buckner, Dallas, Forsyth, Grundy, Hayne, Hill, King, Mangum, Marcy, Miller, Smith, Tazewell, Troup, Tyler, White.-15. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14. THE TARIFF. The Senate resumed the consideration of Mr. CLAY's resolution respecting the tariff. Sir, the Senator said, and said truly, that for many years flour and corn had been shipped to the East from the graingrowing States. It is true they did so; and what became of it? Was it consumed there? No, sir, the greater part was by them carried to the armies of Europe: the Eastern reso-people were the carriers; and, as long as they could live by that trade, they continued it: that business having failMr. KNIGHT, of Rhode Island, who addressed the Sen-ed by the peace of Europe, they were compelled to turn ate as follows: their attention to other pursuits. They sought out new Mr. TYLER again rose, and, in a speech of about an hour and a half, concluded his argument against the lution, [as given above.] He was followed by Mr. President: It is not my intention to detain the Sen-inventions. Congress pointed the way, and happily for ate long on a subject that has been so fully investigated our country, our whole country, they commenced manuby genius, and enforced by the power of eloquence; but factures. Not so fortunate for the individuals who emonly to state a few facts that appear not to be rightly un-barked in it; for, like all other pioneers, they did not grow derstood here. rich, but, at much cost and great labor, have cleared many Sir, I am no painter; I draw no pictures to ravish the of the obstructions that obscured the path, for the benefit eye; neither do I possess the gift of poetry or eloquence of those who will succeed them. Sir, it is the opinion of to amuse the fancy, enchant the ear, or beguile the under- many well informed men, that the introduction of the mastanding; none of these are mine. I am, sir, an unambi-nufacture of cotton in the United States has not only betous cultivator of the soil, disposed reasonably and ra- nefited us in a political view, by making us independent tionally to encourage and promote the mechanic arts and of other nations for coarse and necessary fabrics, but is of manufactures, and to aid the whole industry and happi- great benefit to the grower of cotton; that it has greatly Less of our common country; more than this is not my in-expanded the use and consumption of that article; and, by tention. And if gentlemen will leave the elevated region of fancy, and come down and dwell in the sphere of us humble working men, I will endeavor to show that Earl Grey is not the only distinguished orator that sees visions; and that all the poverty and distress so feelingly depicted by Senators on this floor, is not to be attributed to the encouragement of the industry and manufactures of our country. creating another market, and increasing the number of purchasers, competition has increased, and facilities been given to the producer in the sale of his cotton. It is a fact, admitted by every body, that a ready and prompt sale of any article depends on the demand for it, and the number of purchasers in the market. If you wish to sell your farm or plantation, and there is but one purchaser, you must sell at his price and at his time; but if there are three Sr, when the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. TYLER] purchasers, you will obtain a fair price, and at your own read the letter from his friend who had found a new mar- time. This competition of purchasers is now manifest in ket for his corn at the Yankee factory, I thought the Sena- the cities of Charleston, New Orleans, and other Southern tor himself, in spite of his prejudices, had almost become markets, in regard to cotton. Go into those markets, and a proselyte to the true faith; and that he would arrive at you there meet the Englishman, Frenchman, and Amerithe conclusion that it was better to purchase our neces- can, competing with each other in the purchase of cotton, saries of life, and "notions" of our neighbors, and pay for expediting the sales, and adding facilities to the trade. them in the productions of our own soil and industry, than Can it then be said that no benefit is derived to the grow run to a foreign store and pay money and the same price.er of cotton by manufacturing it in this country? It seems Although he seemed for a while to falter, yet the spectre to me it will not be denied. tarif, urging him on, still haunted his imagination, and appeared more terrible to his fancy than the witch of Endor to the peace of the departed spirit of Samuel. Sir, our market is now open to Great Britain for all the finer cotton fabrics, which she will continue to supply as she always has done not only cottons; but, every thing maAlthough his friend and neighbor had discovered that a nufactured by her. Notwithstanding she takes all the new market for his productions had been created by the cotton she needs, we still have to pay her a balance in encouragement of manufactures, the honorable Senator money. Sir, the very knives on our desks, stamped with did not so understand it. He seemed to consider it as a the name of the makers, (Rogers & Son,) and inscribed on mere chimera of his friend, and had no existence in fact, the blade, "manufactured for the Congress of the United or, if it had, was of very limited extent, and too" contempt- States," cost many bales of cotton; and when we consider ale" for consideration. However small or "contempti- the quantity and variety of articles used and consumed by ble" it may appear to that honorable Senator, the grow-us, and manufactured by her, we need not be under any ers of corn will deem it otherwise. Those who grow corn fear that Great Britain cannot pay for the cotton she purwill turn to the statistics of the country, and there see that chases, unless we take coarse cottons manufactured by her also. No, sir, she will always pay as long as you will sup* Several years ago, Earl Grey, after a hard day's study, raising his The premium now given for bills eyes from the book, was struck with the vision of a head." He ply her with cotton. on London indicates no alarm on that point. Sir, if all the taxes that dwell in the imaginations of gen anand the room for the cause, but in vain. It was considered a mere illusion, ari ing from a disordered state of the stomach, brought on by a sedentary life. It is said that sedentary men, of strong powers of tlemen, are paid by the American people in reality, I will agination, are occasionally subject to the same disease, and think they see in every evil the tariff. say that, instead of our being free from exactions, we are 379 SENATE.] GALES & SEATON'S REGISTER cotton? [FEB. 14, 1832. to our im most cruelly oppressed. Although the picture presented turn to our exports, they have increased; by honorable gentlemen is truly appalling, yet, if they are ports, they have not diminished: surely the tariff cannot right in their premises, the one half is not told. Sir, it be the cause why our own navigation has not had its ful! Were we to view the prosperity and the accumulating has been asserted here, that the bounty to manufacturers share of the business of our country. of cotton goods alone is nearly nine millions of dollars; yet nobody sees it, nobody feels it, and nobody knows it; wealth of the cotton planter for many years, could we not and, if it had not been gravely stated on the floor of Con- see some of those merchants, lured by the golden promise gress, there is not a man in the Union, out of Congress, from their precarious and uncertain navigation, to the Should we not find some of them voluntarily would believe it. But, having been asserted here, it has more sure and productive employment of a grower of become necessary to notice it. Sir, with all the rhetoric and arithmetic of honorable participating in the golden harvest so bountifully showered gentlemen, they will be much troubled to make a plain on that portion of the agriculture of our country? I do man understand that, when he purchases a yard of cotton not know the fact, but gentlemen who do know, by lookcloth for seven cents, he pays a tax of eight cents into the ing among their friends and acquaintance, may recognise Sir, may we not find another reason for the decrease of treasury of the Union, or a like sum, in the form of bounty, some who were formerly merchants, now planters. to the manufacturer. You may show it by figures and prove it by argument; but, sir, he still will doubt, and will our foreign tonnage, were we to consider that, during the be apt to believe it is only a vision of those that assert it. long conflict of the European Powers, we were the carIt is said two hundred thousand bales of cotton riers not only of our own productions, but much of theirs were manufactured in the United States the last year; and also; and, at the general pacification, when all Europe that two hundred and fifty thousand will be manufactured resumed their proportion of the navigation, was it not a the present year; but take two hundred thousand as the consequence that the redundancy of tonnage which we basis of calculation. Cotton is protected by a duty of three then possessed should be lopped off and reduced to a fair cents per pound; estimating it at three hundred pounds proportion with the other nations of the earth? Sir, it per bale, the protection on the two hundred thousand bales seems to me that here we discover one cause for a reducSir, can we not discover another cause for the decline amounts to one million eight hundred thousand dollars. tion of the tonnage engaged in foreign trade. Now, sir, if the reasoning of gentlemen is correct, that every thing protected by the tariff is a tax on the consu- of the tonnage of Charleston, in the fact that the great city mer, then this sum of one million eight hundred thousand of New York presents such inducements and facilities to dollars should be set down as taxes paid by the consumer, commerce, that it constantly and manifestly taxes all the Will gentlemen ad- other cities on the Atlantic to its prosperity? And is not for the benefit of the cotton grower. mit that the grower of cotton receives one million eight the gain of that city a partial loss to Charleston? hundred thousand dollars bounty on every two hundred bales of cotton grown by them? They must admit it, upon their own principle of reasoning. It will not do to say that one duty set down in the tariff is a tax on the consumer, and that another, under like circumstances, in the same tariff, is no tax at all. Sir, take the corn, flour, hams, and other articles carried to the manufacturing districts, and consumed there, and, estimating the protecting duties as a tax on the consumer, it will amount to a large sum, and these should all be taken into the account if gentlemen are right in their argument. It does seem to me there is great error in the doctrine advanced here; and the mere statemment of the fact shows the fallacy of the argument so strenuously persisted in, and urged with so much eloquence. Sir, intending to pass over this part of the subject for the Sir, there is another cause in my mind. It has been the None other can successfully compete with the foreign ton- from South Carolina. the We have had portrayed a lamentable picture of the con-vigation of the country has been affected by that arrange. dition of the commerce and navigation of one of the prin- ment, I will read an extract of a letter, received a few cipal cities in the Southern States. Of merchants bank-days past, from one of the most experienced and intelli rupt, others driven from their business to other pursuits; gent commercial houses in the country. It was commu navigation destroyed; ship yards depopulated; and a ge- nicated to me for the purpose of showing the price of salt neral depression of the whole country; and all this is in Turk's Island for several years up to November or attributed to the tariff. Yes, sir, the tariff is the fell de- first of December last; but the part of the letter I shall stroyer that stalks over the land, and blights the fairest por- read, is confined to the operations of trade, more than the Are these things so? price of salt. "The last voyage was undertaken and performed under tion of this once happy country. Do not the brilliant and vivid imaginations of gentlemen overlook the true cause of the decline of the navigating the recent arrangement made by Mr. McLane with the interest in that section of country? Can it not be traced British Government, and a cargo taken on board, of our to other causes than this patient and abused tariff Sir, productions, deemed by us sufficient to purchase a full I will read the extract: The Br FFB. 14, 1832.] The Tariff. [SENATE. cargo of salt of ten thousand bushels; we were, however, route, and, if any extra cost was added, it was not paid extremely disappointed at the result of the voyage. In- by us; that our citizens were concerned in trading-houses stead of the outward cargo bringing four or five hundred at the other islands, to whom we shipped our goods, and dollars more than the full cargo of salt would cost, it they sold them, and had the profits and commission for brought only enough to purchase about eight thousand transacting the business; that such was the situation of the bushels. Indeed, if we had not put on board some money British colonies, that British ships could load in England, ourselves, and the captain been enabled to borrow more of come to this country, here take a cargo for the West Ina passenger, he must have drawn on us for a considerable dies, there take a cargo of sugar or other productions, part of his cargo, or the voyage been almost entirely broken and return home; making three freights in one voyage. up. This disastrous state of trade, as it regards the sale At the same time, our trade must, from the nature of of our own productions, as we are informed, grows out things, be confined to the direct trade. I have seen of peculiar advantages in the duties which the British nothing since to alter the opinion then expressed, and the bottoms, sailing from British colonial ports, enjoy over letter just read goes to confirm it. ours trading to those islands. We annex a statement of the principal items of our cargo, to show the reason why the British bottom has the advantage of ours. We shipped corn, in bags of two bushels each, cost $1 55 Duty at Turk's Island, 20 cents per bushel, Sir, if we have not largely increased the consumption in the British West Indies by the arrangement, we have been great losers by the bargain. Whether the West Indian eats more now than he did before, I do not know. 40 I believe they were never in the habit of stinting or allowancing themselves in that particular. I believe that much 1 95 of their food was obtained from the United States then as 1 50 well as now. Sir, a gentleman of my acquaintance, who commands his 45 own ship, and has, for a number of years, been engaged in carrying cotton from Charleston to Great Britain, told me it $13 25 was a very hard and laborious business-the competition 6 46 with foreigners was as much as he could stand, before the late arrangement; and, by that arrangement, it was con19 71 sidered facilities were given to the British; and he now doubted whether he should be able to continue in the trade much longer. Sir, I know the man-he can com 80 pete with the British, if any man can; and when he surrenders, I shall consider the business as lost to us: there 20 51 is a larger proportion of foreigners entering the port of 16 00 Charleston than any other. In 1829, the American tonnage entered there amounted to 27,696 tons, and foreign 4 51 tonnage to 24,473 tons. The proportion of foreign tonnage entering the port of Savannah was about sixty-six $6 25 per cent., and other ports where cotton is shipped, in1 00 cluding those of the Mississippi, about fifty per cent., compared with the American. Here, sir, we can see one 7 25 great cause of the destruction of the navigation of South 7 00 Carolina. Sir, the owners foresaw the consequences that would result to the navigating interest by the late arrangement; they knew they had been driven from the European trade by the Europeans themselves, and by the skill and enterprise of those who navigate their own ships, and so bravely compete with the world. Sir, the ship owner of Charleston, not able to stand this competition, had no other resource but to sell his ship and become a grower of cotton or a shipper of goods, to be carried by others who can afford freight at a less price than himself. 25 "The British bottom, taking the above articles from Nova Scotia, would be admitted, as we understand, duty free, and, possessing the same advantages as our own bottoms in our own ports on the return voyage, would make a saving business, while ours would lose money." Sir, the contest between this Government and that of Great Britain was not only in regard to the consumption Sir, the merchants of this country are the most sagaof our productions, but also who should carry them to cious men of the nation; they discover their own interest market. The British West Indian consumed as much of as readily, and pursue it as keenly, as any other; and our flour, rice, and other productions, before the arrange- when they know a particular trade is unprofitable, they ment, as he does now: we carried them to the other abandon it, and pursue some other-they never stand islands of the West Indies, and from thence they were idle; hence, the last ship in foreign trade was sold under taken to the English islands by others; we had as good a the hammer to close the concern; she has now changed market at the other islands as we now have, and had all her character, and is seen (enrolled or licensed) bound the profits of carrying the produce to market. Not so coastwise, spreading her sails to the breeze, laden with BOW-we let the British ships carry our productions to the cotton of her native soil, not only untaxed, but protected exclusion of our own. by the American system. Sir, many of the Senators now present, who were here No, sir; so far from the American system being the in 1830, will bear witness when I say that, when the bill cause of the decline of the navigation, it is the means of authorizing the President to issue his proclamation on sustaining it; it is the nutriment it feeds on; the very opening the ports of the West Indies was under consider thing that supports the steady increase, and unexampled ation, I stated that it appeared to me that we were coasting and inland commerce of our country--a trade of eagerly pursuing that which was not worth possessing, far greater value to this nation than the foreign. It is when we shall have obtained it; that, so far as my con- more extensive than a voyage across the Atlantic: comSatuents were concerned, I had rather every thing should mencing at Eastport, in Maine, continuing along the whole remain as it then was, than to change it for any thing we coast, indented by bays and navigable rivers, to the Gulf should get from Great Britain. I also stated that the Bri- of Mexico; thence, up the Mississippi and all its tributatish islands received all our productions by a circuitous ries, to the lakes; thence, extending by the lakes, rivers, |