tariff, will not impair the protecting system. [ty of taking up the revolutionary pensions bill, A motion of Mr. GRUNDI, to go into the con the question was taken, and the rule was sus sideration of Executive business, was lost, ayes pended, for the purpose of taking up both bills. 18, noes 19. On motion of Mr. Foor, the Pen-On motion of Mr. McDUFFIE, the general apsion bill was taken up; the question being on the propriation bill was then committed to a Commotion to include in the provisions of the bill,tha mittee of the Whole on the state of the Union officers and soldiers who fought in the Indian The House then went into a Committee of the wars, during and growing out of the revolution. Whole on' the state of the Union, Mr. WickMr. ROBINSON moved to recommit the bill to LIFFE in the chair. A long discussion took the Committee on Pensions, with instructions place on the amendment of the Senate striking so to amend it as to provide also for the officers out the appropriation of $9,000 for an outfit for and soldiers above mentioned, and to give land a minister to France. After the other amendin lieu of money, in quantities not less than a ment had been disposed of, the committee rose quarter section, nor more than two sections. and reported the bill. The SPEAKER presentA debate then ensued, which lasted the re-ed to the House a communication from the mainder of the day. Messrs. FOOT, GRUNDY, Secretary of the Treasury, with a report, and BELL, HILL, MANGUM, BUCKNER, WHITE, the draft of a bill, on the subject of the tariff. CHAMBERS, HOLMES, EWING. BIBB, and HAINE, It was referred to the Committee on Mannfacseverally addressed the Senate on the subject. tures, and ordered to be presented. Friday The Senate adjourned over to Monday. next was, on the motion of Mr. DODDRIDGE, as MONDAY, APRIL 30. The Senate did not sit on Saturday. In the House of Representatives, Mr. POLK, signed for the consideration of the District bu. after a few prefaratory remarks, moved to sus-siness; and, at half past four o'clock, the House pend the rule, for the purpose of moving to re-adjourned. fer the apportionment bill, as amended by the Senate, to a committee. The motion being agreed to, Mr. PoLa submitted a motion to commit the bill and amendments to a select com- In the House of Representatives, Mr. DoDDmittee. A discussion ensued upon this propo-RIDGE moved to suspend the rule for the pursition, and Mr. ADAMS moved its postponement pose of offering a resolution for the appointtill Monday. The motion, however, was nega-ment of a committee on the subject of changtived, as also was one by Mr. L. CONDICT to ing the time of the next annual meeting of commit the bill to a Commi tee of the Whole Congress, so that it shall meet at an earlier pe on the state of the Union; and the motion of riod. Mr. McCoy moved a call of the House, Mr. Polk was agreed to, with the addition of which was negatived. Mr. TAYLOR called for an order for the printing of the bill as amend-the yeas and yeas, which being ordered and ed, together with the report of the Senate. Mr. taken, the proposition was negatived, ayes BOON moved to suspend the rule, inorder to offer 83, noes 51, it requiring two thirds to sus a resolution fixing a definite period for the close pend a rule of the House. The trial of Mr. of the present session of Congress, but the mo- Houston was further postponed till Monday, in tion was negatived-ayes, 111; noes, 66-a consequence of the continued indisposition of proposition to suspend the rule requiring a vote Mr. Ker, his counsel. Mr. DANIEL, by conof two-thirds. The SPEAKER laid before the sent, presented several petitions on the subject House a letter from Francis S. Key, Esq. sta- of the rechartering of the Bank of the United ting that he was unable, from indisposition, to States. Mr. CARSON, from the Committee.on attend, to-day, as counsel on the trial of Mr. Naval Affairs, reported unfavorably on the case Houston. On motion of Mr. JOHNSON, of of Alexander Macdonald, of North Carolina. Tennessee, further proceedings on the trial The further consideration of the report in the were postponed till to-morrow, at 11 o'clock. case of the collector of Wiscasset, was postponThe bill granting pensions to Johnson Rundlet, ed till Monday. The resolution submitted on a Henry Tew, James Reynolds, and Jonathan former day by Mr. ADAMS, and laid on the table, Reeves, soldiers of the revolution, was read a calling on the Secretary of State to explain third ume and passed. The bill for the reliet why the Annual Calendar had not been comof Richard P. Morris, returned from the Senate pleted as provided for by a resolution of a with an amend nent, was ordered to a third previous Congress. Mr. ADAMS said, that as reading to-morrow, the amendment having been the resolution had already produced the desirpreviously concurred in. Mr. McDUFFIE mo-ed effect, he should move to lay it on the table ved that the rule be suspended, for the pur for the present. He knew from former experipose of taking up the general appropriation ence, the reason of the delay which had occurbill. Mr. WHITTLESEY, of Ohio, shortly stated red; it was not attributable to the Secretary, that it would be useless to act upon any more but he wished the resolution to lie on the taprivate bills during the present session, as there ble, where it would serve as memento to the were already more bills of that nature before Clerk. Mr. ADAM subsequently withdrew the the Senate than could receive their ac ion. The motion. Mr. WICKLIFFE expressed a wish that unfinished bills on the calendar would stand in the work had been as well printed as it was a better position next session, by remaining bound. Mr. TAYLOR adverted to several ludiwhere they now are, than by passing them and crous typographical errors which it contains. sending them to the Senate. After some re- Mr. WHITTLESEY, of Ohio, moved to refer the marks from Mr. HUBBARD, urging the proprie-resolution to a select committee, which was HORN, and MANN, of Pennsylvania; JENIFER, of Mr. DODDRIDGE moved a suspension of the rule, for the purpose of offering a resolution that the next meeting of Congress should be on the first Monday in November next, instead of the first Monday in December, the period fix agreed to, ayes 61, noes 59. The committee of the 2 per cents. of the sales of public lands was ordered to consist of five members. The reserved for making roads in that State, was, resolution submitted by Mr. PEARCE on the after an amendment including the State of subject of the imprisonment of Dr. Howe, by Mississippi, moved by Mr. ELLIS, considered the Prussian authorities in Berlin, was agreed and agreed to. Mr. King, from the Committee to. The resolution introduced by Mr. WILDE on Public Lands, made reports on several subon the subject of the currency, was then taken jects that had been committed to that commitup, and modified by that gentleman. Mr. Invis tee. On motion of Mr. BROWN, 3,000 copies opposed the inquiry as altogether inexpedient, of the report of the Secretary of the Treasury particularly as the great question of the bank, on the subject of the tariff, together with the which is shortly to be considered, involves the plan of a bill for the permanent regulation of subject of it. He asked for the ayes and noes the duties on imports, presented on Friday last, on the question of its adoption. Mr. VER- was ordered to be printed for the use of the PLANCK moved an amendment to the resolution Senate. The bill from the House making a making silver a legal tender and providing for donation of land to the Territory of Arkansas, the receiving of gold of a certain weight and to aid in the erection of a court-house and jail fineness in payment. Mr. ADAMS said, that it at Little Rock, the seat of government of that was merely a resolution of inquiry, and a por- Territory, was read and ordered to a secend tion of it referred to subjects entirely distinct reading. At an early hour the Senate, on mofrom those embraced in the bank question tion of Mr. SMITH, went into the consideration The subject of gold or silver being made a le- of Executive business, and continued sitting gal tender, was of great importance, and inas-with closed doors until its adjournment. much as he thought it ought to be investigated, In the House of Representatives, petitions he should vote for the adoption of the resolu-and, memorials were presented by Messrs. Jantion. The hour having expired, the rule of the vis and Evans, of Maine; INGERSOLL, of Conn.; House, devoting Saturday to private business, BARSTOW, of New York; DENNY, DEWART, was suspended on the motion of Mr. HUBBARD. The Revolutionary Pensions Bill was the next business in order. Mr. McDUFFIE moved to lay it on the table, and the motion was agreed to. Ayes, 80, noes 74. The House then took up the General Appropriation Bill. The amend. ment making an appropriation of $3,500 for ex. tra services in the Surveyor's Office in Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas, which was struck from the bill by the committee, being considered. Mr. ASHLEY, Mr. WICKLIFFE, Mr. SEVIER, Mr.ed by the Constitution. IRVIN, Mr. DUNCAN, Mr. CLAY, and Mr. HUB- Mr. WICKLIFFE said, it would be, perhaps, BARD, opposed the report of the committee on better to ascertain whether the present session mte subject, and urged the expediency of mak-would not continue until the opening of the ing the appropriation, in question. Upon a di- next one, as appearances, at present, seemed to vision, the House agreed with the report of the indicate. Mr. DODDRIDGE expressed a hope committee. Ayes 70, noes 51. At the sug-that the, gentleman was rather in jest than in gestion of Mr. MCDUFFIE, all the amendments earnest, in saying so. After which, at the call of the Senate to which the committee ha of Mr. SPEIGHT, the ayes and noes were taken agreed, were concurred in by the House. A on Mr. DoDDRIDGE's proposition, when it was paqate ensued on the vote of the committee, negatived-ayes, 74-noes, 66-a motion to disagreeing to the amendment of the Site, suspend the rule requiring a vote of two-thirds. striking out the appropriation of $9,000 for an Resolutions were presented by Mr. JENIFER and outfit for Minister to France, and the ques- Mr. WHITE, of Florida, and referred to the ap tion was ultimately decided in the affirmative,propriate committees. On motion of Mr. HoвN, On a division, ayes 102, noes 77. So the gran modified at the suggestion of Mr. ADAMS, the of $9,000, for an outfit for a minister to France, memorial of the Philadelphia Free Trade Conwas reinstated in the bill. The House then, at vention, together with the bill reported from half past five o'clock, adjourned. the Committee on Manufactures, was referred to a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. Mr. RENCHER, from the Commit.. In the Senate, yesterday, Mr. SMITH, from tee on Claims, reported a bill for the relief of the Committee on Finance, to which was re- William Smith, which was read twice and comferred the resolution of the 30th March last, mitted. Mr. HOGAN, from the Committee on instructing the committee to inquire into the Claims, reported a bill for the relief of Richard expediency of abolishing the offices of 2d Au. Hardesty, which was read twice and commitditor and 24 Comptroller, made a report the eed. Mr. Boox moved to suspend he rule, in on, which was read and ordered to be printed. order to move for the printing of an additional The report is adverse to the objects of the reso-number of copies of the report on the subject lution. The resolution submitted by Mr. KING, of the sale of the public lands, but the motion directing an inquiry into the expediency of au was negatived. The further proceedings in the thorizing the payment, to the State of Alabama, case of the breach of privilege were suspended TUESDAY, MAY 1. till this day, in consequence of the continued indisposition of Mr. Key, the counsel of Gov. Houston. The House then resumed the consi THE TARIFF. REPORT OF THE deration of the general appropriation bill. Up- SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, On the adjustment of the Tariff. on the clause granting $12,000 for the printing of diplomatic documents of the period between the treaty of 1783 and the year 1789, the ayes and nays were taken, and it was carried in the TREASURY DEPARTMENT, April 27, 1832. affirmative-ayes, 87-noes, 68. The amend. SIR: In obedience so two resolutions of the ment of the Senate appropriating $5,000 for a House of Representatives, of the 19th January, survey of the waters of Narragansett Bay, which 1832, directing the Secretary of the Treasury was rejected in committee, being considered, to collect information as to certain manufactures Mr. PEARCE moved that the House do not con- in the United States, and to communicate the cur in the report of the committee, and the mo- same to the House, with such suggestions as he tion was agreed to-ayes, 62-noes, 80. The may think useful, with a view to the adjustnext item which had been rejected in the comment of the tariff, and with such a tariff of duties mittee, was that of $17,500 for the purchase on imports, in his opinion be best adapted to the of a bridge between the navy yard and the dry advancement of the public interest; the underdock, at Norfolk, for the purpose of permitting signed has the honor to report, that, for the access to the latter; and, after some discussion, purpose of effectually complying with the preit was agreed to, with an amendment proposed sumed object of the House, as soon as proper by Mr. WICKLIFFE, without a division. The agents could be selected, he addressed circulars other amendments of the Senate, having been (a copy of which is now transmitted) to gendisposed of, Mr. WATMOUGH moved to recom- tlemen in the States north of the Potomac, and mit the bill to a Committee of the Whole on the in the State of Ohio, requesting their aid in colstate of the Union, with instructions, for the lecting the information desired, and also sought purpose of making an appropriation for the De personal conferences with eminent manufac laware Breakwater, the delay of the work on turers and other gentlemen acquainted with the which, he stated to have led to a loss of from subject. $30,000 to $50,000, within the last two weeks Some of those, however, who had been seonly. Mr. SUTHERLAND urged the House to lected as agents, declined acting; and owing to vote the suspension, and read an extract from that and other causes, with which it is not necesthe letter of the superintendent of the work, sary to trouble the House, more time has been showing the injury at present accruing to it. On employed in executing the intentions of the a statement that an appropriation for the object department than was anticipated. The importin question was contained in another bill, Mr. ance of despatch was fully appreciated, but, WATMOUGH withdrew his proposition. Mr. until the returns could be received, to enable CLAYTON, on the part of the Select Committee the undersigned to communicate the facts called on the Affairs of the Bank, presented a report for by the House, he did not deem himself on that subject, and moved that it be referred authorized to submit any suggestions, or recomto a Committee of the Whole on the state of the mend any particular modification of existing Union, and printed. A discussion took place duties. on the subject of the report. Mr. McDUFFIE These returns have but recently begun to addressed the House in explanation of some of come in, and have yet been only partially rethe points contained in it which are stated to ceived; but rather than incur greater delay, at bear unfavorably towards that institution. Mr. this advanced period of the session, or longer CLAYTON replied, and argued that the investi- disappoint the expectations of the House, the gation had demonstrated that the affairs of the undersigned has the honor to communicate the bank had been improperly conducted, and that returns as far as they have come to hand, and its operations upon the interests of the commu- will continue to transmit others as they may be nity were of a dangerous tendency. Mr. An as received at the department. disclaimed a concurrence in the sentiments ex- I complying with so much of the resolutions pressed in the report, and animadverted on the of the House as requires the Secretary of the course pursued by a majority of the committee Treasury to communicate his own suggestions, in making the inquiry. Mr. CAMBRELENG fol- he is well aware of the delicacy and responsi lowed, and vindicated the conduct of the com- bility of the task he has been instructed to permittee, stating that that part of it which Mr. form: he is profoundly sensible, however, of ADAMS thought most objectionable, had been the importance of the crisis which has induced adopted with the full concurrence of the Presi- the demand and he has entire confidence in dent of the Bank himself. The debate was fur- the liberal patriotism with which every honest ther continued by Mr. WAYNE, (who made an effort, for the adjustment of its acknowledged unavailing motion to postpone the subject to difficulties, will be received. Monday next,) by Mr. WICKLIPPE, Mг. THO- If the raising the proper amount of revenue mas, of Maryland, and Mr. JOHNSON, of Ken-were the only object, or could alone guide these tucky. The report was ultimately referred to suggestions, the task would be comparatively a Committee of the Whole on the state of the easy; but the crisis presents a different and far Union, and ordered to be printed. The House more complicate subject. The impost system hen adjourned. of the United States has been, for many years, Should the public expenditures amount to $15,000,000 after the payment of the debt in 1833, there would be a surplus in that year of only $3,500,000. ncidental y, but so intimately connected with preposed, the duties cannot be materially, if at the growth and protection of American capital all, reduced, consistently with that object, earand labor, as to have raised up great national lier than the period indicated. interests, indispensable to the prosperity of the If the duties be reduced, as proposed in the country, and which cannot be lost sight of in bill to take effect in March, 1833, the amount any new adjustment of the system. How far which, according to the principles adopted in other interests, in different portions of the forming the estimates for 1832, may be estima. Union, can be satisfied in the system now to be ted as the receipts from the customs in 1833, framed, without injury to those important inter will be about $18,000,000, which sum, after ests, is the question which makes a compliance providing for the payment of the debt in that with the direction of the House, a labor of year, would leave, for all other objects, $15,great delicacy, and of still greater difficulty. 500,000. In the circumstances which at present require a general reduction of the revenue, it is not believed practicable to preserve, for any length of time, the degree of protection hither. to afforded to those interests which have grown No allowance, however, is made in this estiup under the past legislation. The state of mate for the effects of a diminished importapublic feeling throughout an important portion tion, or an unusual re-exportation of those artiof the country, which, with greater or less in-ticles which may be included in the reduced tensity, calls for a revision of the existing tariff, tariff, and might not be necessary for the conis not to be disguised. Both patriotism and sumption of the country before the reduced wisdom dictate that this sentiment should be tariff should go into operation. Yet, however respected, and, as far as may be compatible equally a prospective reduction may enable the with the common weal, that it be satisfied, not importers to adjust the supply to the demand, from any unworthy motive, but under that obliga. it is believed that a considerable reduction tion of duty which requires that all be regarded should be made for these contingencies. It is with an equal eye; that all be borne upon with doubtful whether they would leave any surplus, an equal hand; and, under that no less solemn but, if any, a small one. And, in carrying into obligation, to preserve, by any reasonable con-effect a great change like this, it would be im cessions, our inestimable Union. prudent to incur the risk of a scanty or defecFully impressed with these considerative revenue, merely to avoid the chance of a tions, and in the belief that, by their resolu- small surplus. tions, the House has required suggestions for a If a reduction of $10,000,000, or upwards, general reduction of duties on the articles com- should be made, to go into operation immediprehended in the existing tariff, the undersignately, it would effect not only the future reveed has felt it to be his y to deal with the nue, but that which has already accrued, and 'subject in that spirit, and has now the honor to which forms the chief basis of the receipts insubmit the result of his investigation and re-to the Treasury during the present year. Whatflection in the form of a bill accompanying this ever amount, receivable from the customs in this year, may be now in bond, it cannot be letter. He does not intend it so much for a perfect doubted, that before those bonds become due, scheme, as to embody those suggestions which a re-exportation would take place of all such be has been called upon to make in a definite articles as should be included in the reduced and intelligible shape; and, while looking to tariff, and be in a situation to entitle them to the patriotic object of the resolution, which debenture. Such articles could not enter into has also guided his own judgment, he cheer- competition with those imported under the refully assumes the responsibility of the scheme duced tariff, and would necessarily be re-exnow presented, he will derive no less gratifica-ported. turer, importer, consumer-would derive from timely notice of any important changes in the rates of duty, is a consideration, which also, ought not to be overlooked. tion if that object can be better attained by any In regard to the proper time for the reducother plant which wiser counsels may devise. tion to go into operation, the advantage which The basis of the bill now submitted, is a to-all parties interested—the producer, manufac tal repeal of the act of the 19th of May, 1828, from and after the third of March, 1833, and a limitation of the revenue afterwards to be raised, by a new system of duties, to the existing expenditures of the Government, and to such other necessary expenditures as the exigency of the public service may require, and Con gress, in its wisdom, may authorize. The estimate which was presented in the late annual report from this department, of the amount to be received into the Treasury from customs, in the year 1832, was founded, chiefly, upon the importations of the year 1831; and, as the receipts from that source will not be greater than may be safely relied on for the payment of the public debt, within the time For the objects mainly intended to be provi ded for, an annual revenue of $15,000,000 is estimated to be necessary. Of this amount, an til Congress shall otherwise determine, the sum of $3,000,000 may be estimated to be received from the public lands. Should Congress hereafter determine to dispense with this source of revenue, any deficiency thereby occasioned may readily be raised by a small augmentation of the duties proposed by the bill upon the class of articles which are taxed solely for the purposes of revenue, or may be distributed among the whole. The remaining $12,000,000 it is proposed to the hands of others less scrupulous as to the reraise exclusively from duties on imports, in the straints imposed by the laws. manner particularly provided for in the bill. It The most plausible ground on which this is estimated that, by this mode, the whole an-system can be defended, is, the security it nual revenue from customs, calculated upon affords to the manufacturer against the superior the importations of the year ending on the 30th capital of his foreign rival, and the occasional September, 1830, after deducting re-exporta- excessive influx of the foreign merchandise.— tions, will be reduced more than $10,000,000; But an ad valorem duty of sufficient amount and, upon that portion of them commonly call-upon the actual value of the goods, fairly ased protected articles, more than $3,000,000: certained under the guards in the bill, may and, also, that the rate of the whole duty from accomplish the same object not less effectually. customs, calculated upon the cost of the import- From information derived principally from the ed merchandise in the same year, exclusive of statements of eminent manufacturers, a duty of all charges, will be reduced from about forty-10 per cent. on the manufactured article, befive per cent. to about tv enty-seven per cent. yond that on the raw material, would, of itself, The difference, howeve,between the rate of equalize the cost of the domestic and foreign duties since 1830, and hat under the bill, will article, and afford a sufficient protection to the not be quite so great, owing to the reductions manufacturer against foreign competition in the already made in the duties on tea, coffee, mo-ordinary course of trade. If, by the reduced lasses, and salt. rate of duty on the raw materials, and the low A great number of articles of the first heces. rate of duty on all other articles of general consity, or partaking of the character of raw mate- sumption, the American manufacturer may, as rials, have been relieved from duty altogether; is believed, bring his merchandise into market and on many of the necessaries of life, and those principally consumed by the poorer classes, a duty almost nominal has been imposed. upon terms of equality in cost with the foreigner, it is not doubted that the ad valorem duty proposed by the bill, with cash payments, An opinion has been heretofore expressed adequate to guard against the superiority of and a duty on sales at auction, will be fully by the undersigned, in favor of a prospective foreign capital, and the fluctuations of trade. and gradual reduction of the existing duty on It is a rate of profit in ordinary times not enarticles embraced by the protective system; but joyed by any other branch of industry not it has been departed from in the bill, in defer necessarily exposed to greater risk and vicissience to respectable opinions from other quar-tude. ters, but principally to what is understood to be the wish of the manufacturers themselves, who prefer a system permanent in its character to one liable to change. It has not been supposed practicable to offer any reasonable scheme of compromise, and for the adjustment of existing differences, which should not avoid the incongruity in the act of 1828, from the extravagant duty on the raw materials, and the well-founded objections to the system of minimums. coarse wool not raised in the United States, and The imposition of a revenue duty merely, on on the coarser denominations of cloths, is believed to be a concession due to the south and to the south western portions of the Union, and which may be made without serious detriment to the manufacturer. Without some concession of present advantages from all interests, any scheme of adjustment must be considered as hopeless. The bill now submitted, proposes to raise It is believed that the producer of the raw the revenue, with as littie inconvenience as material, and especially the grower of wool, possible to all parts of the Union; it designs to will receive an ample indemnity for the con- leave all the great national interests adequately cession now required, in the constancy and protected, while it lessens the duty on raw steadiness of the market, which the sure and materials and articles of necessity. Greater permanent success of the manufacturing esta-protection might be given, and the growth, blishments will not fail to afford for his commo. both of the raw material and of the manufac dity, and in the cheapening of his general sup-tures, might be more rapidly encouraged. It plies. Independently of these considerations, is believed, however, that by the scale of however, it will appear by the statement ac- duties in the bill, the advancement and pros companying the bill (marked A) that, by the perity of each will be certainly attained; and it duty imposed by the bill on raw wool, a price is for those interested to consider, whether it not less than forty cents a pound is secured to be not wiser and more patriotic to be content the domestic producer of that article. Other with a certain and permanent, though more statements, showing the operation of other gradual process, than by contending for exparts of the bill, will be prepared and transmit-treme protection to endanger their own interted as they may be found necessary. est, and ultimately disturb the harmony of the Union. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, The system of minimums is regarded as imposing an unnecessary and extravagant rate of duty, and as encouraging the commission of frauds difficult, if not impossible to prevent. It is believed that the effect, already, has been to exclude the fair Ainerican importer, in a The Hon. the SPEAKER, great degree, from the trade, and to leave it in LOUIS MCLANE, Secretary of the Treasury. of the House of Representatives. |
