ments. Mr. Rebello to Mr. Clay. H. CLAY. mit to the president the copy of a recent correspondence relations between the two countries, charged me to say between the charge d'affairs of Brazil and this department, that he is disposed to render a new and signal proof of upon the subjects of discussion between the two govern- that desire, by nominating a successor to Mr. Raguet without unnecessary delay, upon the assurance, which you have given, that he shall be received with the consideration due to his official character, and provided you are also authorized to give the assurance, that in all cases in which injuries have been inflicted on the property or persons of American citizens, contrary to the public law, a prompt arrangement will be made by the government of Brazil satisfactory to that of the United States. I pray you to accept the assurance of my distinguished consideration. H. CLAY. Mr. Rebello to Mr. Clay. emperor Washington, 30th May, 1827. The undersigned, officer of the imperial order of the crosier, and charged with the affairs of his majesty the emperor of Brazil, near the government of the United States has the honor to inform his excellency, Mr. Henry Clay, secretary of state for foreign affairs, that questions having arisen with regard to the legality or illegality of the detention of various American vessels that attempted, (eluding, as is supposed, the blockade which the naval forces of his majesty the emperor of Brazil, are Washington, June 1, 1827. enforcing against Buenos Ayres, according to the laws of The undersigned, officer of the imperial order of the nations), to enter that port; and, at the same time, with crozier, and charge d'affairs of his majesty the repect to the detention of the brig Spark, of New York, of Brazil, near the government of the United States, has which cleared from Rio de Janeiro for Monte Video; the the honor to state to his excellency Henry Clay, minister government of his majesty, the emperor of Brazil, has and secretary of state for foreign affairs, that he has recommanded me to communicate to the government of ceived his excellency's note transmitted yesterday. the United States, that his majesty the emperor, desir- The undersigned, confiding in the certainty that, a sucing to preserve, and even to extend further, if possible, cessor to Mr. Raguet will be appointed, (the absence of the friendly relations existing between the two nations, a representative of the government of the United States hopes that the government of the United States, disap-from the court of Rio de Janeiro being an inconvenience proving the character of the proceedings of Mr. Condy both to that of his majesty the emperor, and to that of the Raguet, the charge d'affairs of the said states at Rio de United States), hopes that the appointment will be made Janeiro, in suddenly demanding his passports, may ap- without unnecessary delay, since, without the presence point a new representative to reside near his majesty, the of an American diplomatic agent, the government of his emperor, who, being received with the consideration due majesty the emperor, can settic no arrangement with that to his character, will find in the government of his ma- of the United States. jesty, the emperor, the most pacific dispositions, and will adjust, in a manner satisfactory to the government of the United States, the questions pending with regard to the detained vessels, and to the brig Spark, according to the law of nations. The undersigned hopes for an answer in writing, that the government of the United States disapproves the conduet of Mr. Raguet, and that the said government is ready to meet the pacific views of his majesty the emperor of Brazil. The undersigned, believing that the government of his majesty the emperor, scrupulously maintains the observ ance of the public law in all its acts, in relation to the governments and individuals of other nations, feels him self authorized to assure that of the United States, that whenever that government will make it appear that any injury has been done to the citizens of the United States, or their property, under the authority of the flag of s majesty the emperor, full and complete indemnity will be promptly afforded, keeping always in view a strict obser The undersigned reiterates to his excellency the pro-vance of the said public law. testations of respect and consideration due to his excellency. J. SILVESTER REBELLO. Mr. Clay to Mr. Rebello. Department of state, May 31, 1827. SIR-I have received the note which you did me the honor, on yesterday, to address to me, and submitted it to the president. tions, and the friendly relations happily subsisting between the government of his majesty the emperor, and that of the United States. The undersigned, flattered by the desire expressed by his excellency, the president, that these arrangements should be made in this metropolis with the concurrence of the undersigned, (which may be difficult since it is at the court of Rio de Janeiro that are to be found the documents which will prove the justice or injustice of the proceedings), hopes that your excellency will tender to his excellency, the president, in the name of the underHe is aware that, during the progress of a military war, signed, bis acknowledgments for this mark of confidence the commerce of neutral nations is liable to occasional in- on the part of the government of the United States, a terruption and vexation. That of the United States has confidence which he will endeavor to retain, by promoibeen frequently subjected to embarrassments and aggres-ing, as far as lay in his power, the interesis of both nasions under color of Brazilian authority, prior to, and during, the war unhappily existing between his majesty the emperor of Brazil and the republic of Buenos Ayres, When these injuries are inflicted, it is the just expecta- The undersigned renews to his excelleney the assntion of the neutral that prompt and full redress will be rances of high consideration and esteem which he entirmade by the belligerent upon friendly representation.-tans for his excellency. J. SILVESTER REBELLO. The president regrets that this expectation has not been fulfilled in frequent instances of well founded complaint, on the part of the citizens of the United States urged by Department of state, Washington, 2d June, 1827. Mr. Raguet, during his mission to the court of the Bra- Sin: Having received, and submitted to the president. zils; and, particularly, that satisfaction was not promptly of the United States, the official note which you did the made for the illegal seizure and detention of the Spark, the honor to address to me yesterday, I am directed by under circumstances of no ordinary aggravation. Mr.him to communicate to you for the formation of your Ragnet's demand for his passports, in consequence of government, that, relying upon the authorised assurance withholding that satisfaction, was without orders and his which your note contains, that on the arrival at Rio Japersonal act, for which he is accountable to his own go-neiro of a successor to Mr. Raguet, a full and adequate vernment, and that only. The president regrets an occurrence which, in Mr. Raguet's view of it, has led to an interruption at Rio Janeiro of the diplomatic relations of the two countries. But no such interruption exists at Washington; and it would have been agreeable to the president if you had been authorised and empowered to make here that indemnity due to American citizens which has been unavailingly demanded at Rio Janeiro. Mr. Clay to Mr. Rebello. indemnity will be promptly made for any injuries which have been committed on the persons and property of citizens of the United States, in violation of the public law, under color of authority derived from his imperial majesty the emperor of Brazil, such a successor will se accordingly sent, and there will be no other delay than such as may be necessary for the designation of a suitable person, and to those preparations which are incident to his proceeding on the mission. The president, however, participating in the desire which the government of the Brazils professes to preserve, and to extend still further, if possible, the friendly Jall just claims of citizens Confidently anticipating a satisfactory arrangement of he United States, upon the government of the emperor of Brazil, according to the assurance which has been given, the president hopes that all past unfriendly impressions will be thus entirely effaced, and that fresh vigor will be given to the amicable intercourse which both countries have so much reason to cultivate with each other. mittee had, according to order, had the state of the union I avail myself, with pleasure, of the occasion to renew to the whole house on the state of the union, and the first you assurances of my distinguished consideration. H. CLAY. The message and documents were referred to the committee on foreign relations. PROTECTION OF DOMESTIC INDUSTRY. Addressed to the editors-The first congress under the present constitution, met at the city of New York, on Wednesday, the 4th day of March, 1789-eleven out of the thirteen states having adopted and ratified the constitution. They did not form a quorum until the 1st day of April, thirty members appearing, when they organized the house by electing Mr. Muhenburg, a member from Penn. speaker, and John Beckley, clerk. On the 11th April, "a petition of the tradesmen, manufacturers and others of the town of Baltimore [being the first presented to congress] in the state of Maryland, was presented to the house and read, stating certain matters, and praying an imposition of such duties on all foreign articles which can be made in America, as will give a just and decided preference to the labors of the petitioners; and that these may be granted to them, in common with the other manufacturers and mechanics of the United States, as to the wisdom of congress may appear proper." The house referred the said petition to the committee of the whole house on the state of the union, into which committee they resolved themselves immediately-Mr. Page, a member from Virginia, in the chair. After sometime, the committee rose and reported, that the committee had thereupon come to the following resolution: Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that the following duties ought to be laid on goods, wares and merchandise, imported into the United States-then goes on to enumerate sixty four articles, the production and manufacture of foreign countries, with the rate of duty annexed to each-also that duties paid or secured to be paid upon goods imported shall be returned or discharged, upon such of the said goods as shall withinmonths be exported to any country without the limits of the United States; except so much as may be necessary to defray the expense that may have accrued by the entry and safe keeping thereof. Thus far had the protecting system, now called the "American system" progressed in our national legislature before the government had been organized, for it was not until the 30th of April that general Washington was inaugurated. The next day, first of May, when the house met, the speaker laid a copy of the speech before the I will add one or two more extracts from the house. journals of proceedings. On the 4th of May, "a petition from the shipwrights of the town of Baltimore, in the state of Maryland, was presented to the house and read praying the attention of congress to the increase of American shipping and tonnage, and the establishing a proper navigation act or acts for that purpose." Ordered, That said petition be referred to the committee of the whole house on the state of the union. On the 7th of May, the house resumed the consideration of the resolution reported from the committee of the whole house on the state of the union, on the 21st ultimo, and the last resolution being amended to read as follows: Resolved, That there ought to be levied on all vessels entered or cleared in the United States, the duties follow Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that an act ought to pass for regulating the collection of imposts and tonnage in the United States. The house then ordered that a bill, or bills, be brought in pursuant to said resolution, and that a committee, consisting of a member from each state present, be appointed to pre-ing, to wit: pare and bring in the same. The committee were Nicholas Gilman, of N. Hampshire; Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts; Roger Sherman, of Connectient; John Lawrence, of N. York; Lambert Cadwalader, of New Jersey; Thomas Fitzsimons, of Pennsylvania; George Gale, of Viaryland; James Madison, jr. of Virginia; Thomas Tudor Tucker, of S. Carolina. On the 13th April “a petition of the shipwrights of the city of Charleston, in the state of South Carolina, was presented to the house and read, stating the distress they are in from the decline of their branch of business, and the present situation of the trade of the United States, and praying that the wisdom and policy of the national legislature may be directed to such measures in a gene ral regulation of trade, and the establishment of a proper navigation act, as will tend to relieve the particular distresses of the petitioners, and in common with them, those of their fellow snipwrights throughout the United States. " On all vessels built within the United States, and belonging wholly to the citizens thereof, at the rate of six cents per ton. On all vessels not built within the United States, but now belonging to the citizens thereof, at the rate of six cents per ton. On all vessels belonging wholly to the subjects of pow ers with whom the United States have formed treaties; or partly to the subjects of such powers, and partly to citizens of said states, at the rate of 30 cents per ton. On all vessels belonging wholly or in part to subjects of other powers, at the rate of 50 cents per ton; Provided, That no vessel built within the United States and belonging to a citizen or citizens thereof, while employed in the coasting trade, or in the fisheries, shall pay tonnage more than once a year: nor shall any ship or vessel built within the United States, pay tonnage on her first voyage; Provided, Also, that no vessel be employed in the transportation of the produce or manufacture of the United States or any of them, coastwise, except such vessels shall Ordered, That said petition be referred to the commit-be built within the United States, and the property of a tee of the whole house on the state of the union. On the 18th April "a petition of the mechanics and manufacturers of the city of New York, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the house and read-setting forth, in the present deplorable state of trade and manufactures, they look with confidence to the operations of the new government for a restoration of hoth, and that relief which they have so long and auxiously desired: that they have subjoined a list of articles as can be manufactured in the state of New York, and humbly pray the countenance of the national legislature thereto." Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee of the whole house on the state of the union On the 21st April-the house, according to the stand ing order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole house on the state of the union, Mr. Page, (a member from Virginia), took the chair. Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Page reported that the com citizen or citizens thereof. Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in pursuant to the said resolution. These were the opinions of the first congress on the constitutional powers of congress, and of the best policy to secure to the people the blessings of a free and protecting government. It is worthy of remark that many of the members of this congress were champions of the federal constitution, either in the general or state conventions. Among them we see Mr. Madison, former presi dent of the U. States, than whom there was not a more enlightened and active advocate of the constitution, and asserter and supporter of the rights of his fellow men; and the proceedings above noticed resulted in the passage of the act of 1789, which has the following preamble, and is conclusive as to the sense of that congress in respect to constitutional power: "Whereas is is necessary for the support of government, for the discharge of the debts of the United States, We have since received the following additional notices and extracts from col. Little amounts to 294, and the number of many duals dependen on them to 1,040. This resuit was laid before our foraˆ government who immediately forwarded it to wie. Milicce the distributer of the American supplies at roros, Mr. Miller immediately sent 150 barrels of India meal under charge of the brave veteran Mr. G. Jarvis, who placed them, on Friday last, in our public magazin s where the distribution has commenced to the individu s named in the catalogue. The flour being of the weight of 928 ocks, each individual will receive $ ocks or 23] French pounds. have poured out the blood for the sacred cause of liberIllustrious widows, and precious relics of those who The second session of the 1st congress, commenced! you deserve to be the cherished children of your on the 4th of Jan. 1790-president Washington, in his country-you are so: but your country, unfortunate herspeech delivered to both houses, on the 8th, said, "the ad- have it in her power, as soon as she shall possess a self, cannot relieve your sufferings. She will one day vancement of agriculture, commerce and manufactures, settled government, able to introduce order into the by all proper means, will not, I trust, need recommen-administration, and the finances of the state. Then you dation." The answer of the house of representatives to the mean time, do not blush at receiving the aid sent you by will be recompensed for so many sufferings; but, in the foregoing, on the 12th Jan. says, "We concur with you in the friends of liberty in another hemisphere. Express the sentiment, that agriculture, commerce and manufac-your gratitude in public, and let your prayers arise, that tures, are entitled to legislative protection." honorable for its constitutional principles, all the blessDivine Providence may pour upon their country, already ings they can desire. On the 15th January, Mr. Baldwin reported that the committee had, according to order, the state of the union under consideration, and had come to a resolution thereupon, which he delivered in at the clerk's table, when the same was read and is as followeth: “Resolved, that it is the opinion of the committee, that the several matters recommended by the president of the United States, in his speech to both houses of congress, relating to the provision for the national defence; to the promotion, for essential, particularly for military supplies; to the compensation to the persons employed in the intercourse between the United States and foreign nations; to the establishment of a uniform rule of naturalization; to the establishment of a uniformity in the currency, weights and measures; to the advancement of agriculture, commerce and manufactures of the United States; to the encouragement of useful inventions; to the establishment of post offices and post roads; and to the promotion of sciences and literature, ought, severally, to be referred to select committees, to be appointed by the house, to prepare and bring in a bill or bills, viding for each particular purpose." Amongst other things, it was then orderedThat it be referred to the secretary of the treasury to prepare and report to this house, a proper plan or plans, conformably to the recommendation of the president of the United States, in his speech to both houses of congress, for the encouragement and promotion of such manufactures as will tend to render the United States independent of other nations, for essential, particularly for military supplies--out of which grew Mr. Hamilton's celebrated report, made to the house of representatives the 5th December, 1791, so often published. AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES—AND COMMERCE. Many people have thought, and still believe, that the interests of these three great branches of the national industry, if not opposed in numerous cases, oftentimes clash with one another. We never have entertained such an opinion; and as to the latter, its very existence rests upon the success of the former; and the inevitable tendency of an increased internal trade, coasting or otherwise, is to invigorate and increase foreign commerce. Conclusive arguments on this subject are abundant, they are to be found in the progress or history of every country; but, on the present occasion, we chiefly intend to state a few broad propositions, and directly apply them to the particular things on which we are about to offer some zemarks. "We hold this truth to be self-evident," that when reci pro-procity in trade between nations shall end, that retrytion must begin. That, if one country is best fitted for the supply of bread and another of clothing-the one chase of it, without manifest disadvantage and a surencannot purchase of the other, unless that other will purder of no small part of that independence which should exist between different people possessed of the same sovereign right to guard their own prosperity. That there is no such thing among civilized nations as that which is cantly and craftily called "freedom of trade"-all having more or less restrictive laws; and if they had not, the na ture of the climate, state of society, or diversity of gotent of these restrictions would depend on the value of vernment, would naturally establish them; and the exhuman life, or cost of subsistence, in different countrics: thus, if a man in France may live more plentifully for 5 cents per day than one in England for 10 cents, they cannot exchange the products of their daily labor, unless the Englishman consents to work all day against the Frenchman's half day-which it is not to be presumed that he will do, if he can avoid it, even by an appeal to arms. This is "John Bull's" notion of things, and a good notion: it is. The number of members from the eleven states who met in the first session of the congress, was fifty-nine; in the second session, North Carolina adopted the constitution, and added five; and afterwards, Rhode Island 1, which made up the nuraber 65. AMERICAN BENEFICENCE TO THE GREEKS. Translated for the New York Daily Advertiser from the Hydra paper, "L'Abeille Grecque." Hydra, Oct. 10th, 1827. We have before mentioned that we were employed here in forming a list of persons who have been killed in battle, or disabled by wounds, that their families might partake of the provisions sent out by the humanity of the Americans. *(Note) Mr. G. Jarvis, an American Philhellene, more commonly known in Greece by the name of "Zervos," (the name of one of the first families of Suliots), The curates were appointed to draw up a particular came to Greece in the first year of the revolution. A list of the number of respectable poor individuals in their young man, and master of several languages, in a very parishes; and such lists have been sent, in the absence of short time he was able to read and speak modern Greek; the bishop, to the episcopal council, which is compos- which, united with his natural affability, early procured ed of his deputy, an arch priest, an almoner, an archiv-for him great popularity among the Greeks. He has been ist and a garde-robe, who are the principal secular priests in constant service by land and sea; repeatedly sick of our clergy. The episcopal council, by the recapitu- and wounded, and among all the privations and sufferings lation of those lists, have formed a general catalogue, so common to the Philhellenes in Greece, he has risen which shows that the number of killed and wounded, by merit, after long services, to the grade of Antistratege whose families are reduced, (for the enumeration does among our guerillas, whose costume he has adopted, and not include such persons as left property at their death,) to whose habits he has perfectly accustomed himself We also accord decidedly in this, that every nationed, be sufficiently extensive to encourage the growth should produce and manufacture all that it is capable of of flax, in desirable quantity and quality? At present, the doing, for its own supply-with less regard to a present duty upon linens is 25 per cent. which is only equal to nominal money value of articles, than the future establish the bounty paid by the British government on the export ment of reduced prices, through the success of domestic of them-so that, in reality, they are received duty free, competition. And thus, in hundreds of familiar cases, unless the British laws have lately been altered.** Flax various descriptions of merchandise which were wholly im- is exclusively used in the manufacture of sail duck at ported, have become articles for export; and, by the pro- Paterson, and, in 1827, all used thereat was imported.† fits gained in this change of business, other commodities, We submit it then, for further information, whether an needful, convenient or luxurious, are imported in greater increase duty on hemp and flax, without a corresponding quantities; the desire to possess always keeping pace with increased of duty on the manufactures of these articles, the means of possessing, to satisfy the wants or gratify can render any permanent good to growers or consumers? the wishes of individuals. We think not. To us it is entirely manifest, that it With these remarks we shall proceed to take some must be injurious to advance the duty upon a raw mategeneral views of the new tariff bill reported by the com-rial, without also increasing that upon the articles made mittee on manufactures, rather for the purpose of sug-out of it: that it will invariably tend to lessen the home gesting certain things to the consideration of our readers, market, and throw it open for the reception of foreign than to offer arguments upon them. We shall throw goods, thus at once rooting up both our agriculture and wool and woollens into the last item, for the more conve-manufactures. We believe that this is an undeniable nient continuation of our suggestions, should it be neces-proposition, and many examples might be adduced to shew sary to urge them hereafter. It is then asserted, that the relations between pro1. Iran and certain of its manufactures. There is ducers and consumers cannot be dissolved, without more nothing as to either of these to which we have an objec-or less jujury, or ruin, to one or the other of the parties, tion, though increased duties, we apprehend, are not de- or both. In some parts of our country, and on certain sired on some of the articles named. But, because of occasions, we have heard, that cattle and hogs have been the abundant supply of iron ore and mighty means for permitted to ravage fields of standing corn at their own manufacturing it, the inevitable effect will be to reduce will, or been allowed unrestrained access to stacks of the price of iron and of the articles enumerated, for the wheat, to do as they pleased-the labor of gathering or benefit of CONSUMERS; and steadiness in the market may preparing the grain for market being of more value than compensate the iron-makers and manufacturers for re- the commodity itself when prepared. Now a duty of duced profits, through the force of the domestic competi- ten dollars per bushel on corn or of twenty upon wheat, tion. And, besides, those of whom we purchase iron would not profit the farmer one cent, or at all interfere and its manufactures, receive comparatively nothing of to check the waste of his grain; but let a brisk market be our produce or manufactures in exchange for theirs; and opened for horses, cattle and swine, or build up a manuthe exclusion of such foreign articles will increase ern facturing hamlet in his neighborhood, and this prodigality ployment and add to the wealth of our country. will end at once. His corn will be gathered and his wheat threshed, and the luxuriance of his fields be no longvests, and be encouraged to improve his farm and increase er disregarded. He will feel grateful for abundant har it. his crops. Mr. Baldwin's bill in 1820, proposed a duty on hemp dage, and 5 upon untarred, with some increase on other of 50 dollars per ton-4 cents per pound on tarred cormanufactures of hemp. Mr. Tod's bill of 1824, proposed a duty of two cents per lb. or $44 80 per ton, on hemp, 4 and 5 cents per lb. on cordage, as above, 6 cents per square yard on cotton bagging, with a handsome adhemp-all the parts corresponding; but in the progress of vance on the duty on sail duck, and manufactures of the bill, hemp was reduced to 35 dollars per ton, cotton bagging to 33 cents per square yard, and that on sail duck brought down to 15 per cent ad val. but the 4 and 5 cents were allowed on cordage, as proposed. Mr. Clarke, of the house of representatives, states to the committee, his firm belief that "neither the growers or manufacturers of hemp are receiving a fair compensation for their labor and capital employed." Will then, an increased duty on hemp, without an increased duty on its manufactures, do good to any one? In resolving this question it should be which manufacture only, it is intended to protect. recollected, that flax is used in the factories of sail cloth, 2. Hemp. We ought to make this article at home, but do not, either in sufficient quantity or of suitable quality. The present price of the best Russia hemp is about 285 dollars per ton; of dew rotted American 156 to 140,* and of water rotted American 170 to 190. The last is noninal, for we find it is not quoted in any price current except that of Baltimore, and there is not, nor lately has been, one pound of it for sale in this city. The navy commissioners and others, assure us that American hemp, rightly managed, is as good as the Russian; but we see that the one sells for more than twice as much as the other. It may then be asked-will the advance of duty, (comparatively small when put down against the actual dfference in price), 35 dollars a ton to 60, increase the quantity or improve the quality of American hemp? If yea-we most heartily approve; if nay, we respectfully object. For if our people will not, or conveniently cannot, properly handle their hemp and water-rot it, the ship owners will use the Russian, and the advance to them will not have any countervailing benefit to be derived from a present or future home-supply. If the machine lately invented for breaking and dressing it, with out being rotted at all, shall accomplish its purposes on reasonable terms, and be rendered accessible to growe.s of hemp-this objection will not hold good, and we should be willing to go for a higher duty; especially as Rus-ticle from 5 to 10 cents per gallon, for the avowed purMolasses. It is proposed to raise the duty on this arsia buys little or nothing of us, and that in, time of war, pose of encouraging the distillation of spirits from dohemp is an article of great importance to the national de-mestic grain. We think that the purpose would fail, and fence. But, if the rise of duty shall increase the prie that the facts which belong to this subject are but little of American hemp, as we think that it would for the understood. We do not pretend to understand them fulpresent, might not the effect be to destroy the manufac-ly, but shall offer some remarks, that others better qualitures of cotton bagging, and materially interfere with fied may follow them up with such statements as the nat.cse of cordage? The same query occurs in respect to ture of the case will admit of, some of which might be flax. We certainly should cultivate the last in sufficient officially obtained at the custom houses, &c. quantities and of the best quality-but will this increase of duty bring it about? If yea-well; but if nay, will not all manufactures of flax decline, except that of sail duck? and will that branch of business alone, important as it is, and much as we wish to see it permanently establish The price of hemp in Kentucky has, for two years, had an average value of only 100 dollars per ton; and yet the manufacturers of cotton bagging and cordage do not appear to have received a fair compensation for their labor. See Minutes of the evidence before the committee, page 132. United States may be put down at 17 millions of gallons The quantity of molasses annually consumed in the to wit, 13 of foreign product, and 4 supplied by Louisiana and the sugar refineries—and both of the latter are about to be greatly increased; the Louisiana by the insequence of some late improvements, by which coarse or creased production of sugar, and by the refineries in conindifferent sugars may be used as well as those of good Harrisburg Convention, page 56. Minutes of evidence, *See Mr. Baldwin's speech of 1820-or address of the page 155. of Europe, Asia and Africa? And for what? Aye, for what? Let the committee answer to the mechanics! But we shall suffer this to pass, and further examine the etfect of an increased duty. quality, hitherto only selected-and a practical gentle- And we have $385,950, for the whole foreign cost of man tells us that the quantity of "sugar house molasses" the article; all else of its value when in the United States, may be increased from 5 to 10 fold, by the new pro- or converted here into spirits, is as much an American cesses. And we see that 7,706 hhds and 1,216 bbls. of value as a quantity of grain raised within our limits could molasses, say 800,000 gallons, were exported from New be, and no one can deny it. It is brought hither in AmeOrleans to the Atlantic states only, between the 6th No- rican vessels, built by American shipwrights, navigated vember and 28th January last past; but there is no ac-by American seamen, and all subsisted by American count giveu of the quantity sent up the river, to supply farmers. And further, it should not be forgotten, that the numerous population seated near its banks, and those our trade with Cuba, from whence the chief part of the of its tributaries, from Pittsburg and its neighborhood, molasses imported, is received-takes from us a greater on the Ohio, north east, to Franklin, on the Missouri, value of the products of our forests, fields, workshops north west, grasping an immense region of country, and and fisheries, except in the three articles of cotton, tocontaining one fourth of all the people of the U. States. bacco and rice, than all Europe receives, even including The committee furnish no precise information of the the idol country, Great Britain! Is not this something quantity of molasses distilled-We gather however, from for the people north of "Mason & Dixon's line" to look the Minutes, [146 and 147] that it costs from 5 to 12 at--seeing that they are nearly two thirds of the citizens cents per gallon in the West Indies; is worth from 28 to of the United States? The aimount stands thus-to Cu32 cents in New York: that a gallon of good molasses ba, $3,292,000-to all Europe, $3,239,000, except as will make a gallon of spirits worth from 35 to 40 cents above excepted, or 1826. Why, the candles, soap, leaand that the freight and charges, in bringing molasses to ther, boots and shoes, sent to that island, more than pay N. York from the W. Indies, is about 20 cents per gallon. for all the molasses used in the distilleries; the hats, The committee, in the absence of facts, suggest that 5 saddlery, wearing apparel, combs, brushes, and other or 6 millions of gallons of molasses are used in the distil- small articles, also amount to a greater sum. Are the leries, because that of the 13 millions imported, 11 are mechanics, who make these things, to lose this market received at places east of New York. This is a very im--a market better to them than the whole united markets perfect way of judging; for of the 800,000 gals. above stated as exported from New Orleans, only about one-tenth part passed east of New-York; for the ports to which it war sent are given in the price current; and we know that large quantities are scattered all along the coast south of the Delaware, by the numerous small craft that ply from the eastern states, with "assorted cargoes," seeking a market, and for the general purposes of trade. We have some reason to believe, (and have as much faith in our belief as in that of the committee,) though we do not pretend to advance it as a fact, that the quantity of molasses, at present distilled in the United States, does not exceed 3,000,000 gallons.* The testimony shews us that this distillation is rapidly declining, because of the greater cheapness of whiskey, and the preferences of the people for that liquor. Besides, whiskey, now, to a very large amount, forms the basis of what is called “new rum," New England rum, and molasses is only use to give it that flavor with which some persons are pleased.proportion of the whole spirits produced-then, for (See Minutes of Evidence, page 147-the testimony of what? We state the question, let the people answer it! Mr. Johnson, of the house of representatives from the And who will pay this tax? The laboring freemen, and city of New York; and we also knew the fact stated by the poor, the very poorest classes of society; not the kings him long ago, on the information of others.) The ques- of tobacco worms, nor "lords of spinning jennies”—but tion then presents itself-will a check to the use of mo- the poor, the "hod-carriers" and musket bearers of the lasses in distillation, increase or decrease the general nation-many whose chief coarse luxury it is to give a use of whiskey, considering the new appropriations of relish to their meals! with an extension of its influence that article in the manufacture of rum? We think that to the halt and the blind, the aged and the infirm, in our the affirmative is not more clear than the negative; but poor houses, who would be stinted of this little miserable do not possess information to decide. We regard these enjoyment now liberally dealt out to them-grateful and things as mere commodities, and without respect to the healthy. We appeal to practical facts, as well as actimoral or salutary effects of either. This is certain how-eal persons. We have before us the report of the trusever, and worthy of much consideration, that there has tees of the poor for Baltimore city and county for the been, and is, a greatly increased export of whiskey east-last year. The monthly average of persons in the almsward, of late years, from Baltimore, &c. It has kept house was 365 2-3; aud, among the supplies, were 15502 pace with the growing demand for flour from the middle gallons of molasses-being more than four gallons for states, which is now equal to more than 800,000 bbls., or each individual, or 20 cents per head more of cost to the as much as we export to all foreign countries! We think institution, should the tax be levied, and molasses be it best to "let very well alone." In grasping at shadows, used as freely as heretofore. But it would not-the men often lose the substance. We care very little about quantity allowed to the wretched inmates would be rethis item, unless because that its principle and operation|duced as the price advanced--and again we ask, for what? should be understood. But let us look at this matter in its most important points of view. Admit that 3,000,000 gallons of molasses are used in the distilleries; this, on the testimony of Mr. Johnson, (member of congress,) costs from 5 to 12 cents in the West Indies-say 9 cents for the average, or - $270,000 Export duties, port charges, &c.t 115,950 $385,950 Among other reasons, the use of whiskey in making rum, as stated below; a gallon of whiskey being worth less than a gallon of molasses, it must follow that the maker of rum will use no more molasses in distillation than is necessary to give that particular flavor to whiskey, spoken of by Mr. Johnson, who has himself been a distiller. +3,000,000 gallons is 30,000 hhds. The vessels employed in the transportation of this article will average To prevent the use of $385,950, expended in a foreign country for molasses n the supply of 3,000,000 gallons for the distilleries, (and if the quantity be six millions it will not at all change the character of the transaction, and any one may call it three or six as he pleases,) it is suggested, that we shall tax the people of the United States, oa the remaining 14 millions of gallons, 5 cents extra per gallon, or in the sum of $700,000 a year, and for what? Not for revenue, for the public treasury does not need it-not for the protection of the Louisiana planters, for, protected as they are, they think not of asking it-not for the grain-growers and makers of whiskey, for they would never feel any benefit from it, the quantity of liquor really distilled from molasses being but a small But further and we go for the whole system, though merchants and ship-owners have not often gone with us this transportation of 3,000,000 gallons of molasses, makes up 300 cargoes, and steadily employs 100 vessels, (at three voyages a year), and 700 men, and variously subsists ship carpenters, blacksmiths, &c. able bodied, hale and hearty freemen, perhaps in all 1,200 men, and cargoes of about 100 hhds., and require 7 or 8, (say 7,) persors to navigate them, &c. The export duty, (at Havana,) on a hhd. of molasses, is 62 cents-30,000 bhds. Port charges and other foreign expenses, $18,750 90,000 7,200 $115,950 |