by, the internal trade. The statistical tables from Though the point of these remarks applies less to the treasury department, in which are collected all our own country, than to any other that ever was the items, great and small, of the foreign trade, ex-governed by a king, because of the early spread of hibit large amounts, and we see and understand knowledge and diffusion of correct ideas of the them; but were such tables published of the home rights of man-still, to a certain extent, it is applitrade, the aggregate would exceed five hundred, in-cable, though fifty-one years have passed since the stead of the fifty millions of dollars. Few persons have declaration of independence; for some feel as though ever thought upon this subject, much less ventured they were not wholly relieved of allegiance to the to calculate it. And yet it is every man's concern- king of Great Britain. The body is emancipated by a business that belongs to the heart and home of all a single struggle, but generations appear necessary persons. On the White mountains of New Hamp-to emancipate the mind. Witness the slow progress shire we find the sugar of Louisiana, and in the which a practical understanding of the republican plains beyond the Mississippi the cotton cloths of system makes in the new governments of the south. Rhode Island are domesticated-the products of the Indeed, it may be said of ourselves, that we had bowels of the land in Pennsylvania and Virginia, not formed a national character anterior to the late supply the workshops or give fuel to the furnaces war. and factories of New York-wool from Ohio finds a Chatham, the illustrious Chatham, the great friend market at Boston-lead from Missouri and Illinois of political rights, had no idea of permitting a feelseeks all our cities, and the cotton of South Caroli- ing of independence to grow up in this country-no na is met with every where. All these, working to-willingness that our fathers should ascertain their gether, constitute the prosperity and power of the own strength: and for these reasons it was, that United States; and we carnestly recommend our "America should not be allowed to manufacture a readers to the article on "internal trade" in the ap- hob-nail," with his approbation. By this severe and pendix. There is much in it that will surprise the selfish policy, he intended to keep us hitched to the most of them, as we ourselves confess that we have car of England's king. This was the grand princibeen, in considering the facts collected. ple on which the "mother country" acted. The goThe diversity of opinion that we have entertained vernors and judges, and soldiers and clergy, and all since the expediency of protecting manufactures others sent hither in the pay or under the patronage was first broadly broached, soon after the conclu- of the king, were instructed to encourage us in hewsion of the late war with Great Britain-introduceding wood and cultivating the earth, and in sending by the wrongs and violences of the government of all our raw products "home"-and to discourage that country, and rendered necessary by our own the establishment of workshops, or the manufacture wants displayed during the continuance of the con- of any thing which could be supplied by importatest by embargo, non-intercourse, and finally, by tions. One can hardly believe to what an extent arms, had its original formation at a distant period. the aristocracy of that day carried the British poliPersons do not shake off the prejudices of education cy. It is less than twenty years since, that the last and the force of habit, with a change of the form of of the race died in Maryland, a foolish old man, their government-with the transfer of allegiance who yet continued to ship his tobacco to a factor in from one power to that of another. These have dura- England, as before the revolution, and to receive from tion long after the political ties are sundered by which thence supplies of the most trifling articles for his those prejudices or habits were formed. In all old family use-such as tea, sugar, coffee, pepper, mus governments, some certain set of notions prevail in tard, and all farming utensils and articles of clothecclesiastical as well as civil affairs, which become ing, packed up and forwarded as they had been at constitutional, and acquire the force of determinate the period of the first settlements in the state. And principles, the right of them being hardly question- the force of this policy may well be esteemed, when ed. Nothing else than some great act of oppression it induced such a man as Thomas Jefferson, who had can bring them into doubt, and reformation of abu- passed through all the trials of the revolutionary ses proceeds slowly. Europe has been deluged with war, and witnessed the sufferings of his brethren for blood, and the rivers of Asia choaked with carcases the want of such supplies as domestic manufactures of the slain, because of religious opinions-and secu- would have furnished, to give an opinion, in 1785, that lar revolutions have proceeded to the extent of our "workshops should be kept in Europe." But afwholly changing the principles of governments-butter that, he frequently recommended the establishstill the nations remained: the dog returned to his ment of them at home; and, in 1816, when the nevomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wal-cessity of protecting them began to be examined, he lowing in the mire"-revolution failing to produce wrote his famous letter to Benjamin Austin, the whole reformation. Hence it is, that great communities of of which is inserted in the appendix--saying, that men, enlightened and deeply thinking on many sub-he who now was "against domestic manufactures, must jects, adopt others, the policy of their governments, be for reducing us to a DEPENDENCE on that [any foeither in religion or politics, as things not to be ent- reign,] nation, or be clothed in skins, and to live like quired into. Thus in many parts of Germany, and wild beasts in dens and caverns"-adding, "I am prond even in Switzerland, the birth place of Tell and to say that I am not one of these."

theatre of his glory, men are hired for soldiers with But had foreign nations, and especially Great Brithe same requisitions and under the same circum-tain and France, continued to treat us with tolerable stances, that Mexican mountaineers hire mules for decency in the reception of our products and a libethe bearing of burthens, and without greater dis-ral exchange of commodities, extending to us also cretion in the first than there remains to the last; ex- the courtesies that belonged to us as an independent cept that the former assault and murder those who nation-it is very possible that Mr. Jefferson, and never wronged them or their country, at the com- tens of thousands of others friendly to the protecmand of a master, and the latter are merely taxed tion of domestic industry, would have retained their animals, contributing in proportion to their natural old opinions all the days of their lives. But his trength-each being equally machines. And, though opinions were changed by causes like those which at times, as in Spain, not long ago, liberal ideas had brought about the American revolution; and remay seem to prevail-yet the people of that country newed acts of oppression and violence assured him regretted the absent despotism of absolute monar- that the work was incomplete, unless "the manufac chy, and sighed for a restoration of the "holy inqui-turer, being placed by the side of the agriculturist, might sition." Such is prejudice the force of habit, and wrest the weapon of distress from the foreign hand which. power of ereation,

had so long wantonly wielded it."

There was another cause which had a powerful in lands depreciated not less than 60 or 70 per cent. effect to prevent the establishment of manufactures, and lead the judgment of the people captive. That was our eager desire after commerce and navigation, and the full employment and fair profits on labor that they afforded, because of certain peculiar, but temporary, circumstances under which we were placed.

We inherited from England a love of them, and, because they furnished a nursery for seamen" to man her fleets, she did not much discourage us in them. And we had hardly become settled down under a regular government, before the French revolution broke out, and opened a way for the fullest gratification of our desires to be merchants and navigators. In the disordered state of things which followed that awful and mighty event, our ports became places of deposit for the supply of many nations, and our ships the carriers of all sorts of commodities to them. Our exports rose from 19 millions in 1791, to 67 millions in 1796, and reached the enormous amount of 108 millions in 1807. In the first six years of our government we exported about as large an average amount of staple articles as in the last six years, cotton excepted-which was unimportant in the earliest period, and, indeed, of no great value until the year 1798. [See the large table of exports in the appendix.]

ARTICLES EXPORTED.

Tobacco-hhds.

1791, 101,272 1792, 112,428

Rice-tierces.
99,980

Four-bbls.

619,681

824,464

141,762

1793, 59,947

1,074,639

134,611

1794, 76,826

846,010

116,486

637,369

1795, 61,050 138,526 1796, 69,018 725,194 131,039

480,541 4,777,357 1821, 66,958 1,056,119

762,454 88,221 827,865 87,089 756,702 101,365

bils.

90,552

and one wide calamity was spread over all the states north of the Potomac and Ohio. Partial relief came by the meagre and reluctant tariff of 1824, and the home market measurably supplied the want of a foreign one; and it was hoped that the principle of protection had been fully acknowledged. But the law of 1824, being defective in several essential particulars, has been counteracted by the policy, ingenuity and frauds of foreigners, assisted by our auctions and credits allowed on the payment of duties; the 30 per cent. intended for the protection of the woollen manufactures, hardly operates as more than 10 per cent. upon the real foreign value of such articles imported "to order;" and this extensive interest, for a year or two past, has been, and, now is, standing on the verge of destruction. Sheep are hardly worth the rearing, and cloths have been sold for less than their stock cost the American makers of them.

But, out of the triumphant success which has attended some branches of manufacture, great good has arisen, not only on account of profits gained to the country, but in changes of public opinion; the body of the merchants being now satisfied that manufactures increase instead of diminish foreign commerce; adding much to our tonnage, and swelling the amount of our exports! The dreams of speculators, too, as to their effect on the public revenue, have not been realized-for that also has inBeef & Pork creased, and, as we believe, because of the tarifffor persons will purchase, more freely of the luxu112,736 ries or comforts of life as their means are extended; 113,669 and a manufacturing village of five hundred indivi150,30 duals, consumes more taxed articles than an agri184,342 cultural population of two thousand. The east may 166,402 now be said to have joined the middle and west in opinion-but the south still holds back. The neces817,009 sity of shaking off old prejudices has not yet appeared to the people of this part of the United States, 133,474 and the continued reception of their cotton abroad, 165,962 with the consumption of their sugar at home, (the 116,947 foreign being virtually excluded, so far as the home 133,303 supply extends,) places them out of those difficul173,734 ties which their brethren of the grain-growing 161,880 states encounter; and they do not appreciate the importance of the home market as they ought. There is a trite saying, that "seeing is believing, but feeling is the naked truth." We would that they should believe without feeling! But the tobacco of Virgi But after 1807, because of the British orders in nia pays a duty of 66 cents per pound in Great Bricouncil and French decrees, these nations being tain, and the probability is that, even of this great jealous of our prosperity, or resolved to make us staple of that state, less is consumed in that country take a part in their quarrel, our commercial pros- than is used at home. Unfortunately however, while perity was arrested by the embargo and other re- foreign commerce is so much attended to, we have strictive measures-and the exports, which amount to grope about, each one for himself, to ascertain ed to 108 millions in that year, were valued at only the many times more deeply interesting things which 22 millions in 1808, foreign and domestic articles belong to the home trade. The time will come when included. They reached 61 millions in 1811, and the planters shall feel as the farmers do feel; when then came the war of 1812-but in 1817 and 1818, they will find no more favor in British eyes than the the British ports being open to our flour, and the ex-growers of wheat. And, if the use of their cotton port of cotton being heavy, they rose to 181 millions was prohibited in a foreign country, would the peofor these two years; and the next two following, the ple of South Carolina be willing to receive and conBritish ports being shut, they fell to 140 millions-sume the cotton goods manufactured in that country? 21 millions of the diminution being in the value of Can they purchase of those who will not buy any vegetable food only.

1822, 82,169

1923, 99,009

thing of them? Bread is as much a material that enters During the restrictive measures of 180S, and fol- into the value of manufactures as cotton? Baltilowing years, the idea of extending manufactures be- more exports nearly 200,000 barrels of flour annugan to prevail; the war of 1812, shewed the neces- ally to the states east of the Hudson, with large sity of them, and much capital was vested in certain quantities of Indian corn, whiskey, &c. the whole establishments. Peace followed early in 1815, com- greater in value than her domestic exports to all fomerce revived and the farmers, as well as the plant-reign places; and there is no doubt that Virginia sends ers, flourished again; vast quantities of rival manu- to Baltimore and places further north and east, a factures were imported, and our factories fretted much greater value in coal, flour, tobacco, &c. than out a weary life for a little while, and then many is that of her exports to all the rest of the world. To were stopped and their owners ruined. Soon after Great Britain, the whole, or very nearly the whole this, the British ports were shut, and capital vested of her products exported for consumption, is 14,000

hhds. of tobacco* valued at $1,160,000, according to the Should we indulge ourselves in bringing up the past treasury tables of the last year. It is nothing to the cot-prophecies of alarmists, to compare them with the results ton planters that nearly one fourth of their whole crop has its market at home.† with one half of their rice, the whole of their sugar, and three fourths of the naval stores and lumber of North Carolina? Will any one believe that the domestic demand for cotton has no effect on the price, seeing that its manufactures go into the foreign exports of our country-and that cotton yarn and coarse cotton goods are cheaper in the United States than in England? Is competition "the soul of trade,"fects upon the public morals, public virtue or public specially denied its effect on this solitary article? No no; were all the cotton mills of this country suddenly destroyed by fire, the price of cotton would be at least one cent less per lb. than its present low rate, and muslins, now selling for 124 cents, would advance to 25 cents. Let the skilful in figures calculate the effect of this reduction on the whole quantity of cotton produced in the south. It will amount to three millions a year or twice the sum which is paid for revenue, (we cannot say protection, for it is not), on all the woollen goods imported, for which protection, in reality, is asked. On reference to the appendix, these things will fully appear.

calculated by the deeply-thinking men on the other side, how would the fantastic images of fancy stand beside the substantialities of truth! But we wish not to offend to make any appear ridiculous. This, however, we shall say-that the prophecies of the enemies of the system have entirely failed, whilst the calculations of its friends have been more than realized. The progress of manufactures in the United States cannot have bad ef revenue-upon private conduct, private happiness, or private profit, so long as our political institutions remain as they are, so long as land is plenty and labor in demand; so long as taxation, tythes and poor rates shall not send the worthy and industrious supperless to bed. And to calculate results here by results in Great Britain, is precisely as absurd as it would be to measure the energies and efforts of a free people by those of a nation of slaves. We do not mean to regard the British as personal slaves; but that they are politically so, because of the burthens imposed upon them, and which they must pay, we think will not be disputed-and taxes are collected and tythes gathered at the point of the sword. When such is the state of things with us, and every promen.ductive adult male is required to pay $100 a year for the support of government, then may manufacturers be*Except some cotton for a year or two past. It is come the degraded things which they are in England: probable that the flour and coal sent to Baltimore, New but, if Colquhoun is to be relied upon, even these are York and Boston, and other ports, may produce a greater more virtuous and better provided for than the agriculvalue to Virginia than all her domestic products exported turalists, both crimes and paupers being far less numerous to foreign places! An extensive and intelligent dealer in in the manufacturing than in the agricultural counties.* coal at Baltimore, calculates the supply of this place, from Virginia, at 600,000 bushels; and, as it costs about 18 cents per bushel at Richmond, the value is $1,080,000. We have no information on the probable amount received at N. Y. and ports further east-but suppose it must amount to a great deal more than is consumed at Baltimore.

What injury hath attached itself to the progress and prosperity of manufactures? We mean in practice, not in theory, being the representatives of practical

The British official returns of 1825, shew the consumption of only 14,510,551 lbs. of tobacco, equal to 12,000 hlids. of 1,200 lbs. each-but perhaps, for evasions of the duty, 14,000 hhds, may be allowed. On the 12,000 hhds. which costs in our country less than 1,000,000 dollars, the British raised a revenne of 9,570,000 dollars! -the duty being 66 cents per lb.

The latest general statement of the importation of cotton into Great Britain that we can lay our hands upon at the present moment, is one made out last year, shewing the business of the six preceding years. The whole imports of 1825 were 820,929 bales, as follows: United States

Brazils

East Indies

Egypt

West Indies, &c.

423,248

193,942

60,484

111,023

32,232

820,929

What harm hath the much abused tariff of 1824 rendered to any of the people of the United States? Has one barrel of flour, one bushel of corn, one gallon of whiskey, one pound of tobacco or rice, one piece of timber, or aught else that we have for export, not been exported because of it-one pound less of ecttont required of the planters, or one less of sugar consumed? Has our tonnage declined, or our seamen been less employed? Has the price of any article been enhanced to the consumer, because of the additional duty laid by the tarift for the purposes of protection? We say no to all these sweeping questions, and to each of the parts of the first, and demand a reason why clamorous denunciations of the tariff should be indulged as they are. But it is in vain that we invite our opponents to meet us with their facts. The grievances talked about are not reducible to demonstration by figures, and the most of what we have heard upon the subject, except in the language of melancholy prophecy, may be understood by this doggrel→ I do not like thee, Dr. Fell, "The reason why I cannot tell; "But this I know, and that full well,

"I do not like thee, Dr. Fell.”

The people of our country are not prepared to accept the like of this in place of argument. Prejudices will In 1822 not a single bale of Egyptian cotton was re-give way; and the spirit of party having exhausted itself, ceived in Great Britain, and in 1823, only 2,558 bales-in our fellow-citizens will demand some reason for suel 1825, 111,023 bales. This cotton ranks with that of dislikes. They will not be so unjust as to hate what is New Orleans as to quality and price, or, indeed, is rather not shewn to harm them. It is not in the American charac better. The East India ranges at from 1 to 2d.ter to hate without reason; it is better fitted to love withcheaper than common uplands, and is almost exclusively out cause, being generous and disposed to judge favora used for the manufacture of such coarse goods as are bly of men and things. manufactur! at our own mills; and directly interferes On the other hand, the benefits of the protecting syswith our product to the whole amount used in Great tem which we proclaim, being substantial, seek the seBritain, especially when American cotton bears a liberal verest scrutiny and perpetually gather strength by inprice; AND THEN ITS IMPORTATION IS GREATLY INCREAS-vestigation. Try it, prove it, test it as you please-its But for the protection afforded, a large quantity of the cotton cloths consumed in the United States would be of British manufactures of their own East India cotton! Actual sales at Liverpool, during the week ending Aug. 25, 1827, were-Boweds 5 7-8d. to 74-Surat and Bengal 4d. to 43.

ED.

The criminal offences charged are as 40 to 100, and number of paupers as 1 to 2, in favor of the manufacturing districts.

fIt is a fact worthy of high consideration indeed, and which should not escape the observation of any one, that our own manufacture of cotton is chiefly added to the

The stock of cotton in all the British ports, was esti-general use of our own production-because that a mated as follows, at the latest accounts from Liverpool:

American

bales 278,020

large part of such coarse goods as we make are made in England out of the inferior material of the East Indies. Some years ago, when American cotton was high, the writer of this saw a large quantity of East India eotton in one of our manufactories, and was informed that the duty of three cents per pound could be advantageous ly paid upon it, when American cotton was, as he thinks, 18 or 20 cents per lb., [Repeated, to be remembered. 1

1

scattered, wealth is acquired slowly because of the slug gish circulation of money, schools are few and far be tween, social intercourse is difficult and information not easily obtained-internal improvements are not made, unless partially, because of the want of condensed power in men and money to make them, these being dissipated by spreading over a wide surface; and perhaps the most of all is this disadvantage, that a few are very rich and the many very poor-some well informed persons, and numerous adults, male and female, who cannot read and write. We ask those who have knowledge in these matters and are willing to speak of them, whether or not these things are so. A purely agricultural region of country, cannot abound in a wholesome, happy and numerous popula tion; but when joined to and aided by other pursuits, agriculturalists are, perhaps, at once the best and the happiest of all classes of society-"the peculiar deposit for substantial and genuine virtue."

advantages only are shewn; and like fine gold, the acids neither diminish or disfigure them. And, while we set forth the thousand benefits of protection to commerce and navigation and manufactures, and of agriculture through them, we ask one case, a tangible case, one that we can grapple with, from our opponents, of a generally disadvantageous description, to be arrayed against the benefits which we extol. Let them assume the affirmative of the questions that we have just asked! If there is any one, they have easy access to it-the statistics concerning foreign commerce being abundant and in the hands of every man. Let us see the oppression of the "monopolies," that they speak of so fluently. Let them bring forward their cases of "extortion," and confirm their oft told tale about the "picking of the pockets of the many for the benefit of the few." Can these things be, and nobody know them? Shall facts so important to be ascertained, rest alone on declamation? Shall such imposing national interests be combatted only with blind prejudice or honest mistake, the madness of party or the want of reflection? We offer numerous facts to the people, and earnestly invite the most rigid examination of them. We shew practical results from past transactions-they offer chiefly wild and frightful visions of the future. The people are called upon to hew down the good tree and lose its fruits, though yet only in the vigor of its growth, because an "evil eye" hath been cast upon it by some foreign magician and dealer in old clothes.it has caused greatly increased supplies of mineral May we prefer the dogmas of those who have studied man and philosophy in the closet, to the experience of others who have mixed with society and examined him for themselves? A herd of these closet-philosophers is less valuable than he who shall cause two blades of grass to grow where only one was formerly produced.

The protection of domestic industry has not only built up the commerce and navigation of the United States, but continues to increase boil-it adds to the public revenue, by furnishing the means of purchasing taxed commodities-it has reduced the cost of articles, by exciting the domestic competition-it has probably added 50 per cent. to the internal and coasting trade within the last five years-it has opened new markets for flour, and grain, equal to the whole foreign export of these articles

substances and of coal-it has countervailed, in part, the restrictions and prohibitions of Europe, and will place us on an equality with all nations in matters of trade it persevered in and extended-in short, it has subsisted a large part of the people of the United States, given employment to millions on millions of active capital, and' become indispensable to the well being of the republic. Without its aids, we should be poor and miserable as the Portuguese, whose work shops are in their ally, Great Britain. It is incorporated with all that we enjoy in the comforts of private life or possess in national reputation or power. These are broad, but, we think not, bold assertions--and capable of fullest demonstration and undeniable proof.

With these general remarks, imperfeet and brief when compared with the solid foundations or vast range of the subjects referred to, we shall proceed to mention some of the points of the protecting system and encouragement of manufactures, the triple-sisters of internal improvement and natural allies of the greater interests of agriculture,-confidently appealing to the various statements and facts offered in the appendix for ample support of all that we shall say; only soliciting a disposition But, having already extended this address to a greater In the reader to seek for truth, believing that he will cer-length than was desirable, we shall make a general retainly find it. ference to the appendix for the support of the momentous facts asserted, and to maintain many other collateral and very important matters submitted in vindication of our principles, and to demonstrate the expediency and necessity of urging the entire establishment of them, for the common benefit of all the people of all these United States, as capacity is shewn to sustain the protecting system by domestic competition.

The combined operations of agriculture and manufactures have invariably caused an increase of population in every nation and state, or part of a nation or state, using commerce as the handmaid of both. And, as population is the origin of national power and wealth, it should be the first consideration of a statesman, unless the extent of country is small and the people already everflowing. By these operations knowledge is extended, the comforts The primary object of the meeting at Harrisburg was of life increased, and moral, as well as natural strength, to consider the present state of the growers and manuadvanced. On the other hand, when a country is purely facturers of wool, and some remarks on this subject agricultural, and especially if possessed by planters, the may be particularly expected from us: and having, population must be sparse, and the want of concentra- as we hope and believe, sustained the principle and tion materially obstructs the progress of knowledge, and explained the policy of protection, and denied the possiacquisition of physical and moral power The first ble existence of monopoly when competition is not forabounds with small freeholds, begetting a spirit of inde- bidden by natural causes, such as soil and climate-this pendence and exalting the character of man, as lord of part of our duty will be the more easily accomplished, the soil. Habits of industry and frugality are encou- and we shall proceed immediately to it, after introducraged, because the profits of them are immediately felting to our readers the following strong and appropriate by large numbers of the people in their own persons. extract from a report made to the senate of Pennsylvania Early marriages take place in consequence, for large fa- on the 14th of February, 1817: milies are rather desired than feared. Education is of "Man and all his works are helpless in infancy. The easy access to all, for school-houses abound, and chil-noblest then require the protection and nourishment of dren become profitable at an early age-idleness, the pa- a parent. Seeing establishments in their greatness, we rent vice, being disreputable. As wealth accumulates, roads and bridges and canals are projected and constructed, and new factories established, for capital is plentiful-and one new business begets another in geometrical proportion, causing a general reduction in the price of commodities, through increased perfection in the arts of producing them. All these things necessarily take place in lightly taxed and liberally governed nations, being agricultural, manufacturing and commercial. But in the reverse, the population must be thinly

*Before the tariff of 1824, a large part of the negro cloths imported from England were made out of old clothes, torn into tatters by machinery, and reduced again to something like wool!

are apt to forget the humble beginning from which they have risen; but when traced to their origin, it will be found that in every enlightened government they have been its nurslings in their infancy. In such governments, manufactures have been the favorite and almost peculiar objects of their protection; the history of all the manufacturing nations is full of proofs, that whenever a manufacture is in its infancy, it is protected by duties, bounties, and premiums on the article; privileges, protection and encouragement, to the artisan; until the manufacture has progressed so as to supply the wants of the county. Then the exportation of the raw material, the importation of the manufactured article, the emigration of the workmen, and the communication of the knowledge of the art, are prohibited under severe penalties, in some

The report concluded with the following resolution: "Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in general assembly met, that our senators in congress be instructed and our members in the house of representatives requested, to use their endeavors to have such measures adopted, as will effectually protect and encourage the manufactures of the United States."

Had the object of this resolution been accomplished in 1817, we might now have exported 15 or 20 millions of dollars in manufactures, instead of six millions annually, -the fee of Pennsylvania, under her practically wise policy, would have been worth 100 millions of dollars more than it is, and her population would have increased in hundreds of thousands, however rapid as it has been, compared with that of several of the old states.

cases extending to the forfeiture of life. The history of, individuals were suddenly cast from an abundance of all none of these nations can furnish an instance of a manu- the comforts of life into stinted allowances of the most facture being left to take care of itself, or of its success common food-that worthy men were hired as daily làwhen unaided by government. The committee can dis-borers on the lands which they had owned? We should cern no good reason why this nation should not follow like to look such a man in the face, if one there is, that in the path which has been lighted by the experience of we might avoid him as a person infested with the plague, others, and more especially where our own teaches us for a liberal intercourse with that man would be the the immense advantage flowing from manufactures to contamination of all just feelings and a sign of the dethe places where they have been established." parture of all good principles! Would we not have called the farmers fools-arrant fools, in 1817, if they had sold their flour for five dollars a barrel, (which it appears that they can make it for) when they could just as easily obtain fourteen? Indeed, we should suppose that persons acting thus had, by some calamity, been deprived of the use of their reason! And the cotton planters and others are so situated. Cotton is now made by less than ten cents per pound, it was even lately sold at almost thirty cents per pound; but who was stupid enough to prefer a grave charge of "extortion" against the cotton planters? There was not one man so silly to be found in all the country!-nor one who abused the tobacco planters for receiving $185 per hogshead in 1816! How then is it that some have made a law to regulate the prices and profits on woollen goods, and are willing to leave flour, cotton, every thing else, to the natural effects of supply and demand? We will suggest the reason why-it is caused by our old prejudices, fanned by the agents of British manufacturers and merchants, and was kept in flame by a horde of domestic venders of British tapes and bobbins, some of whom openly rejoiced at the defeats and disasters that we met with in the last war, that it might terminate, and they again have British goods to sell.* THEIR BUSINESS WAS WITH GREAT BRITAIN AND SO WERE THEIR HEARTS. These men had much influence on society by their intercourse with all classes of people-and when, charged with demanding exorbitant profits for themselves, were always ready to throw the odium of it upon the domestic manufacturers. The writer of this address well recollects a person seeking cloth for a coat-a piece of British goods was shewn to him, and 15 dollars a yard demanded for it, which was pronounced too high. "Yes, said the shopkeeper, it is very high-but we cannot help it-see, here is a piece of American cloth not nearly so good, for which we are compelled to ask the same price

The low condition of the woollen manufactures in this country at the commencement of the late contest at arms with Great Britain, was shewn by the humiliating request preferred by the secretary of war to congress, that existing laws might be repealed so far as to allow the importation of six thousand blankets for the Indian department! We believed then, and believe so still, that this suggestion was made that blankets might be obtained from Great Britain for the preservation of our soldiers, when raised and marched to attack the British colony of Canada! But the law was not repealed; and it will not be regarded as a wild speculation to express an opinion, that we lost more men by the want of woollen clothing and other supplies, during the war, than by battle and all other fair exposures to danger that attended the military life. We might dwell long upon this distressing and disgraceful fact-(we call it disgraceful, for a wise policy would have prevented its occurrence), and relate instances of suffering which happened on the Niagara frontier, that, even at this day, would chill the blood of every friend of his country and of man; but we present it, simple and unadorned, to the sober reflection of the people, that they may determine whether they will permit the like terrible waste of human life, and cruel dissipation of the means of our country to support is dear-bought independence, even to happen again.

The wants of the nation and of individuals, caused the establishment of some woollen manufactories, and an extended business in the few which had existed previous to that time; but they could supply only a small part of the general demand: and something very much like smuggling, if it did not approach towards treason, was rather countenanced than condemned, that a trade might be kept up with an enemy employed in the conflagration of our villages on the maratime frontier, and who had introduced the tomahawk of the savage into civilized warfare on our northern and western borders.

And here, perhaps, an opportunity is best presented to speak of a rude, indiscriminating and vulgar prejudice which had its origin at this period-the alleged extortion of the manufactures, such as that they demanded 12 or 14 dollars for a yard of cloth which they could have afforded to make for 6 or 7; and these same illiberal or thoughtless persons felt something like pleasure in the ruin of the manufacturers which followed the close of the war, because of this alleged "extortion." Admit, for the sake of the argument, that the facts proclaimed were true, and what then? Who charged the farmers with extortion when flour was at 13 or 14 dollars per barrel, and whiskey at 65 or 70 cents per gallon, in 1817? Who is wicked enough to rejoice that flour has since fallen to less than 5 dollars, when delivered at our sea-ports, and whiskey been sold at no more than 20 or 22 cents? Who was so base as to be delighted when farms that cost from 100 to 150 dollars per acre, were knocked down by hundreds under the sheriff's hammer, at from 20 to 30 dollars per acre, and tens of thousands of valuable

but take which you please; our profits on either are very small." In thousands of cases, American goods were sold as British, that a wise public might pay an additional price for them; and, as they were equally as valuable, that operation was not reproved. We know a manufacturing establishment whose proprietor obtained an understanding with a merchant, (strongly suspected of receiving supplies of British goods clandestinely,) for the sale of his own American woollens, and large quantities of his cloths, put up after the manner of the British, were sold as such without being questioned-at two or three dollars a yard higher than parts of the same parcels of goods brought when frankly sold for what they were! The merchant kept his secret-but the fact was, that most of the cloths which he sold us being British, were really American! So much for publie judgment and public clamor about "extortion. +

*It is due to truth to say, that this class of persons was chiefly confined to the cities, and has almost disappeared. They realize as much profit in selling American as British goods; so that some stand neutral, and a majority are now on the side of their country, as many always were, under all changes of circumstances and times, and losses and privations suffered.

+Until lately, numerous articles of American manufacture have been sold as if they were British, and some, perhaps, yet are. We might name several of them, but shall not. The deception, if it be one, injures not our country or countrymen, nor wrongs foreigners, the artieles being as valuable as their own, and as rightfully entitled to public consumption. The British are returning this compliment by counterfeiting our cottons for the South American market; but as yet have not been successful, because of the manifest superiority and reduced price of our fabricks. They cannot compete with us in that or any other branch of industry which we fully "take hold" of.