2d Session.

GODFROY AND BEAUGRAND.

JANUARY 12, 1831.

Mr. McINTIRE, from the Committee of Claims, made the following

REPORT:

The Committee of Claims, to which was referred the petition of Gabriel Godfroy and Jean Bap. Beaugrand, report:

That the petitioners were the owners of four buildings, namely, a dwelling-house, barn, stable, and store-house, at Frenchtown, on the river Raisin, in the Territory of Michigan, which were destroyed by the British and Indians on the 23d January, 1813, at the time of the massacre of their prisoners there. By the evidence filed in the cases of Gabriel Godfroy, Jean Bap. Couture, Jean Bap. Jerome, and others, whose buildings were burnt at the same time, and since paid for by the United States, it appears the petitioners' buildings were burnt under the same circumstances, and for the same reasons should be paid for. Reference is here made to the case of Jean Bap. Couture, the report of whose case was made January 19, 1829, and is recorded in vol. 7, page 56, of the reports made by this committee; which report is made part of this report.

The buildings of the petitioners are numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4, on the map filed in the case of Gabriel Godfroy. No. 4, a dwelling house, has been paid for, by an award under the act of March 3, 1825; the evidence relative to the others was then deemed insufficient to bring them under the provisions

of that act.

The evidence of the value of the other three buildings, filed in this case, makes the stable, No. 2, worth $20, the barn, No. 1, $800, and the store, No. 3, one witness at $800, and the other at $1,000. On a former occasion, the estimated value of these buildings was different. The stable is one of three mentioned formerly, and the only one on the map, and probably the only one occupied by our troops. All three together were valued at $300, but it does not appear what was the value of each. The barn was

valued in 1825, by one witness, at $700, and at $500 by two witnesses, one of which appears to be the same that now values it at $800. The storehouse was then estimated at $800 by one witness, and at $500 by two others, one of whom, Joseph Roberts, now estimates it at $800. Laurent Durocher testifies that he, as agent of the petitioners, built the barn, and that it cost full $800, and was nearly new; and that he was acquainted with the cost of erecting the store-house, which was built in 1811, and had one part prepared for a bake-house, and estimates the value at $1,000. The committee, after maturely considering the evidence, estimate the value of all three of the buildings at $1,020; and being of opinion that the petitioners are entitled to relief, report a bill for that sum.

2d Session.

TARIFF AND MANUFACTURES.

JANUARY 13, 1831.

Read, and laid upon the table.

Mr. MALLARY, from the Committee on Manufactures, to which the subject had been referred, made the following

REPORT:

The Committee on Manufactures, to whom was referred so much of the President's message "as relates to the tariff of duties on imports, and so much thereof as respects manufactures," report:

That they have taken this delicate subject into full consideration. This was due alike to the source from whence a review was recommended, and to the importance of the subject itself. They feel confident that they have done it without mingling with the operation of their reasoning powers unreasonable "likes and dislikes," either to the system of protecting domestic industry, or to the views expressed by the Chief Magistrate.

It is not the intention of the committee to present to the House a mass of statistics or labored arguments, in favor of the protecting system. In the recent discussions of the tariff, all that could illustrate theory, or be proved by experience in our own and other countries, has been presented. Our Government has adopted, and endeavored to sustain, by repeated legislative enactments, a policy which has had the sanction of Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. It has been sanctioned by the continued acquiescence of the States, and the general understanding of the people. Confidence in its permanent duration is warmly inspired. It is this, aloue, which can give it vigorous and successful action. A system of protection may appear perfect on our statute books, and yet be useless to the country, if exposed to perpetual danger. Skill, already matured, will not venture upon uncertainty. The power of invention will never be exerted, if it has no confidence in the promise and repeated promise of support. Capital will never come to the aid of skill and enterprise, if it has no security for invest

It must have confidence; it must find solid honesty in individuals; as well as firmness in Government, or it will not be employed.

During the last session of Congress, the declaration was often repeated, that the system of protection should and would be maintained. It was presunied to have come from the people, and dictated by them to their representatives. This was expressed by the most decisive majorities in Congress, on repeated occasions.

Its effects, so far as they have been developed, have answered the hopes of its most ardent friends. Capital flows widely and freely through our extended country. The genius of our people has been stimulated to greater and more diversified exertion. The useful arts are improving in every form that stern necessity or elegant taste may desire.

The committee most cheerfully concur with the President in the animated view which he has taken of the condition of our country. They adopt his language in describing that condition. ،، With a population unparalleled in its increase, and possessing a character which combines the hardihood of enterprise with the considerateness of wisdom, we see in every section of our happy country a steady improvement in the means of social intercourse, and correspondent effects upon the genius and laws of our extended republic." This is the language of truth and justice. It forms a subject of high and deep congratulation to every patriot mind. While other nations are suffering under oppressive burthens, or convulsed with bloody revolutions, we witness among ourselves, in general, a calm and confident repose. We see, over all portions of our broad country, prosperity and happiness most evenly and equally diffused.

Such is the prospect before us. It is the offspring of our fortunate government, and the wise policy which has been adopted, of cultivating our own resources by the skill, and industry, and enterprise of our own people. In considering that imperfection must be stamped on the highest and best of human institutions, it is a matter of surprise that "the apparent exceptions to the harmony of the prospect" are so few. They seem to arise rather from the exercise of fervid imagination, than from evils which really exist. It cannot, however, be expected that any code of laws, or any form of government, can dispense precisely the same benefits to every individual under their influence, wherever he may reside, and whatever may be his genius or pursuits. Nature, herself, has failed to do this. But, when we see a great nation moving on with stately steps, unimpeded, to the height of happiness, opulence, and grandeur-when every portion, however minute, partakes amply of general prosperity-it would seem that the apparent exceptions to the harmony of the prospect" might be permitted to melt down in warm felicitations that the " prospect of our whole country is so nobly gratifying. It is to this wide and comprehensive prospect that we may safely look for substantial reasons to preserve that union, which, it is "most devoutly hoped, may prove imperishable."

The committee are much gratified to have the opinion of the President clearly and fully expressed, that the tariff for protecting domestic industry is constitutional. They think it proper to quote language so clear and unequivocal. He says, that the power to impose duties on imports originally belonged to the several States. The right to adjust those duties with a view to the encouragement of domestic branches of industry, is so completely incidental to that power, that it is difficult to suppose the existence of one without the other. The States have delegated their whole authority over imposts to the General Government, without limitation or restriction, saving the very inconsiderable reservation relating to their inspection laws. This authority having thus entirely passed from the States, the right to exercise it for the purpose of protection does not exist in them; and, consequently, if it be not possessed by the General Government, it must be ex

tinct.