ropean nations would, during the present year, pour in upon us a flood of goods, at reduced prices, and, if necessary, at a great pecuniary sacrifice, to crush our infant establishments; and thus obtain complete control over both our consumers and planters. They urged, further, that, at this period of general peace in Europe, every nation would become the carrier of its own articles of production and consumption; and that a large portion of our accustomed commerce must necessarily perish, and the means of discharging the enormous balance in favor of England would soon be exhausted by a total drain of specie from the country, already at a premium of fifteen per cent. Commerce, agriculture, and manufactures, had become intimately connected, and, if duly and proportionably encouraged, would mutually assist and support each other. The internal and coasting trade, and the communication between. the different and remote sections of the country would be substituted for an inconsiderable and injurious branch of foreign commerce, harmonizing their conflicting and jarring interests, and strengthening the bonds of mutual dependence. The manufacturers residing in and near Providence, to show the extent and importance of the cotton manufacture in the United States, stated, that, within a circle of thirty miles from that city, there were not less than one hundred and forty manufactories, containing, in actual operation, more than 130,000 spindles, and capable of holding a much larger number, few of them having yet received their full complement of machinery. About 29,000 bales of cotton were spun in them annually, which, when manufactured into cloth of different descriptions, produced 27,840,000 yards; the weaving of which, at the average of eight cents, amounted to $2,227,200; and the value of the cloth exceeded $6,000,000. The number of persons employed in the manufacture was about 26,000. This estimate did not include the numerous classes of persons indirectly connected with the manufacture, and dependent thereon, such as those employed in furnishing the various kinds of machinery, in supplying the people with provisions and other necessaries, in transporting goods to and from the manufactories, together with those engaged in the coasting trade, in bringing the raw material and other commodities required for the use of the establishments, and in conveying the manufactures to market. The sugar planters of Louisiana also petitioned Congress for encouragement. Before the acquisition of Louisiana, vast sums of money had been lost to the United States in the purchase of sugar, rum and molasses, made in the East and West Indies, from whence alone those commodities were obtained. In time of war, supplies from thence were precarious; and the consumer could obtain those necessaries, if at all, only at extravagant rates. While enjoying the natural advantages for supplying the wants of the other States of the Union, they needed the fostering aid of the General Government. On the 13th of February, 1816, Mr. Newton, of Virginia, from the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, to whom the memorials and petitions of the manufacturers of cotton wool had been referred, submitted to the House a report, from which we give a few extracts: Prior to the years 1806 and 1807, establishments for manufacturing cotton wool had not been attempted, but in a few instances, and on a limited scale. Their rise and progress were attributable to embarrassments to which commerce was subjected. While commerce flourished, the trade carried on with the continent of Europe, with the East Indies, and with the colonies of Spain and France, enriched our enterprising merchants; the benefits of which were sensibly felt by the agriculturists. When external commerce was suspended, the capitalists became solicitous to give activity to their capital. A portion of it was directed to the improvement of agriculture, and a considerable portion was employed in erecting establishments for manufacturing cotton wool. The Committee give a few facts showing the rapid progress made in the business, and the ability to carry it on with success, should a just and liberal policy regard it as an object deserving encouragement: In the year 1800, there were manufactured in the manufac turing establishments, 500 bales of cotton; in 1805, 1,000; in 1810, 10,000; and in 1815, 90,000. The capital employed in the manufacture was..$40,000,000 Males employed from the age of 17 and upwards....10,000 Women and female children... ...66,000 ..24,000 Boys under 17 years of age.. amounting to.... ..lbs. 27,000,000 Number of yards of cotton of various kinds.....81,000,000 Cost per yard, averaging 30 cents.... $24,000,000 The rise and progress of such establishments can excite no wonder. The inducements to industry, in a free Government, are numerous and inviting. Effects are always in unison with their causes. The inducements consist in the certainty and security which every citizen enjoys, of exercising exclusive dominion over the creations of his genius and the products of his labor; in procuring from his native soil, at all times, with facility, the raw materials that are required; and in the liberal encouragement that will be accorded by agriculturists to those who, by their labor, keep up a constant and increasing demand for the produce of agriculture. Every State will participate in those advantages; the resources of each will be explored, opened, and enlarged. Different sections of the Union will strike into that line of industry which is best adapted to their interest and the good of the whole ; an active and a free intercourse, facilitated by roads and canals, will ensue; prejudices generated by distance, and the want of inducements to approach each other and reciprocate benefits, will be removed; information will be extended; the Union will acquire strength and solidity; and the Constitution of the United States, and that of each State, will be regarded as fountains from which flow numerous streams of public and private prosperity. The States that are most disposed to manufactures as regular occupations, will draw from the agricultural States all the raw materials which they want; and no small portion, also, of the necessaries of life; while the latter will, in addition to the benefits which they at present enjoy, always command, in peace or in war, at moderate prices, every species of manufacture that their wants may require. Should they be inclined to manufacture for themselves, they can do so with success, because they have all the means in their power to erect manufacturing establishments at pleasure. Our wants being supplied by our ingenuity and industry, expor tation of specie to pay for foreign manufactures will cease. The proposed change of policy will be to the advantage of the United States. The precious metals will be attracted to them, the diffusion of which, in a regular and uniform current through the great arteries and veins of the body politic, will give to each member health and vigor. In proportion as the commerce of the United States depends on agriculture and manufactures as a common basis, will it increase, and become independent of those revolutions and fluctuations which the ambition and jealousy of foreign Governments are too apt to produce. Our navigation will be quickened, and, supported as it will be by internal re sources never before at the command of any nation, will advance to the extent of those resources. one. Of the advantages of labor-saving machinery, the Committee say: The United States require the use of this power, because they do not abound in population. The diminution of manual labor by means of machinery in cotton manufacture in Great Britain was, in the year 1810, two hundred to Our manufacturers have already availed themselves of this power, and have profited by it. A little more experience in making machines and in managing them with skill, will enable our manufacturers to supply more fabrics than are necessary for the home demand. Competition will make the prices low; and the extension of the manufactories will produce that competition. And as the operation of labor-saving machines requires few men, there need be no apprehensions that agriculture will be in danger of having its efficient laborers withdrawn from its service. On the contrary, the manufactories increasing the demand for raw materials, will give to agriculture new life and expansion. The prospects of an enlarged commerce, say the Committee, are not flattering. Every nation, in times of peace, will supply its own wants from its own resources, or from those of other nations. When supplies are drawn from foreign countries, the intercourse which will ensue will furnish employment to the navigation only of the countries connected by their reciprocal wants. The Committee, from the consideration they had given to the subject, were convinced that manufacturing establishments of cotton wool were of real utility to the agricultural interest, and contributed much to the prosperity of the Union ; and they recommended an increase of duties on cotton goods imported. On the 13th of February, 1816, the day on which the committee of Commerce and Manufactures made their report, the Secretary of the Treasury, [A. J. Dallas,] in obedience to a resolution of the House of the 23d of February, 1815, reported a general tariff of duties proper to be imposed upon imported goods, wares, and merchandise." The report comprehended I. A view of the tariff and its incidents upon the Peace Establishment Under this division of the report, the Secretary alluded to the act of Congress of July 1, 1812, imposing the double duties upon imported goods, with the addition of 10 per cent. to those dut es if the goods were imported in foreign vessels, and the additional tunnage duty of $150 a tun on foreign vessels; which act was about to expire; also to several other acts materially affecting the revenue. II. A statement of the general principles for reforming the tariff, including the means of enforcing it. The tariff which Le had reviewed, the Secretary said, originated in 1790, soon after the Federal Government was organized. Notwithstanding its various alterations during the long period of American neutrality, it had not been left in a state adapted to the present epoch. The peace of Europe would give a new course and character to the commerce of the world. The condition of the United States was essentially changed in population, in wealth, in the employment of labor and capital, in the demand of luxuries or of necessaries for consumption, and in the native resources to supply the demand. These considerations recommended the measure of revision and reform which were now contemplated. The three great objects to be regarded in the establish ment of a general tariff, were, 1st. The object of raising, by duties on imports and tunnage, the proportion of public revenue which must be drawn from that source. 2d. The object of conciliating the various national interests arising from the pursuits of agriculture, manufactures, trade, and navigation. 3d. The object of rendering the collection of the duties convenient, equal, and certain. In discussing the first of these objects, the Secretary, adopting the estimate of the Committee of Ways and Means, states the annual revenue to be raised for the service of the Government, in round numbers, at $24,000,000. As it was contemplated to abolish the duties on furniture and watches, domestic manufactures, and distilled spirits, and essentially to diminish the direct taxes, all of which had become necessary during the war, it would be necessary to raise by duties on imports about $17,000,000, which was about the sum required to meet the annual demands of the Peace Establishment ; leaving about $7,000,000 to be annually raised by internal duties and taxes, and from the sales of public lands, for the payment of the public debt. In relation to the second of these objects, the Secretary says: The interests of agriculture require a free and constant access to a market for its staples, and a ready supply of all the articles of use and consumption on reasonable terms: but the national interest may require the establishment of domestic in preference to a foreign market, and the employment of a |