MEMORIAL OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN. NOVEMBER 27, 1820. Read, and referred to the Committee on Commerce. WASHINGTON: PRINTED BY GALES & SEATON. MEMORIAL. TO THE HONORABLE THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED: -. The Memorial of the Chamber of Commerce of the city of New Haven, in the state of Connecticut, Respectfully Sheweth, That they view with concern the systematic attempts of a considerable portion of their fellow-citizens to induce Congress to adopt a tariff of duties inconsistent, as they believe, with the interest and prosperity of the United States. Without going into the many considerations which belong to the subject, they will only present to your attention the points which they' deem most important. The establishment and growth of manufactures, in this country, to an extent warranted by its condition, and without the aid of bounties, must be viewed with pride and pleasure, as evidential of industry and wealth. Such manufactures, while they are suited to the circumstances and character of the country, will, by the enterprize and skill of our citizens, be extended as far as the public interest requires, without any other aid from the government than is now afforded to them. If the contemplated tariff of duties were proposed as a means of providing revenue; and, on examination, it should appear calculated to effect this object, without throwing an unequal burthen on one part of the community, it would be liable to no objection. Such, however, it is believed, is not the object; and such, certainly, will not be the result. On the contrary, it will operate as a tax on one part of the people, for the sole benefit of another part; and, as such, is opposed to the principles of our constitution, and to sound policy. The increase of duties on those articles imported from abroad, which are now manufactured at home, will be the same as a bounty to the amount of such increase, given out of the Treasury to the manufacturers; and thus, all the other classes of the people are taxed in favor of the manufacturers. Nor can your memorialists believe that the independence of the nation will be injuriously affected by foreign trade. Its capacity to maintain that independence is to be found in its strength, valor, and wisdom; and those will sustain it in a free commerce with the world; while, without them, its independence would contribute neither to its prosperity nor glory. National industry is, doubtless, an object of the first importance. It is not easily seen how that is promoted by high bounties on domestic manufactures. Great capitalists will indeed be benefitted; and it is equally certain that personal industry, and the owners of small capitals, will be injured. The agriculturist, in the event of the adoption of the proposed tariff, must give more for what he buys, and receive less for what he sells. To him, therefore, it must prove injurious. To the navy the nation looks as its most natural and efficient defence. The commerce of the United States with foreign nations is the only adequate nursery of seamen for the supply of the navy. In this view of the subject, the proposed system of augmented duties must be inexpedient, as its effect will be to diminish foreign commerce, and of course to lessen the navigation of the country. In the opinion of your memorialists, the less government interferes with private pursuits, and individual exertion and enterprize, the better. Men will very naturally resort, if left to themselves, to those employments which most promote their interest; and when the individuals of any nation are pursuing a course advantageous to themselves, their prosperity and happiness are commonly promoted; and with them the prosperity of the country. Experience shews the folly of too much governmental regulation. Your memorialists would only add, that, in their opinion, any considerable augmentation of the duties will promote smuggling. It is a subject of honest pride, that, hitherto, this practice, so injurious to morals, has been seen and felt so little in this nation; and it is surely unwise to adopt any measure which might favor it. That the proposed tariff is a measure of that character, is believed. The tariff of 1816 was established after much deliberation. It was then satisfactory to the manufacturers. It ought to be so now. With such duties, your memorialists believe our manufactures will grow and extend, as far as the interests of the people, and the prosperity of the nation, require. These considerations are respectfully submitted to the wisdom of Congress, and your memorialists, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &c. ISAAC TOMLINSON, President of the Chamber of Commerce, New Haven. TIMOTHY DWIGHT, Secretary. |