USA > Kentucky > Jefferson County > Louisville > Haldeman's picture of Louisville, directory and business advertiser, for 1844-1845 > Part 11
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It will not be denied that our country can produce the raw material ; and in the present advanced state of the arts, our artisans and manufac- turers are abundantly capable of supplying the people of the United States, with nearly, if not all, of the articles imported from Great Bri- tain.
OPERATIONS OF THE BRITISH TARIFF.
To show the operation of the British tariff on the articles the growth, produce, and manufacture of the United States, we have, with much care and labor prepared, from the late British tariff, the preceding table [A.] containing all the essential staple productions of this country, in a list of forty-seven articles, all of which are, either among our exports, or could be exported in large quantities, if the same were encouraged by a course of equal trade. Also, the price current of each of these arti- cles in the New York market ; the rate of duty payable on the same by the former British tariff, and by the same lately revised, and now in operation in Great Britain. The table also shows the discriminating duty in favor of the British Colonies, where there is any such discrimi- nation.
The result of an accurate average of the rates of duty, by the for- mer British tariff, on these articles, is 359 per cent. on the value in this market ; and by the new British tariff, now in operation, the average is 289 per cent. The difference between this average rate of duty and the actual rates of duties collected on our exports as shown by table B., is explained by the fact that the higher rates of duties are prohibi- ory ; thus excluding many articles ; and cotton, on which the duty is only 73 per cent., forms nine-tenths of the amount of our exports to Great Britain, thus necessarily reducing the average. On thirty-three of these articles, being all on which a discrimination is made in favor of the British Colonies, the average duty, when imported from the United States, is 166 per cent. ; and on the same, when imported from the British Colonies into Great Britain, 64 per cent. ; making a differ- ence in favor of the Colonies of 102 per cent. on these articles. The high duties on manufactured articles, shown in the table A., marks the protective policy of their duties -- being low on raw materials and arti- cles they do not produce ; and so high as to be prohibitory in favor of their own labor and productions.
135
OPERATION OF THE AMERICAN TARIFF.
In contrast with the above duties and regulations affecting our ex- ports to Great Britain, we have ascertained the average rate of duty on articles imported into the United States from Great Britain, according to the present tariff act, passed August 30, 1842. This act has no sli- ding scale-no prohibitions-no second column of duties at lower rates, and a discrimination of nearly two-thirds in favor of Colonies-no five per cent. addition, &c., &c.
A careful examination of the rate of duties payable on the different articles of British manufacture, forming the bulk of our imports from Great Britain and Ireland, results in an average rate of duty of 32 per cent. ; as is shown by table C., annexed. This ratio may be somewhat reduced by the actual operation of the tariff on articles paying specific duties, which are subject to variations, from difference of prices and qualities.
To show which nation has practiced the system of free-trade, it is on- ly necessary to mention that, while Great Britain admits no article, ex- cept specie, from the United States free of duty, we have by our former tariff regulations received, duty free, many British manufactures. In 1840, the amount of articles imported into the United States from Great Britain, free of duty, exclusive of specie, was 89,875,496 ; of which value more than seven millions of dollars were the manufactures of the United Kingdom. Our total exports to them, the same year, ex- clusive of cotton and tobacco, amounted only to $3,874,351; on which the British Government levied a duty of 44 6-10 per cent.
THE BRITISH TARIFF SO HIGH AS TO EXCLUDE AMERICAN PRODUCTS.
The British tariff affixes so high a duty on many articles of American growth and produce, as to operate in excluding them from the list of our exports to Great Britain and Ireland. The table marked B., shows the total amount of our exports to Great Britain and Ireland for three years, with the amount of duties paid thereon, averaging 50} per cent., notwithstanding about nine-tenths of the total of exports consisted of cotton, which being indispensable to Great Britain, for the supply of her extensive manufactories, and the employment of a large propor- tion of her population, is admitted at a low rate of duty. Omit cotton, and the duty on all other articles is 330 per cent. Under the prohibi- tion imposed on American produce, it will be observed that our annual average exports to Great Britain, exclusive of cotton and tobacco, amount to $3,875,351.
It is worthy of remark, that on the two great staples of cotton and tobacco, which she receives from the United States, Great Britain lev- ies an amount of duties much exceeding the total amount of customs collected on all articles imported into the United States from all for- eign countries ; and also exceeding the total annual expenditure of our
136
Government. Thus, the receipts into the United States' Treasury, from customs, for the years 1838, 1839, and 1840, were $52,796,227, while in the same years, the British Government collected on cotton and tobacco, from the United States, duties to the enormous amount of $73,638,828.
ENGLAND FOSTERS AND PROTECTS HER COMMERCE.
Without entering into a discussion of the question of the balance of trade, we deem it important to notice the operation of the system pur- sued by the British Government, in fostering industry and trade, on their own commerce, compared with the policy of the United States. The total value of exports and imports of Great Britain and Ireland, for three successive years, was as follows :
Year.
Exports.
1839,
£110,198,716
£62,004,000
1841,
116,903,668
64,377,962
£343,582,061 193,814,926
£193,814,926
Balance in favor of { Great Britain, £149,767,136
Or an annual average of £49,822,378, equal to $237,227,414. It is her commercial policy, producing these yearly balances of two hun- dred and thirty-seven millions of dollars in her favor, which sustains her currency, enables her to do as she wishes, to spend as she pleases, to endure our defalcations, and, from her surplus, she is ready to lend us, and permit us to increase our indebtedness a few millions more. " Money to let," is the fortune of those, only, who so manage their business, as to have yearly balances in their favor.
In contrast, the amount of imports into the United States, from foreign countries, for the nine years from 1831 to 1839, inclusive, ex- ceeded the total amount of exports therefrom, by the sum of $235,- 278,605, as shown by the following statement :
Year.
Imports.
Exports.
1832,
101,029,266
87,176,913
1834
126,521,332
104,336,973
1836,
180,980,034
128,663,040
1838,
113,717,404
108,486,616
Total
$1,195,534,562 960,255,957
$960,255,957
Bal. against the U. S., $235,278,605
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It is not deemed necessary, to search farther than a knowledge of these facts, to account for the loss of currency ; for the large amount of indebtedness by State's corporations, and individuals of the United States, to the capitalists of Great Britain ; nor, beyond this, to seek for a principal cause for the insolvency and ruin of our banks and other corporations, as well as of individuals ; the depreciation in the value of property ; the decline of trade; and ending in the modern doctrine of repudiation,
HOW THE BRITISH NATION REGARDS THE DOCTRINE OF FREE TRADE.
In confirmation of the preceding view of the results of the policy of the British Government, we deem it appropriate to submit the following quotation from a British commercial writer :
" To take the right way of judging of the increase or decrease of the riches of the nation, by the trade we drive with foreigners, is to examine whether we receive money from them, or send them ours; for, if we export more goods than we receive, it is most certain that we shall have a balance brought to us in gold and silver, and the mint will be at work to coin that gold and silver. But if we import more than we export, then it is as certain that the balance must be paid by gold and silver sent to them to discharge that debt. A nation may gain vast riches by trade and commerce ; or, for want of a due regard and atten- tion, be drained of them. I am afraid the present commerce of ours, carries out more riches than it brings home. Whereas, formerly great quantities of bullion were brought into this country by the balance of trade, and coined into money. The tables are turned; and as fast as we import bullion, it is sent away to pay our debts. So many places endeavor to keep out our manufactures, and still continue to export their linen, hemp, flax, iron, potash, timber, &c., to us, which draws a very great treasure, annually, out of this Kingdom. We send our mo- ney to foreign nations, and by employing their poor instead of our own, enable them to thrust us out of our foreign trade; and, by imposing high duties on our manufactures, so to clog the importation of them, that it amounts to a prohibition."
The above quoted remarks are taken from a book, entitled " The Trade and Navigation of Great Britain Considered," showing "That the surest way for a nation to increase in riches, is to prevent the im- portation of such foreign commodities as may be raised at home; that this kingdom is capable of raising, within itself and its colonies, mate- rials for employing all our poor in those manufactures which we now import from such of our neighbors who refuse the admission of our ·own. By Joshua Gee."
This work, written more than one hundred years ago, purports to have been prepared at the request of "persons of distinction," and not designed for publication, but printed, as the author says, " to put a few of them into the hands of some of the Ministers of State, and other great men."
M 2
1831,
$103,191,124
$81,310,583
1833,
108,118,311
90,140,433
1835,
140,895,742
121,693,577
1837,
140,989,217
117,419,376
1839,
163,092,132
121,028,476
Imports.
1840,
116,479,679
67,432,964
138
It should be remarked, that at the date of this book, an active rivalry in commerce existed between England and Holland. "The balance of trade," the author remarks, " makes Holland the centre of exchange to all Europe ; the merchants and shop keepers are everywhere their debtors; and money is brought them from almost all countries."
ENGLISH AUTHORS WRITE FREE TRADE DOCTRINES FOR OTHER NATIONS.
The past condition of Holland and the present condition of England, could not be more fully described than in these extracts. England made the sentiments of this book the principal of her commercial policy, and pursues it with undeviating perseverance. Where now is Holland, and to what eminence has England arrived ? It is a subject of curious remark, that, while such has been and now is, the policy steadily pursued by the British Government, her writers on political economy, from Adam Smith down to those of the present time, have advocated and maintained an opposite system, for adoption and use by other nations.
Mr. Gee's treatise appears to have been prepared, "with the special approbation of the King," as a guide for British statesmen in the then condition of things. May not the works of modern British writers have been likewise made to order, but for another class of readers, and to unnerve the energy, and to influence the measures of other nations ? It is certain, that the uniform practice of Great Britain and all her legis- lation, is at odds with the teaching of her late writers.
Without pronouncing upon the comparative wisdom of these two systems of policy, we feel constrained to say, that the results of the few past years, of our commerce with Great Britain, have demonstrated that free trade, on one side, has been ruinous to our people, and its continu- ance cannot promise a permanent future prosperity.
THE EXPERIENCE OF RUSSIA, AFFORDS LESSONS OF WISDOM.
The memorable " armed neutrality" of the North, under the auspices of the Empress Catharine, formed for the defence of " free trade," was overthrown in the wreck of the French Revolution.
" Russia was prosperous in 1816-'17-'18 and '19, but, fascinated with the theories of Adam Smith and J. B. Say, she adopted a new tariff in 1818, on the delusive plan of letting trade regulate itself. In this tariff, she abrogated her prohibitions and lowered her duties. The
139
country was immediately deluged with foreign goods, and, in due course, drained of its specie, as we have been in past years, to pay for the sur- plus of those imports, which far exceeded its exports. The most dis- astrous consequences took place. Circulation was stopped. Distress and wretchedness overspread the land. The manufacturers, as was the case in this country, first fell victims to this mistaken policy. Agri- culture next felt the shock ; and, finally, bankruptcy swept away a large portion of those commercial houses, whose cupidity had paved the way for the misery of their country.
The following statement of the sufferings of the country, is from a circular of the Emperor of Russia, signed by Count Nesselrode, and published in 1827 :
"To produce happy effects, the principles of commercial freedom must be generally adopted. The State which adopts, whilst others re- ject them, must condemn its own industry and commerce to pay a ruinous tribute to those of other nations.
" From a circulation exempt from restraint, and the facility afforded by reciprocal exchanges, almost all the governments at first resolved to seek the means of repairing the evil which Europe had been doomed to suffer ; but experience and more correct calculations, because they were made from certain data, and upon the results already known, of the peace that had just taken place, forced them soon to adhere to the pro- hibitory system.
England preserved hers. Austria remained faithful to the rule she had laid down, to guard herself against the rivalship of foreign industry. France, with the same views, adopted the most rigorous measures of precaution. And Prussia published a new tariff in October last, which proves, that she found it impossible not to follow the example of the rest of Europe.
In proportion as the prohibitory system is extended and rendered per- fect in other countries, that State which pursues the contrary system, makes, from day to day, sacrifices more extensive and more considera- ble. *
* It offers a continual encouragement to the manufac. tures of other countries, and its own manufactures perish in the struggle, which they are as yet unable to maintain.
It is with the most lively feelings of regret, we acknowledge it is our own proper experience which enables us to trace this picture. The evils which it details, have been realized in Russia and Poland, since the conclusion of the act of the 7-19 of December, 1818. * * * Agriculture without a market, industry without protection, languish and decline. Specie is exported, and the most solid commercial houses are shaken. The public prosperity would soon feel the wound inflicted on private fortunes, if new regulations did not promptly change the actual state of affairs.
Events have proved, that our agriculture and our commerce, as well as our manufacturing industry, are not only paralized, but brought to the brink of ruin."
The effect of British Commercial laws on American tonnage and the carrying trade, equally injurious to American interests, is necessarily omitted on the present occasion.
140
141
MANUFACTURED COTTON GOODS EXPORTED FROM ENGLAND THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEARS 1843 AND 1844.
Calicoes, Plain.
Calicoes.
Countries.
Yards.
Yards.
Yards.
Yards
114,390
14,800
17,982
5,000
British West Indies,
12,243,986
6,086,237
9,467,854
6,074,576
Belgium,
368,788
627,660
1,225,003
1,327,825
Chili and Peru,
2,843,053
1,024,157
9,289,661
2,626,831
Cape of Good Hope,
2,007,541
891,138
1,695,507
1.052,607
Denmark,
74,039
609,620
12,938
206,531
France,
2,467,749
421,651
724,970
834,522
Gibraltar,
3,883,624
3,146,466
4,533,013
5,059,308
9,456,656
5,777,403
4,534,183
4,593,521
Hanover,
9,291,975
10,110,516
17,565,003
16,095,382
Holland,
20,000
30,798
9,000
3.003
India, 1
14,593,419
7,730,080
5,679,597
7,053,108
China, S
92,542,740
82,268,964 46,546,517
12,523,665
2,716,365
Mauritius and Batavia,
838,861
1,022,893
690,492
970,493
New Holland,
1,660,656
1,034,882
2,485,077
604,031
Prussia,
3,499,727
2,953,371
2,792,448
3,958,600
1,188
2,620
529
140
Russia,
13,135,400
12,551.463
6,488,030
7,706,487
Sweden and Norway,
529,982
533,507
40,242
134,940
Spain,
333.453
355,892
377,428
264,225
Sardinia, Tuscany, &c.,
11,752,465
6,933,744
8,750,289
7,645,502
3,965,379
3,485.909
1,690,993
1,270,189
United States of America,
1,953,857
4,300,878
3,562,312
5.096,137
Total expended in the 1st 6
months of 1843,
253,318,621
-
145,295,119
Increase
1844,
- 23,404,050
-
6,785,249
The exports to the United States, this year, compared with last, have been very great. The quantity of plain calicoes sent to this country, for the first six months of 1844, is more than one hundred per cent. greater, than for the same time in 1843; while the quantity of printed and dyed calicoes, have increased about 67 per cent. We have, in the foregoing table, an insight into the source of part of our immense im- ports. The exportation of calicoes to the United States, from England, this year, has increased a larger per cent. than to any other country. Nearly a third part of the increased quantity of printed and dyed cali- coes, exported this year from England, was sent to the United States. This statement, undoubtedly, seems very strange to those who ima- gined the tariff was going to shut out foreign manufactures. We annex a table, showing the exportation of calicoes, plain, printed and dyed, from England to the United States, for several years.
Calicoes Exported from England to the United States.
1839.
1840.
1842.
Printed and dyed yards,
22,439,785
17,775,607
1841 26,025,281
15,691,333
Plain,
do.,
11,194,870
7,439,463
11,957,053
5,120,403
5,621,716
4,008,367
6,766,647
7,090,633
Colombia,
1,404,180
1,114,312
2,610,194
1,743,610
Egypt,
4,124,942,
7,345,504
149,783
10,458,494
Malta and Ionian Isles,
3,379,754
1,629,739
1,756,383
836,219
Mexico,
1,740,608
184,413
3,328,924
1,404,684
Naples and Sicily,
Portugal, Madeira, Azores, and Cape Verd,
17,909
Trieste, Venice & Austrian Ports,
Turkey and Levant,
24,698,287
29,108.204
16,090 529
26,931,700
Do. of
1844,
- 276,722,671
152,080,368
1843.
1844.
1843.
1844.
Barbary and Morocco,
Brazil, and other ports of S. America,
19,759,110
27,517,811
16,640.591
20,374,286
Br. N. American Colonies,
4,948,187
7,353,145
4,676.107
6,872,253
Coast of Africa, exclusive of Cape,
1,069,166
Foreign West Indies,
Hanse-Towns, Mecklen'g, Oldenb'g, &c.,
Printed and Dyed.
These years were the last of our compromise tariff, except part of 1842. The fall imports of that year, came in under the present tariff act. At the rate of exportation of these goods from England, so far, this year, the total, for the year, would amount to 8,601,766 yards of plain calicoes, and 10,192,274 yards printed and dyed. The importa- tion for 1844, will, according to this data, fall far short in the aggregate what it was in previous years. There has been several causes producing this state of things. The tariff, undoubtedly, has a certain influence on the importation of articles, produced to so great an extent in this country, as those alluded to in the foregoing tables. But prices, until recently, have been so very much reduced, that foreign manufacturers could not, in consequence of the high duty, compete so successfully with the manufacturers of this country. Since the currency has become slightly expanded, and prices have, as a natural consequence, advanced, foreign goods have paid a fair profit in our markets, and the supply has, up to this moment, been fully equal to the demand. The tariff exerts a very moderate influence on our importations, when prices are at a very low point, but the moment prices advance, the tariff becomes an- nulled, and our importations increase. The manufacturers of Europe will keep our markets fully supplied; and, so long as the business continues profitable, our markets will be used as an outlet for their sur- plus manufactures. The exportation of their surplus stocks, improves the price for their supplies for the home consumption. This is a very important item ; and to secure their object, an exportation of the sur- plus, even at a small loss, would be preferable to keeping their stock at home too large.
18,755
142
143
We have taken 8 of the old North and South, and an equal num- ber of the new Western States, to exhibit the amount of their products in several of the leading articles ; as of sheep's wool, horses, mules, cattle, sheep, and swine.
COTTON AND RICE.
The great staples, Cotton and Rice, confined to ten States, is as follows:
STATES.
Pounds Cotton.
Pounds Rice.
Virginia,
2,402,117
3,084
North Carolina,
34,437,581
3,324,632
South Carolina, 43,927,171
66,897,244
Georgia,
116,514,211
13,417,209
Alabama,
84,854,118
156,469
Mississippi,
148,504,397
861,711
Louisiana,
112,511,263
3,765,542
Tennessee,
20,872,433
8,455
Arkansas,
7,038,185
5,987
Floridas,
6,009,201
495,625
Kentucky, at the same period only produced 607,456 pounds cotton, and but 16,848 pounds rice. The agriculturists of this State have turned their attention more to growing hemp, which agreeably to our statistics, amounts to about 30,000,000 pounds per annum.
305:301600
THE PRODUCTS OF SIXTEEN STATES-NORTHERN, SOUTHERN AND WESTERN.
STATES.
Pounds wool.
Horses and
Cattle.
Sheep.
Swine.
Pennsylvania, 3,048,584
365,129 1,172,665 1,767,620 1,503,964
Vermont,
3,697,285
62,402 384,341 1,681,814 203,800
New York,
9,845,295
474,543 1,911,244 5,118,777 1,900,065
New Jersey,
397,209
70,502 220,202
219,285
261,443
Virginia,
2,538,374
826,438 1,024,148 1,293,772 1,992,155
N. Carolina,
625,044
166,608
617,371
538,279 1,649,716
S. Carolina,
299,170
139,921
572,608
232,981
878,522
Georgia,
371,303
157,540
884,414
267,107 1,457,755
Alabama,
220,353
143,147
668,018
163,243 1,423,873
Mississippi,
175,196
109,237
623,197
128,367 1,001,209
Tennessee,
1,060,382
341,409
822,851
741,593 2,926,607
Kentucky, Ohio,
Indians,
1,237,919
241,036
619,980 675,982 1,623.608
Illinois,
650.007
199,235
626,274
395,672 1,495,154
Missouri,
562,265
196,032
433,875
348,018 1,271,161
Quantity produced
in 1840.
Quantity produced in 1842.
Quantity produced
in 1843.
Wheat, 84,823,272 bush. 102,317,340 bush. 100,310,855 bush.
Barley, 4,161,504 66
3,871,622
3,220,721
Oats, 121,071,341 "
150,883,617 145,929,966
Rye, 18,645,567 66
22,762,952 24,280,271
Buck wheat, 7,291,743 66
9,483,489 66
7,959,410
Ind. corn, 377,531,875
66
441,829,246 66
494,618,306
Potatoes, 108,298,060
135,883,381
105,756,133
Hay,
10,248,1082 tons. 14,053,355 tons.
15,419,808 tons.
Flax & Hemp, 96,251ª
158,569 « 161,007ª "
Tobacco, 219,163,319 lbs. 194,694,891 lbs.
Cotton,
790,479,295
683,333,231
747,660,090
Rice, 80,841,422
94,007,884 89,879,145
Silk cocoons, 61,552
244,124
315,965
Sugar,
155,110,809
142,445,199
126,400,310 «
Wine,
124,734 galls. 130,748 galls.
139,240
Maine,
75 Mississippi,
155,307
New Hampshire,
264 Louisiana,
129,517
Massachusetts,
87,955 Tennessee,
35,168,040
Rhode Island,
454 Kentucky,
56,678,674
Connecticut,
547,694 Ohio,
6,486,164
Vermont,
710 Indiana, 984 Illinois,
2,375,365
New Jersey,
2,566 Missouri,
10,749,454
Pensylvania,
415,908 Arkansas,
185,548
Delaware, Maryland,
365 Michigan,
2,249
Virginia,
79,450,192 Wisconsin,
314
North Carolina,
20,026,830 Iowa,
9,616
South Carolina,
69,521 District of Columbia,
59,578
Georgia,
175,411
Alabama,
286,976
Total,
240,187,118
States.
pounds.| States.
pounds.
New York,
863,623
26,152,810 Florida,
74,963
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE OF THE UNITED STATES.
ARTICLES.
Mules.
395,863
787,098 1,008,224 2,310,533
1,786.847
3,685,315
430,537 1,217,874 2,028,401 2,099,746
185,731,554 lbs.
$585,639,968 Supposed value of the above articles for 1842, - Do. do. (at the same price) for 1843, - 607,185,413
TOBACCO STATISTICS OF THE U. STATES,
The following table exhibits the amount of Tobacco grown in each State and Territory, agreeably to the census of 1840.
144
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE CONSUMED IN THE U. S.
Population,
1840. 17,069,453
1842. 18,646,367
1843. 19,183,583
Articles.
Bushels.
Bushels.
Bushels.
Indian Corn,
290,180,650
316,988,239
326,120,911
Oats,
95,588,920
104,419,644
107,428,048
Wheat, Rye, &c .*
85,347,265
93,231,835
95,917,915
Potatoes,
85,357,265
93,231,835
95,917,915
Surplus after deducting 1-10 for seed, and the above for consumption.
Indian Corn,
49,598,038
80,658,083
119,035,565
Wheat, Rye, &c .*
18,082,613
31,360,028
27,276,218
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