more prosperous, she never made a more sure and steady march towards the summit of power and greatness, than at the present moment.

Sir, why do great and important sections of country afford no evidence of increasing wealth and prosperity? Why do the products of agriculture find such wretched markets? Why does the value of the soil itself daily diminish in value, in almost every interior part of the country? The labor of a nation is said to be the primary source of its wealth. Can Government give it a direction more beneficial? Will any further promotion of manufactures improve our condition?

It has, sir, been maintained by high authority, that "legislation does not create wealth, but simply transfers it from hand to hand, and can enrich one class only by impoverishing others." I refer to the Boston memorial on your table. We are also told by the same, "that it would be surely surprising, that a system of restriction so une'qual and so repugnant to all sound theory, should 'be adopted by a free and enlightened people, at a 'time when the greatest statesmen of Europe, after 'a long trial of it, are openly acknowledging its 'incorrectness, and whole nations suffering and 'lamenting the consequences of its adoption." The same sentiments have been repeatedly advanced in this debate. We have been told that no enlightened Government ever directed the industry of its people to new employments. That it never gave aid but to manufacturing establishments already in existence.

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themselves. They excelled in the fabrics of silk and wool. For several centuries they furnished the Northern nations with great supplies of these and other products of their own industry. They advanced rapidly to opulence and power. The Lombards, for a great length of time, controlled the currency of Europe. They were the bankers of the civilized world. Arts, sciences, and civilization, made unrivalled progress.

Netherlands contained the depot of Eastern and Italian merchandise, from which it found its way into all the surrounding countries. Netherlands, stimulated by example, soon engaged in manufactures, especially of wool and flax; her fabrics were also distributed among the neighboring nations. For several centuries she advanced before any other nation of the North in wealth, power, and civilization. Her people controlled the commerce and navigation of England, France, and the Baltic States, for a long period. These countries were tributary to her industry, skill, and enterprise. It was against Italy and Netherlands that the first restrictive measures of other nations were first directed. Their wealth and prosperity had at length aroused the attention of some of the principal Powers of Europe.

Until about 1600, France was almost entirely dependent upon those two nations for every valuable manufacture. She received from Italy large supplies of silks of various fabric, and woollens and linens to an immense amount from Netherlands. She was continually drained of the preHow can we determine the correctness or in- cious metals. Her commerce and agriculture correctness of the different opinions and statements made slow improvement. The contrast between relating to the subject before us? To theory? We France and her nearest neighbors at this period are lost at once amidst the jargon of the schools affords a most instructive lesson. It illustrates of political economy. Is it not safer to trust our- the effect of the grand political dogma, that the selves to the practical experience of enlightened interest of a country will regulate itself to the best nations, than to their visionary writers, whose advantage. Sir, it was reserved to Henry IV. to opinions were never regarded at home? Whose discover the real poverty and weakness of his productions, as was emphatically observed by a country. He saw that it was a mere dependant distinguished advocate of the policy for which we upon the industry and enterprise of others, and he are now contending, "were like the fabrics of their was determined to change the long established country, made for exportation, and not for home policy of his less intelligent predecessors. He enconsumption." We apply to individuals those couraged the production of raw silk, which, like rules which are found by experience useful to the cotton of the Southern States, soon afforded govern the conduct of individuals. We determine the most abundant supply. He procured manutheir value by the effects they produce. The same facturers from Milan, established them in France, may be said of those rules of policy by which na- and gave them protection and the most liberal retions are controlled. Labor, industry, and wealth, wards. The result afforded demonstration of the are the same in all countries; they must be ac- wisdom of his measures. In a few years his peoquired by the same general means. A policy, ple supplied themselves with those fabrics of silk which one nation may adopt with success, may be which had been procured from abroad at the most beneficial to another. If history was ever valua- ruinous expense. She was immediately the sucble, it is in the investigation of the important sub-cessful rival of the Italians in foreign markets. ject now before this Committee. If its measures Henry also extended his protecting hand to the could ever be employed in aid of legislation, their manufacture of linens with equal success. A rapid value must be admitted on the present occasion. and beneficial change in the condition of France In my remarks I shall refer to those manufactures was every where perceived. Her agriculture was of the greatest importance in a national point of improved, her commerce was extended, and the view. Those of inferior character will be found great mass of the people enjoyed a state of prosto flourish where the others have been promoted. perity to which they had ever been strangers. If The States of Italy were the first which awak-history is entitled to the least credit; if its page is ened from the slumber of the dark ages. While they distributed the rich products of the East throughout Europe, they engaged in manufactures

not darkened with falsehoods, France gained more solid benefits during twenty years of Henry's reign than she had for ages before. He has ever been

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hailed as the Father of his nation; as the most It is true, sir, that the mad ambition and wild enlightened statesman France ever produced; as fanaticsm of Louis, plunged his nation into the an example of wisdom which has never been ex-greatest difficulties. His bloody and extravagant celled by any crowned head of Europe.

wars would have ruined any other nation. The shameful revocation of the edict of Nantes, it is said, drove eight hundred thousand of his best subjects into foreign countries. Notwithstanding, France adhered to her policy. She soon regained that prosperity which had been interrupted by temporary weakness and folly.

I shall now, sir, refer to another period of the history of France. It is full of instruction on this point. I mean the age of Louis XIV. France still continued to receive woollens, and many other fabrics, from abroad. The benefits she had received, from the policy of Henry, pointed out a luminous path to national prosperity. The culture of silk Permit me, sir, to call the attention of the Comhad succeeded. Its manufacture, in all its branches, mittee to some further illustrations of the effects had surmounted every difficulty. The productions of that policy, of which I am an humble advocate. of linen and many others gave a triumph to that English fabrics, as well as the agricultural prowisdom which brought them into existence. Louis, ductions of England, were excluded from France. aided by the sagacity and intelligence of Colbert, Yet England remained under the dominion of of men whose counsels were the admiration, as French fashions. She continued to take from well as the dread of Europe, was determined to France a great amount of merchandise. The efpursue with zeal a policy from which his nation fects were allowed to be the most disastrous. Her had already gained such decisive advantages. writers inform us that the distress and embarrassFrance had no manufacture of woollens to any ments of the people of England were great and amount. The manufacture of broad cloths was universal. They were felt by all classes employed of the first importance. Louis did not wait for either in agriculture, commerce, or manufactures. his people to begin an unaided experiment. He Coin disappeared, and there was a general stagnadid not wait until he saw them struggling with a tion of every kind of business. We are told that competition which they could not withstand. His a balance of two millions sterling was ascertained policy extended to every thing valuable to his peo- to exist against her in favor of France. The Engple, for their own use and consumption, or foreign lish Government felt the wretched consequences commerce. He did not believe that regulations of this trade. It was prohibited for three years. could only transfer wealth from hand to hand, This prohibition was attended with the most salenriching one class only by impoverishing others. utary benefits. England instantly felt the revival He may be said to have created the manufacture of all the various branches of industry. The three of broad cloths. He gave liberal bounties to ar-years' prohibition expired. England was suddenly tists. He laid heavy duties on rival fabrics, and, inundated with French manufactures. We are finally, entire prohibition. On an occasion of na-again informed that, in a period of three years, tional sorrow and mourning, the fashion of the day required the use of certain articles produced by England alone. He issued his mandate against the laws of fashion, and required that French fabrics should be used in preference to all others. | In a short period the French manufactures excluded those of England and Netherlands from the valuable markets of the Levant.

The Dutch had the coasting trade of France in their hands. By a moderate bounty on French vessels these foreigners were compelled to retire, and the navigation of the country was instantly sufficient.

Cotton goods were introduced from India. Their use had become extensive. As soon as the raw material was procured, the foreign fabric was at once prohibited. The manufacture instantly sprang into existence. A supply was readily created for domestic use, and for exportation. We have seen the same effect produced in the United States, from the protection afforded to coarser

cottons.

the balance against England was about five millions sterling. We are told by the witnesses of these events, that the trade with France, if suffered to continue, would have completely beggared England. England again prohibited that trade, and again that policy was triumphant. France continued to pursue the course pointed out by Henry and Louis. In 1781, Mr. Neckar says, her exports were three hundred millions of livres; her imports two hundred and twenty millions, which gave her a balance of eighty millions. He estimated the coin in circulation at eighty-seven millions of pounds sterling.

I will now make a brief reference to the policy of England. No very decisive and permanent protection had been given to her manufactures, until the time of Elizabeth. That distinguished princess, celebrated as one of the ablest rulers that ever sat upon a British throne, had the sagacity to see, and the firmness to maintain, the solid interests of her people. She was not blind to the causes of the wealth and power of Netherlands. France was, at this time, advancing before every The example was not suffered to escape her nonation of Europe. Her agriculture was flourish- tice. The artisans of that country were decidedly ing. Her commerce was extended. Her manufac- superior to her own. The English had, for a tures were unrivalled. The interior of the country great length of time, sent their woollen cloths was every day rising into importance. Cities, abroad to be finished. This was prohibited, and towns, and villages, were every where improving. soon the English could equal, if not surpass their The arts and sciences progressed with unparal-neighbors, to whom they had been inferior. Elileled rapidity, and gave their splendid embellish-zabeth prohibited, from time to time, all such ments to the character of the nation. fabrics as her own people could produce. The

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result was invariable. British workmen never Sir, the attention of the Committee is asked to failed to furnish a supply. That nation never a further development of the policy of England made such advances to opulence and power as towards other nations. It is most clearly exhibduring her reign. The agriculture, the commerce, ited in her conduct relating to this country, when and manufactures of England, all were indebted her colonies. That conduct is so frankly and for their prosperity to her guardian care. Eliza- honestly expressed in the treatise of Mr. Gee on beth is placed by historians, orators, and poets, at English trade and manufactures, that his language the head of British sovereigns. Her reputation shall be used. He was a distinguished merchant, for talents and wisdom are the constant pride of and seems fully to understand the subject. As Englishmen. Sir, by what means did she ascend evidence of the weight of his opinions, his Govto that elevated rank? Because she gave wealth ernment adopted several of the measures which and power to her nation. And how was this ac- he recommended. The work to which I have complished? It was by making England depend- alluded was written about 1730. Speaking of ent on England alone, as far as nature would al- the American colonies, he observes-"Now, as low. It was by throwing off a servile dependence people have been filled with fears, that the coloon Italy, Netherlands, and France, for those sup-nies, if encouraged to raise the rough materials, plies, which her own people could produce within themselves.

would set up for themselves, a little regulation 'would remove all those jealousies out of the way; The coasting trade of England, like that of for then our merchants and manufacturers would France, was carried on, almost wholly, by Dutch find it their interest to promote and assist them vessels, for several centuries. We are told that in raising those materials which might prove so five or six hundred Dutch ships were engaged in much to their and our material benefit." Again the trade between Netherlands and England, and he says, "its encouragement is given for raising not more than fifty English. The English Gov-hemp, flax, &c., doubtless they will soon begin ernment well knew that its navigation would al-' ways remain contemptible, unless it was aided. The Dutch, having numberless vessels and ample capital, competition could not be sustained against them. Protection was afforded, and the English instantly rivaled their enterprising neighbors.' The United States imitated that example, and our navigation has been equally successful.

to manufacture, if not prevented; therefore, to stop the progress of any such manufacture, it is proposed that no weaver there shall have liberty to set up any looms, without first registering, at an office kept for that purpose, his name and place of abode," &c. Speaking of the manufacture of nails, he says: "It is proposed they shall, 'for the time to come, never erect the manufacturing of any, under the size of a two shilling

After Elizabeth, French politics and French fashions gained ground in England. A relaxa-nail, horse-shoe nails excepted; that all slitting tion of the policy, so triumphantly pursued by that Princess, was allowed to take place. The ruinous effects to England have been already mentioned, and also the measures adopted to save that nation from the fatal consequences of an open and unrestrained trade with France.

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mills and engines for drawing wire or weaving stockings be put down." Again: "That all negroes shall be prohibited from weaving either linen or wool, &c. This limitation will not abridge the planters of any privilege they now 'enjoy; on the contrary, it will turn their indusSir, England gave protection to the manufac- try to promoting and raising those rough mateture of silk. This, of itself, would seem to give rials." Again he says "New England and the conclusive evidence of the benefits produced by Northern colonies have not commodities and attention to manufactures. Of all countries, Eng-products enough to send us in return for purland must have been the most unfavorable to this chasing their necessary clothing, &c., but are branch of industry. Some have doubted whether under very great difficulties, and therefore any the efforts of Government to maintain and pro-ordinary sort sells well with them, and when tect it, under the greatest discouragements, were they are grown out of fashion with us, they are compatible with its best interests. But Govern-new-fashioned enough there, and therefore those ment persevered. The English advanced in skill with a steady pace, and were successful. They could meet the Italians with superior fabrics and undersell them in their own markets. This manufacture is now in the most flourishing condition. It gives employment to multitudes of people, and is a source of wealth to the nation. It has amply repaid the price of the fostering care and unshaken protection it has received. In 1822, England imported raw silk to the value of nine hundred and thirty thousand pounds sterling. For 1823, the importation is estimated at more than a million. The value of silk manufactures is supposed to be above fifty millions of dollars for a single year, a sum nearly equal to all the exports of agricultural products from the United States for the same period of time.

places are the great markets we have to dispose of such goods." This, sir, is plain, honest dealing.

As the writer recommended, the colonial governors were directed to perform the duty of spies, and report to the Government the progress of the colonists in manufactures. It was ascertained that they exported hats to the Spanish main. This was at once prohibited. The manufacture itself, for domestic use, was embarrassed with the most despotic regulations. Every species of manufacture was discouraged by the art or force of the mother country. This was English policy in 1732; it is the same to-day. It will continue to be the same while England exists. No efforts will be wanting to preserve what she has so long struggled to acquire. It is true, sir, she cannot

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'culation exempt from restraint, and the facility afforded by reciprocal exchanges, that almost all Governments, at first, resolved to seek the means of repairing the evil which Europe had been doomed to suffer. But experience, and more cor

certain data, &c., forced them soon to adhere to

control us by her power, yet she seems able to accomplish her object by other means. When the domestic manufacture makes its appearance in our markets, unless it be some one which has adequate protection, they are instantly inundated from abroad, with a similar kind. Goods of in-rect calculations, because they were made from ferior quality, out of fashion in other countries, are good enough for us. Auction sales augment the evil. The domestic manufacturer, who has had the enterprise to begin, has the misfortune of being sacrificed by foreign competition. When the prosperity of England is so dependent upon her manufactures, who can be so blind, sir, as to suppose she can be regardless of the policy of other nations? Whether we shall continue to submit from necessity or interest to a system, which, as colonies, we were compelled to endure, is now to be decided.

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( the prohibiting sytem. England preserved hers. Austria remained faithful to the rule she had laid down to guard herself against the rivalry of foreign industry. France, with the same views, adopted the most rigorous measures of precau'tion. 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." He further tells us what evils Russia experienced. "Agriculture without a market, in'dustry without protection, languish and decline. Sir, let me ask the indulgence of the Committee Specie is exported, and the most solid commerwhile a brief notice is taken of the policy of Ger-cial houses are shaken. The public prosperity many and Russia. From the formation of the would soon feel the wound inflicted on private Hanseatic league, about 1240, to the beginning of fortunes, if new regulations did not promptly the eighteenth century, Russia was wholly depen-change the actual state of affairs." The tariff dent on those nations which had engaged in man- of 1823 was adopted, by which ample and decisive ufactures. Germany was nearly in the same con- protection is given to the agriculture and manufacdition. They exchanged their raw materials, tures of his dominions. Such is the lesson taught naval stores, and other rude productions, for the by experience, the ablest of all instructors. It is valuable fabrics of Italy, Netherlands, and, for a a complete refutation of the assertion confidently time, of England. Peter the Great, of Russia, made, and widely circulated, that the greatest was sensible that his people had made no progress statesmen of Europe, after a long trial, are openly in the arts of civilized life. His country was poor, acknowledging the incorrectness of restrictive dependent, and barbarous. He was determined systems. to learn the cause why others were improving in wealth and power, while his was stationary. He descended from the throne of the Czars, and travelled through those countries most distinguished for their prosperity. He observed, with the eye of an intelligent ruler and profound statesman, the causes of that prosperity. He returned to his dominions and laid the deep foundations of their greatness. He introduced manufactures. He turned the attention of his people to new employments. He promoted the internal commerce of his country. He encouraged the arts of civilized life. He endeavored to make Russia dependent on Russia alone. He lived to see the success of his exertions, and his country introduced into the family of civilized nations.

His system of policy has been pursued, with little deviation, until the late pacification of Europe. The restrictions upon commerce had become odious. They were associated with the memory of their grand enemy, Napoleon. The allied monarchs agreed to open the door which had been shut against free commerce. This gave a momentary triumph to the doctrines of modern political economists. It was a still greater one to those nations which wanted a market for their manufactures. The Emperor of Russia adopted the tariff of 1820 to fulfil his engagements. He allowed Russia to become a market for the merchandise of his neighbors. The effects he describes in his manifesto of March, 1823, to which I will refer. He says, "the necessity of giving to commercial relations a more free scope had been felt at Vien'na in 1815, &c. It was, therefore, from a cir

The policy of Germany has been described by that of Russia. It is distinguished by the same causes, and has produced the same effects.

Permit me, sir, to inquire, what would have been the condition of France, had she continued dependent on Italy for silks, and on the Netherlands for woollens and linens? Suppose England had never checked her trade with France, and left the industry of her people to regulate itself, would she have been the gainer? Suppose Russia and Germany had remained dependent on Italy, France and Holland, what would have been their condition at the present day?

But, sir, we are told that the United States are agricultural, and that the friends of the bill are aiming a fatal shaft at that great and primary interest. To meet this accusation, so often made, and so vehemently urged, I shall refer again to the experience of other nations. When was the agriculture of Italy the most flourishing? It was when her manufactures were the most prosperous. When was the agriculture of Netherlands in the best condition? It was when her manufactures approached the nearest to perfection. Compare the agriculture of these countries, in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, with that of England, France, and Germany. Compare the agriculture of France, under Louis XIV, with its state before Henry IV. Compare the condition of agriculture, in England, at the death of Elizabeth, with its appearances previous to her reign. Also, compare the agriculture of England and France with that of Spain, for a century past. The conclusion is irresistible, that agriculture never made

but little progress when manufactures were neglected. The evidence is beyond contradiction, that agriculture was always prosperous when manufactures were decidedly protected. With them are ever associated industry, wealth, and power, the arts, sciences, and civilization.

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diminish their numbers. We might send fewer ships to Russia and Sweden-perhaps to France and England. This is not to be dreaded. The interior trade will be doubly augmented. Our rivers and lakes afford unequalled facilities for internal trade and navigation. They will not reWith manufactures, is connected another sub- main long unimproved, if the Government will ject of incalculable importance that of internal but lend its aid to the industry and enterprise of commerce. Independent of its security when the the people. It is but a few years since England world is agitated by wars and revolutions, it con- improved her inland navigation. Her advantages tributes, more than foreign trade, to the improve- must sink into insignificance compared with what ment of a nation. Foreign merchandise first ar- nature has bestowed on the United States. Yet rives at some commercial mart, on the seaboard. we are informed, by her ablest writers, that the It is sent directly through the great channels of interior commerce and navigation of England alcommunication to the interior. Domestic com-ready rival the exterior in the production of seamen merce is not only carried on through the same for the royal navy, and merchant vessels. Sir, if such channels, but in every lateral direction. It is this are the effects of inland navigation in that counkind of commerce which brings every portion of try, what may not be expected in this? By puran extended country together. It gives uniformity suing a policy which would give life and activity to feelings, habits, and manners. It promotes to our interior commerce, we should soon see our harmony among the people, for it blends together rivers, and canals, and inland seas alive with our all their different interests, and gives solidity to navigation. Our seamen would find full employtheir national character. This commerce will be ment. In time of war we should not be required increased in proportion to domestic supplies. The to send our seamen from the seaboard to maintain iron, the salt, the cotton, the hemp, and all the the honor of our flag on the lakes. They would various productions of the country, will be dis- there be found ready to defend our frontiers and tributed and exchanged. This is also illustrated their own homes. by the increasing intercourse between the North and South, since manufactures have been established. The distant part of the country from which I come, the town in which I reside, have already exchanged productions with South Carolina and Georgia.

In a political point of view, domestic commerce is also important. It will be exclusively conducted by Americans. Foreign commerce is generally accompanied by a host of strangers, who seldom fail to bring, with their merchandise, a decided hostility to our institutions.

I shall proceed, sir, to answer some of the objections which are made against the proposed measure. We are told that it will discourage foreign commerce; our navigation will be injured; our seamen will be driven from their element, and that great arm of our national defence, the Navy, will be annihilated. Sir, on what does our Navy depend? As was well said by the honorable gentleman from New York, (Mr. MARTINDALE,) give the nation the means, and a Navy can be created. On what does it depend for its seamen? Partly on the fisheries. These will not be injured by the proposed policy. They will be promoted, by enabling the people of the interior to furnish supplies, such as hemp from the West, and iron from the North, in exchange for the products of the fisheries. Now they can purchase silks from Canton as easily as fish from Newfoundland. The market abroad will not be injured. The coasting trade also furnishes its share of seamen. The more extensive this trade, the greater would be the number of seamen it could furnish. Nothing would give greater activity to this branch of employment than the encouragement of manufactures, which would be distributed through every part of the Union, along the seaboard. But it is said that the decrease of foreign commerce would

Again, sir, we are told that the mercantile interest will be ruined by giving the proposed aid to manufactures. The employment of the merchant is in the exchange and distribution of the products of labor throughout the community. It is strange, indeed, that he should be injured by increasing the wealth and prosperity of the nation; that his interests flourish only in the poverty, misery, and embarrassments of the people. There must be a supply for the wants of a country. It is no more a change of employment or of capital to purchase iron from the forges of Vermont or Pennsylvania, than there is in opening a new trade with other nations, or re-shipping merchandise to other markets, which our own do not require. In time of war, or hostile policy of other countries, no business is more hazardous than foreign trade-none safer than the domestic.

We are charged with pursuing a policy which will be ruinous to the noble art of ship building. There is no ground, sir, for this accusation. Ship building has ever been favored and protected by the people. The agricultural part of the nation has always been firm and faithful to its interest. I cannot concur with the honorable member from New York (Mr. CAMBRELENG) when he stated, the other day, that the only encouragement given to American navigation, was a higher duty imposed on merchandise imported in foreign vessels, than on merchandise imported in our own. It seems to me. sir, that he has entirely mistaken the character of our navigation laws. Was the discriminating duty on foreign tonnage nothing? Was the duty of fifty cents per ton on foreign vessels, payable at every entry, while but six cents per ton was required but once a year on our own, nothing? [Mr. CAMBRELENG requested to make a remark. He still considered the discriminating duty laid on merchandise imported in foreign ves