Claim of Daniel D. Tompkins.

Cassedy, Cocke, Collins, Condict, Crafts, Craig, paid; also, the amount paid in said ports by ali v agent Crowninshield, Cuthbert, Day, Durfee, Dwight, Ea- of this Government for supplies of any kinner, the ton, Eddy, Ellis, Farrelly, Findlay, Forward, Fuller, vessels of war of the United States, stating tha, Floyd, Garrison, Gazlay, Gurley, Harris, Hayden, Hemp- and office of the person, the time when, the Gatli hill, Herkimer, Hogeboom, Holcombe, Isacks, Jen- where, and the mode of payment; whether in tails, kins, Johnson_of Virginia, J. T. Johnson, F. John- notes, or money; if in bills or notes, whether at par son, Kremer, Lawrence, Lincoln, Litchfield, Living-value, if not, at what discount or advance. ston, Long, McArthur, McKean, McKee, McLane of Delaware, McLean of Ohio, Mallary, Markley, Martindale, Marvin, Miller, Mitchell of Pennsylvania, Moore of Kentucky, Moore of Alabama, Owen, Patterson of Pennsylvania, Patterson of Ohio, Plumer of Pennsylvania, Poinsett, Prince, Rankin, Reed, Richards, Rich, Rogers, Rose, Sandford, Sharpe, Sibley, Sloane, Standefer, Stewart, Swan, Taylor, Test, Thompson of Kentucky, Tod, Tyson, Udree, Vance of Ohio, Van Wyck, Vinton, Wayne, Webster, Whipple, Henry Wilson, Wilson of South Carolina, Wilson of Ohio, Wood, Woods, and Wright-99.

H. OF R.

for

place

e name

bil

The Tariff Bill.

fulfil its engagements to send him money easury notes, within the time specified, to be to its sited in certain banks as collateral security for Yet is procured by him at the request and on acCunt of the Government.

4. An irresponsibility for losses incurred by any frauds or failures of sub-agents to whom moneys were advanced through his hands.

In conformity with this report, a bill was passed authorizing "the proper accounting officers of the Treasury to adjust and settle the accounts and claims of Daniel D. Tompkins, late Governor of the State of New York, on principles of equity and justice, subject to the revision and final decision of the President of

the United States."

The committee have no doubt that Governor Tompkins has been and yet is a creditor of the Government to a large amount, and that every principle of justice would recommend a prompt and liberal settlement of his accounts, upon the basis of the foregoing report; but they are of opinion also that the act of Congress before recited gives sufficient authority for this purpose.

APRIL, 1824.

nite postponement, or taking the previous question on this bill, whilst amendments were pending, and others ready to be offered.

Mr. TRIMBLE then required the previous question. The House refused to sustain the call-ayes 94, noes 97.

Mr. WEBSTER stated his reasons for voting against the indefinite postponement of the bill. Mr. RANDOLPH expressed nearly the same views. Mr. TUCKER said, on making his motion to postpone the Tariff bill to the 1st of December next, he did not rise to make a speech, because other gentlemen had already expressed his views of the subject under discussion much better than he was capable of doing, and much more to his satisfaction. But I am of opinion, said Mr. T., that this discussion, and the course that has been pursued, are sufficient evidence of the impropriety, at least, of laying duties for any purpose except revenue. And if we can place any confidence in the opinion of the President of the United States, and Secretary of the Treasury, there is no necessity for increasing the revenue, except it should be thought necessary to carry into operation a system of internal improvement a project, he believed, equally as unconstitutional as the proposed tariff, and which will be equally as partial in its operation, and oppressive in its effect; both of which I consider a violation of the spirit of the Constitution, unwise, and impolitic-measures which I protest against. Some gentlemen contend that, if the bill should pass, it will increase the revenue, and encourage domestic industry; and that, by increasResolved, That the Committee of Ways and Meansing the duty, the articles will come cheaper to the be discharged from the further consideration of the subject, and that it be again referred to the President of the United States for his final decision.

So far as the committee have been informed, it appears that the aforesaid act has been liberally interpreted by the President and the accounting officers, and that, under the provisions of that law, the President of the United States now possesses the power, and ought, in the opinion of the committee, to exercise it, of doing full and liberal justice to Governor Tomp

kins.

The committee do not perceive any good reason, therefore, for making any change in the existing law, and recommend the following resolution :

Some conversation arose between Mr. McLANE and Mr. COCKE, on the subject, when Mr. COCKE moved to lay the report on the table. The motion was agreed to-ayes 76, noes 60.

THE TARIFF BILL.

The House having resumed the consideration of the bill for a revision of the Tariff

Mr. TUCKER, of South Carolina, renewed the motion he had yesterday made for a postponement of the Tariff bill to the first day of December next; on which question the yeas and nays were required.

Mr. TRIMBLE moved for a call of the House; the motion was agreed to-ayes 87, noes 78. A call of the House was accordingly ordered. The names of the absentees were called and the doors closed.

Mr. LITTLE then moved to dispense with all further proceedings in the call. The motion was negatived. Ayes 78, noes 103. Excuses were then offered for several absentees, and accepted.

Mr. WEBSTER moved that all further proceedings on the call be dispensed with.

Mr. TRIMBLE Opposed the motion. The question was taken and decided in the affirmative. Ayes 110.

Mr. MERCER protested against either an indefi

consumer, &c. I cannot believe such doctrine. To say that the manufacturers cannot go on without increasing the present duties, to enable them to compete with foreign manufactures, and thereby place it in the power of the manufacturers to charge more for their articles, and yet that they will come cheaper to the consumer, seems to me absurd.

Our Constitution was formed to establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence and general welfare of this Union. But, if these projects are carried into operation, they must and will have a contrary effect. From some sections of this Union, petitions have been presented from many manufacturers, praying for protection; which, if they succeed, must operate against the interest of every other class, except themselves, and be particularly oppressive to the people in the Southern States.

This subject has been too long discussed, and I have no doubt every gentleman's mind is made up on it, and that the vote now would be the same, that it would be a month hence. I think the bill worse now, than when it was reported by the Committee of the Whole, and as I am opposed to the bill with any amendments that could be made; and, for the purpose of putting an end to further dicussion and amendment, I shall move for the postponement of it. I think it time for the pres→ ent session to come to a close; I, for one, wish to go home; but, if gentlemen think we should stay longer, I am of opinion our time can be much bet

ter employed on other subjects. I call for the ayes and noes on the question of postponement.

Mr. HAMILTON and Mr. P. P. BARBOUR made a few observations in reply. When the question was taken on indefinite postponement-yeas 45, nays 155, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Abbot, Alexander of Virginia, Allen of Massachusetts, J. S. Barbour, Burton, Campbell of South Carolina, Cary, Cobb, Cocke, Conner, Culpeper, Edwards of North Carolina, Floyd, Forsyth, Gatlin, Gist, Govan, Gurley, Hall, Hayward, Hooks, Kent, Lee, Leftwich, Long, McCoy, Mangum, Moore of Alabama, Neale, Owen, Rankin, Reynolds, Saunders, Sandford, Arthur Smith, Alexander Smyth, William Smith, Spaight, Taliaferro, Thompson of Georgia, Tucker of Virginia, Tucker of South Carolina, Vance of North Carolina, Williams of North Carolina, and Wilson of South Carolina.

H. of R.

Mr. SANDFORD made some general remarks in opposition to the bill.

Mr. REED stated facts, and quoted memorials in opposition to the amendment proposed.

Mr. FLOYD advocated the reduction, which was also supported by Messrs. RANDOLPH and MOORE, of Alabama; when the question was taken by yeas and nays-yeas 81, nays 122, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Abbot, Alexander of Virginia, Allen of Massachusetts, Allen of Tennessee, Archer, Barber of Connecticut, P. P. Barbour, J. S. Barbour, 18th CoN. 1st SESS.-74

So the motion of Mr. WILLIAMS was negatived Mr. CONDICT moved to amend the bill by adding to the clause, fixing the duty on bar iron, at 90 cents per cwt., the following words: "Until the 1st day of June, 1825; and, from that time, a duty of one dollar per cwt."

I did not rise, said Mr. CONDICT, to discuss, at length, the principles of the bill. It was my intention to submit my views of its general policy, and of the effects which probably would result from its adoption; but, being precluded an opportunity, when in Committee of the Whole House, where the debate has been protracted to a great length, knowing how precious the time of the House is, and how impatient gentlemen are to vote upon the final question, I will content myself with a very few remarks connected with the amendment I have the honor to submit.

I will, first, ask the attention of the House to the condition of the iron works in the district where I reside. In the county of Morris there are about forty establishments for the manufacture of bar iron-in all, about ninety forge fires; most of them are located upon one stream, a branch of the

H. OF R.

The Tarif Bill.

APRIL, 1824.

Passaic river. During the restrictive system, and had been about 20,000 tons annually, but, in 1823, whilst the war continued, these works were in we imported 31,000 tons. Not a bar of Ameria flourishing condition; the iron found a ready can iron can now be sold in our cities, except at sale, and commanded a good price. At the close a dead loss to the manufacturer. Our citizens, of the war, the large importations from Europe employed in this business, have loaded your table reduced the price below the actual cost of making with their memorials, stating their difficulties, it, and these works ceased. The owners petition- and imploring relief. Will you turn a deaf ear ed Congress for relief, by additional duties on for- to their distresses? Will you suffer these estabeign iron. In the hope that aid would be grant-lishments to fall into utter decay? Will the Goved, they struggled for existence, endeavoring to ernment be dependent on foreign nations for an employ their workmen, rather than discharge article so essential to our national defence-so nethem, although every ton of iron made was sold cessary for every purpose of agriculture? Will at a loss. In 1815 or 1816, Mr. Dallas, then Sec- you look to Europe for your cannon and muskets, retary of the Treasury, recommended an increase your swords and your ploughshares, your spears of the duty on foreign iron, to $15 per ton. But, and pruning hooks? With your hills and mounsuch was the hostility to this important branch of tains abounding with the richest iron ore on the industry, so strong was the joint influence of the globe, competent, not merely to supply your own merchants and planters, that, instead of advanc- wants, but amply adequate to supply the whole ing the duty, as Mr. Dallas had advised, they re- world, with fuel and water power in the vicinity duced it to forty-five cents per cwt. or nine dol- of every mine, sufficient to prepare it for use, will lars per ton. The consequence was, irretrievable you still look to England and Sweden and Rusruin to the great body of iron-masters in every sia, for this indispensable article? Will you transsection of our country. Of the forty establish- port it three and four thousand miles, merely to ments before referred to, with the exception, per- give employment to your surplus tonnage? To haps, of four or five, the works have either been give your merchants the benefit of the freight, abandoned, or have changed owners. The few and a profit upon the purchase? who withstood the shock, were men who had accumulated property whilst the business was profitable, and who, during the time of depressed prices, merely converted the surplus produce of their farms into cash, by the operations of their forges, following the iron business as a secondary employment; whilst every man who made it his principal concern, who sold his iron and purchased his provisions and stock, was ruined. His forge, his lands, his goods and chattles, were all struck off under the sheriff's hammer, at public auction. He himself was driven to jail; his workmen were unemployed; some of them foliowed their employer to the jail; some emigrated to new countries; their families were reduced to abject want, and compelled to ask relief from the town, or resort to beggary. The sound of the axe and the forge hammer was no longer heard from the mountains, where, but a few years before, all was life, and action, and gladness.

Such, Mr. Speaker, was the actual condition of these unfortunate people; a condition, not the result of their idleness or prodigality, but of the neglect of their own Government, which had looked on as an unconcerned spectator, upon the ruin of our own citizens, accomplished by the policy of foreign Governments.

About the year 1819, a duty of seventy-five cents per cwt. or $15 per ton, was imposed, under which act many of those works gradually revived, and, with the most rigid economy, their owners were enabled for a time to pursue the business. The general peace of Europe, the disbanding of about 600,000 men, so long employed in arms, had the effect of reducing the price of labor to so law a degree, as to enable the manufacturers in Sweden and Russia and England to undersell

us.

The importations of iron in 1821, 1822, and 1823, have been so enormous, as to drive American iron from our market. Our average import

What is the objection to raising the duty on this article? It is said it will enhance the price to the consumer. I admit, Mr. Speaker, it may produce that effect for a limited period; but, in the end, the domestic competition will insure an abundant supply, and at a reasonable price. There is no greater fallacy, than the assertion, so often repeated, that increased duties always enhance the price of the article. On the contrary, I maintain that, when the Government has afforded a duty amounting to a protection from foreign importation, a reduction of price has followed. I would instance coarse cottons as a most conclusive and triumphant proof. In 1816, when the protective duty of twenty-five per cent. was enacted, with a minimum valuation of twenty-five cents per square yard, all the arguments which sophistry and mercantile cupidity could invent, were urged against the measure. All the gloomy predictions, now enforced against this bill, were arrayed. Commerce was to be destroyed; the Navy would be annihilated; the whole nation was to be taxed for the benefit of a few cotton spinners; the poor of the land would be compelled to pay double prices for the coarse garments they wore. The law, however, went into operation, and the coarse cottons of India were excluded. The trade in that article was cut off, and this is the only prediction in the whole catalogue which has been fulfilled. The wants of the country, in respect to coarse cottons, are most abundantly supplied; we produce, from the skill and industry of our own people, an article most essential to our comfort, of a quality vastly superior to any ever imported, and at a price greatly reduced. Sir, if this fact stood alone, it would speak volumes in favor of the policy of this bill. Gentlemen may tax their ingenuity as they please, to account for the success of this measure of national policy, and for the failure of their own predictions; they cannot mis