For the year ending 30th September, 1827, the quantity of hammered bar iron imported, over and above that re-exported, was 21,730 tons and 7cwt.; the cost abroad $1,199,525. Of rolled bar iron 7,905 tons and 3 cwt.: cost abroad $333,780; total, 29,635 tons; cost, $1,533,305. The quantity of pig iron imported, was 1,756 tons, equal to 1,171 tons, hammered bar iron; cost, $46,881. And here let me state, that it is a fair average computation to say, that 44 tons of iron ore, as wrought in the United States, will make one ton and a half of pig metal, and that this will make one ton of hammered bar iron.product. For all statistical or legislative purposes, it is sufficiently correct to say, that the importation for the last few years has been equal to 30,000 tons of hammered and rolled bar iron. The average cost abroad, of the whole quantity of hammered bar iron imported last year, was $55 20 per ton; of rolled bar and bolt, $42 22. Eight-tenths of the hammered bar and bolt iron comes from Sweden and Norway, nearly all the balance from Russia. The rolled bar and bolt iron comes almost exclusively from England. The Russia old sable is a very superior it on, and costs abroad about $62 per ton. New sable costs about $57, charges included; the freight to the U. States about $10 per ton; the duty $18 per ton, and sells at from 95 to $100, per ton. Swedish iron costs in Gottenburg, charges of shipment included, about $57 per ton, freight to the U. States 17 per ton, duty $18 per ton, and selis at from 94 to $98 per ton. Nearly all the rolled iron comes from

MARCH 5, 1828.1

Tariff Bill.

{H. OF R.

dation of additional protection to iron, by the Legislature The next section of the bill refers to wool and woollens. of the patriotic State of Pennsylvania was referred by the This is a most complicated subject, and I feel all the difHouse to the Committee on Manufactures, and from con-ficulty of so imparting the facts and calculations which viction of its propriety, the committee inserted it in con- governed the committee, as to be well understood in a junction with woollens and other matters, important to speech; yet it would be impossible for the committee to other States; and are they to be accused of having done do themselves justice before the House and the country, this for the purpose of weighing down the bill? Sir, the without placing before them some of the data which form accusation is unmerited. the basis of the bill. I shall attempt the task.

On the very day that bill was framed by the committee, the Legislature of the great State of New York, equal in population to all New England, by an almost unanimous vote, passed resolutions recommending iron to the protection of Congress. Were they also actuated by a disposition to weigh down the bill? The committee felt the importance of encouraging a home supply of one of the most valuable articles of civilized life. It is now in the power of the nation to give activity to present establishments, and to encourage new ones by reasonable additional duties, and thereby render the nation independent of the world for an article indispensably necessary both in peace and in war. The present is the time peculiarly propitious for this purpose, when capital is seeking every where for profitable investment. We now pro. duce two-thirds of the iron required by our wants, and we possess mountains of ore. New York and Virginia must, in a short time, produce abundance of iron. The ore of these States is excellent. New England, under the additional duty, will be able to put their now abandoned works into operation.

The custom-houses of the United States make no regular return of the number of pounds of wool imported. The laws impose 15 per cent. duty on wool invoiced as costing abroad not over ten cents per pound, and 30 per cent. on such as is invoiced as costing over ten cents per pound. The custom houses give the value of each class. The foreign cost of the wool imported, deducting what was re-exported, in the year ending 30th September, 1827, costing not over ten cents, was $174,788 Dutiable charges, equal to 7 per cent. 13,109

The foreign cost of wool, imported for the same period, The committee view iron as an article of the first ne- deducting that re-exported, and costing over ten cents, cessity, from its general use; and wish to encourage its was $233,739; 7 per cent. dutiable charges, and the 10 home manufacture; but, knowing that there are buyers per cent. added to this, gives the sum on which 30 per in the nation, as well as manufacturers of the article, they cent. was assessed, and gives the real duty, $74,313. The have proposed a moderate increase of duty. It was gra- whole foreign cost of imported wool, in 1827, was tifying to the committee to find that even those interest-408,527, and the actual duty $105,316. ed in its manufacture were moderate in their recommendations.

Iron-wire is next upon the bill. There were 846,910 lbs. imported in 1827, costing $79,257. The committee thought it especially important to our woollen and cotton manufactories, which require a large supply of wire for carding machines, as well as to some minor interests, to encourage the present establishments of the manufacture of this article, to extend their business, and thereby secure a full home supply, subject to no vicissitude by an interrupted trade. The importation is equal to 500 tons of iron. The increase of duty proposed is one cent per pound.

The 5th and 6th paragraphs relate to some of the coarser and heavier articles made of iron, such as axes, spades, &c. No particular remarks on these paragraphs are ne cessary. There is skill and material enough in the country to ensure full supplies, and of qualities decidedly better than the imported, which are usually made from very inferior English iron.

Although the custom house officers make no annual returns of the pounds of wool, yet the actual number of pounds imported into Boston, Philadelphia, and New York, can be officially given. There were imported into Boston, in 1827, 1,473,290 pounds of wool, costing abroad $132,452, averaging nine cents per pound.

The wool, costing over ten cents, imported into the same port, and in the same year, was 314,696 pounds, and cost $93,273. Of this, 124,000 pounds was Peruvian wool, costing 15 cents per pound, and amounting to $18, 600. Of the remainder, 109,319 pounds came from Great Britain, and the balance, 81,377 pounds, came principally from Spain.

Into Philadelphia, there were imported, in the same time, 4,942 pounds of wool, averaging not quite 8 cents per pound, and 208,931 pounds, costing $32,650, or an average of 15 cents. The greater part of this came from South America. That from Europe cost about 45 cents. Into New York, the importation, paying 15 per cent. was about 130,000 pounds, and averaged 8 cents nearly. That paying 30 per cent. was about 200,000 pounds, averag. ing 45 cents, but some much higher.

I come now to the article of steel, a modification of iron, most valuable, as well as wonderful, in its properties. It has become absolutely necessary in war and in peace. It It thus appears, that we have sufficient data to ascer is to iron what intellect is to strength. It is wonderful: tain with clearness the actual number of pounds, and the for the magnetic touch renders it to the mariner a miracu- general cost of wool imported into the United States. lous guide. It is required in almost all the arts of life, The lowest average is 8 cents, and the whole cost of wool and its manufacture should be established, even at the paying 15 per cent. being $174,788, gives, at 8 cents, 2, national expense. During the late war, it was impossible 174,788 pounds. This wool comes in very dirty, It is to procure what was essential for the defence of the na-in proof, that, when cleaned, it loses at least one half; tion in forming arms, and it rose in price from 15 to 75 cents per pound. It was the special policy of England, who engrossed the principal manufacture, to prevent its introduction into this country, even by smuggling. Dur. ing the last year, the quantity imported, more than the re-exportation, was, 2,273,376 pounds, and its cost abroad $280,000. Of this, 5-10ths came from Great Britian, 2 10ths from Trieste of Austria, and the greater part of the remainder from Holland.

VOL. IV.-111

but I shall estimate it to lose, when rendered as clean as our native wool, washed on the sheep's back, only 40 per cent, and then the actual number of pounds would be 1,304,873 pounds; but the price would of course be increased, abroad, to 134 cents, so as to produce the same amount; and if to this be added the expense of washing, it would then cost at least 14 cents. Thus it appears, that, if there were no duty whatever, this very quality of wool, brought in as clean as our common native fleece wool,

washed on the sheep's back, would cost at least 14 cents, and our native wool, in the fleece, is now sold at 20 to 25 cents.

[MARCH 5, 1828.

$105,316; and the proposition of the Hon. Chairman would enable the importer to lessen this almost one-half. By his proposition, more than half the wool imported, say To prevent the evasion of the present duty, by import- six-tenths, would fall under the 15 per cent. duty, and ing good but dirty wool, a direct or specific duty of 7 the fine wool would, under his proposition, be imported cents is proposed on every pound. This will be a cer- cheaper than at present. He proposes 20 cents per tain protection; and as the merchant and manufacturer pound on what costs over eight cents per pound, and no cannot evade it, they will reverse their plan, and import ad valorem ; the wool costing 564 cents, actually pays 20. only the cleanest wool, to save the duty. It will, in fact, | cents under the existing duty of 30 per cent. This be scoured with great care. As there is great difference seems untrue, but the custom house adds to the cost the in the foreign cost of clean wool, ranging, in fact, from dutiable charges, about 7 per centum, which, on 56 15 cents to $1 20, we have proposed a duty of 40 per cents, is 4 1-5 cents, making 60 2-3 cents; and 10 per cent. on the value, so as to protect the fine wool. To cent. on this amount, is 6 cents, making 66 2-3 cents, and prove the advantage of importing dirty wool, we will 30 per cent. on this, is 20 cents; therefore, under the give the following example: Under the existing law, proposition of the Chairman, the duty on foreign wool, imposing 15 per cent. on wool costing not over 10 cents, costing even as low as 85 cents, is diminished 10 cents and 30 per cent on wool costing over 10 cents, take one per pound, or one third of the present duty. The form pound of clean wool worth 20 cents. It pays 30 per proposed is specious, but injurious, and leaves the farmer cent. or 6 cents; add to this pound of wool one pound worse than at present. The duty on three-fifths of the of dirt, and invoice them at 10 cents; it would amount present importation would remain at 15 per cent ; and on to 20 cents; but this 20 cents, for two pounds of mixed the finest qualities, which now pay 30 per cent, would be wool and mud, would pay but 15 per cent. duty, or 3 actually diminished; even that costing as low as 30 cents, cents, exactly one half the duty on the pound of clean would be enhanced but 9 cents per pound. wool. By adopting this practice, the duty on 100,000 pounds of wool would amount to no more than $3,000, when, otherwise, it would amount to $6,000. A fact which will not escape the merchant, though it may the lawgiver.

Though the duty proposed will not greatly advance the price, the check to importation will, at once, create a demand on the American farmer for coarse wool, and large quantities, now on hand, will find a market. They may assort their fleece into at least two equal parcels; one may sell at 30, the other at 18 cents; so that, in fact, there will be a full supply, at an advance of about four cents per pound, on the lowest grade imported, (used for carpets, &c.) when washed equally clean with the native wool, grown in the United States

The wool costing over 10 cents, and paying 30 per cent. duty, imported last year, cost $233,739. One half of the amount paid, was for wool averaging 15 cents; the other half 45 cents. Of the latter, there were 259,710 pounds. Of that at 15 cents, there were 779,130 pounds; making the whole importation of the year, if brought to a state equal to wool, well washed, on the sheep's back, about 2,333,718 pounds, though the actual importation of wool and dirt, invoiced as wool, was 3,213,628 pounds, the whole costing, in fact, $408,527, and paying a duty of $105,316. From this we are able to estimate, with accuracy, the two fold effect of an ad valorem duty of 40 per cent. on an equal value of wool imported, and of a specific duty of seven cents on an equal number of pounds.

Let us now see the amount of protection proposed by the present bill to be extended to the manufacturer of woollens, and without deciding upon the increase of duty which may be proper, let me show what is proposed. 1 leave the question open. I will hear the voice of the manufacturer, and respect a proper claim. If the committee have misjudged, there are many here to prove and urge what may be right, but remembering that there were other interests to be regarded, let us see whether the alleged mighty and evident injustice has been done to the woollen manufacturers of the Eastern States, and whether the committee have stinted them whilst they have gorged the manufacturers of iron, the growers of wool, hemp, &c.

The total foreign cost of woollens, imported over the re-exportation, for the year ending September 30, 1827, excepting carpeting, was 8,020,290 dollars. There were 552,699 square yards of ingrain, and 152,913 square yards of Venetian and other carpeting imported in the same year, costing † 511,186, which paid a specific square yard duty, amounting to 190,729 dollars. The amount of duty paid on carpeting alone, was therefore greater, by 85,413 dollars, than the duty paid on all the wool imported in that year, though this, if clean, would have made nearly double the number of yards of carpeting imported; yet the manufacturers of woollens tell us that the present duty is ruinous to them. It cannot be that this is the fact. I am yet open to conviction as to what ought to be done for the inanufacturers, but I am perfectly convinced that the farmer has not too much on wool. Why his claims are so sedulously resisted, when the total operative amount is so small, I am at a loss to decide.

To the whole cost, $408,527, add 73 per cent. for dutiable charges, making $439,166. To this add, also, 10 per cent. as directed by law, on ad valorem articles, and Is there not something due to the farmer, who is called we have $483,082 on which the 40 per cent. is assessed, upon to advance the price of clothing? Is it not the nawhich gives $193,282; and seven cents per pound on tional policy to protect the valuable breeds of native and 2,333,713 pounds, gives $163,359, making the total duty Spanish sheep? To me it is of no immediate personal 356,592 dollars. From this sum, however, must be de-interest. I am not a wool-grower ; but I wish our system ducted an amount equal to the duty paid on the same of manufactures to be founded on home materials. What, quantity of wool for the year ending 30th of September, let me ask, was our situation during the last war? We 1827, to wit, 105,316 dollars: and we have 251,276 dol- had enough ingenuity, but we had not enough wool, to lars, as the whole aggregate increase of protection given make even blankets. What would be the situation of our by this bill to the farmers of the nation, on the wool of woollen manufactures, if they were founded on foreign not less than 16,000,000 of sheep. And this pittance of supply, in the event of interrupted trade, foreign export advantage, we are told, is to ruin the manufacturers, and duty, or war? Certain ruin must fall upon them. There drive them to despair, even under the great additional is no reason, which I can discover, which justifies the duty now proposed on woollens. great resistance to a substantial duty on wool. It must be because a small importation will keep down the price at home, or that the manufacturers now established fear that others, having an advantage, may locate themselves in the great wool-growing districts, if importation is stop

The whole value of an equal quantity of wool, import. ed last year, first cost, charges, and new duty, added, amounts precisely to 864, 123 dollars, and no more. The sum total of duty on wool imported last year, was but

ped. The manufacturers have invariably declared, on oath, that, if they had wool at the same price at which the manufacturer in England has it, they could afford to make flannel, cloths, and other woollens, as cheap as the English fabric. Taking this as correct, by their own declarations, (and the witnesses were, unquestionably, intelligent men,) let us now see what has been proposed by the committee.

Ingrain carpeting now pays 25 cents per square yard. It was understood that this would be embraced in the 40 cents minimum. It appears, however, that a small quan- | tity of very inferior carpeting, of this class, cost less than 50 cents. The article costs in England, from whence it comes, from 41 to 77 cents per square yard. It is made wholly of wool, and the square yard weighs, when finished, from one pound six ounces, to one pound ten ounces, and would require about two and a quarter pounds of wool, as washed on the sheep's back, to make it. Supposing that the inferior half of our native fleece was furnished at seventeen cents per pound, the whole cost of the wool, to make a yard of carpeting, would only be thirty-eight and a quarter cents, and this class of carpeting was believed by the committee to be subject to the duty of forty cents per square yard, under the bill. It appears, from subsequent information, that a small part imported would not be included; and to supply this omis. sion, the committee will offer an amendment to the bill. Carpeting is now made of foreign wool.

[H. of R.

on the sheep, one and a quarter pounds, at thirty two cents per pound, worth forty cents. The average increase forty per cent. ; yet, we stint the manufacturer, although we give a protection equal to the cost of the wool in the United States.

Cassimeres 38. 5d. sterling, are twenty-seven inches wide, and now pay 38 2-100 cents duty. We propose one dollar-greatest increase, 61 98-100 cents. Those costing 88. sterling, now pay 86 90-100 cents-least increase 13 10-100 cents-average increase 37 4-100 cents, on 62 46-100 cents, being upwards of 60 per cent. The wool required, as washed on the sheep, is 14 pounds, and is worth say 50 cents per pound, cost 62 cents. The cassimere weighs about 12 ounces when finished. Here the manufacturer has protection to the whole cost of the wool, and 374 cents over; yet we are about to ruin them! Broad cloths at 18. 8d. sterling, 404 inches wide. They now pay 12 7-100 cents per square yard. We propose 40 cents-the least increase 27 92-100 cents. Those costing 78. sterling, 58 inches wide, pay 35 41-100 cents per square yard-least increase 4 59-100 cents-average increase 16 26-100 cents, on 23 74-100 cents, or about 67 per cent. The square yard requires 14 pounds of wool, which, if worth 32 cents a pound, is 40 cents. Here the committee have given a protection equal to the whole value of the wool at its cost in the United States, although the manufacturers have sworn that, if they had the wool as low as the English manufacturer pays for it, they could make cloth as cheap ; yet the committee are said to stint the manufacturer, while they gorge the wool grower! On the cloths costing abroad from 100 to 250 cents the square yard, or 175 cents the running yard. The duty now paid on a square yard of cloth costing abroad 101 cents, (7s. 6d. sterling, 58 inches wide,) is 37 92-100 cents-greatest increase 62 8-100 cents. That which costs 250 cents, (108. 6d. sterling, 63 inches wide,) now pays 90 80-100 cents-least increase 9 20-100 centsaverage increase 34 64-100 cents, on 64 36-100 cents, or nearly 60 per cent. The square yard of this cloth requires 14 pounds of wool, worth from 30 to 50 cents per pound in the United States-say an average of 40 cents, and therefore costing 50 cents. In this case, the committee have given, as a protection, the whole cost of the wool, and half a dollar over; and yet we hear complaints, although the manufacturers have sworn, as before stated, that, if they could get wool on equal terms, they could cope with the British manufacturer! Cloths costing abroad from 251 cents to 4 dollars per square yard-that is, 437 cents to 8 dollars the running yard, the committee propose to value as costing 4 dollars per square yard, and to charge with a duty of 40 per cent. This will give 176 cents on the square yard, or 308 cents the running yard, as the duty is ad valorem, and of course will be assessed on the cost and dutiable charges, and ten per cent. on these.

By an accurate calculation of a practical custom-house officer, whose business it is to fix the value of imported goods, and on whose correctness millions depend, it is shown that flannels, costing four pence sterling, the low-square yard, the committee propose a duty of 1 dollar the est rates, and which, of course, come under the proposed minimum of sixteen cents the square yard, now pay a duty equal to 5 16-100 cents-greatest increase 10 84100 cents. Those which cost twenty-one pence sterling, thirty-three inches wide, now pay 15 56-100 cents-least increase 44-100 cents-average increase 5 69-100 cents. This, on ten and a half cents, the present average duty, is upwards of fifty per cent. increase. The wool required to make this square yard of flannel, is less than half a pound, as washed on the sheep's back; and the flannel, when finished, weighs about five ounces the square yard. Supposing the fabric to be made of wool, costing even as high as thirty-two cents per pound, the manufacturer has a protection equal to the whole cost of the wool. The average increase of duty proposed, is upwards of fifty per cent. on the existing duty, and yet, it is said we stint this interest!

Take baize as another example. The square yard, costing sixpence sterling for a running yard of thirty-seven inches wide, now pays 3 96-100 cents the square yard-increase 12 4-100 cents. On that costing twenty pence sterling, forty-five inches wide, the square yard now pays 10 7-100 cents; least increase, 5 93-100 cents. Average increase, nine cents on the present average duty of seven cents, or about 130 per cent. The weight, when finished, averages eight ounces, is made of the inferior wool, and requires three fourths of a pound, which, even at twenty cents, would be worth but fifteen cents. Here, too, on baize, the duty is not only greater than the difference of the cost of the wool, but greater than its whole cost in the United States, as we propose a duty of sixteen cents.

Coarse Cassimeres: The lowest embraced by the forty cents minimum, cost 1s. 6d. sterling, for a running yard, twenty-four inches wide. The present duty per square yard is equal to 18 33-100 cents-greatest in crease, 21 67-100 cents. The highest 3s. 3d. sterling, twenty-seven inches wide, pays 37 30-100 cents-least increase 2 70-100 cents: average increase 11 18-100 cents, on 26 81-100 cents, or forty per cent. The weight about thirteen ounces. The wool required, as washed

Cloths of this class, costing 251 cents per square yard, (20s. sterling for a yard 63 inches wide,) now pay 93 12-100 cents-greatest increase 84 88-100 cents. Those costing 4 dollars, (31s. 6d. sterling, 63 inches wide,) now pay 146 10-100-least increase 29 90-100 cents-medium increase 57 39-100 cents, on 120 cents, or about 50 per cent. These are made of fine wool, worth in the United States from 80 to 120 cents per pound. One pound and a quarter of wool, worth 125 cents, would be required for a square yard of cloth. The duty proposed is 176 cents the square yard as protection, or the whole cost of the wool, and 51 cents over; and yet the committee are said to have done injustice. This assertion is made, notwithstanding the manufacturers have sworn, that, if they had wool as cheap as the foreign manufacturers, they could afford to make cloth at the same price.

Sir, said Mr. S., I regret that I have been compelled to

be thus detailed. A speech of figures and of facts is a severe and an unpleasant duty; but circumstances must justify this course. By imparting some of the facts and calculations which influenced the committee in their decision on the subjects of wool and woollens, I have endeavored to bring bold assertion to the standard of truth; to arraign misrepresentation at the bar of judgment, and to fix some known points in the path of reason, to prevent her being led by interest to wander in the mists of

error.

[MARCH 5, 1823.

weigh 13 ounces. They are made 30 inches wide. Even here, the committee have given more than the difference in the cost of wool in England and the United States, as it will not be pretended that a pound and a half of wool, fit for making these cloths, can be had in England for 11 cents. In fact, it cannot be had for 20 cents.

The real increase of duty is a considerable per centage on the former duty, though the committee are aware that the minimum of 16 cents per square yard seems low. Let me state some other considerations, which, in addition to those given, had weight with the committee in fixing the 16 cent minimum. The committee may have been wrong; if so, the House will determine.

Let me here remark, that, in fixing the duties on the more costly woollens, the committee place them comparatively high. In this, they believed they oppressed no one. If the proud or vain wish to gratify themselves, the Sir, there was a time when these States, emerging from committee were disposed to let them pay for this indul- a bloody struggle for liberty and law, found themselves gence; they would probably prize the garment more for acknowledgedly free, but there was no sufficient bond of being costly. If their purse could not afford a fine coat, union to hold them together. A conviction prevailed, they could descend in the scale, and buy one at a lower that the strength of all was essential to the security of price. This would be a sacrifice of pride, not of comfort. each, and union, harmony, and disinterestedness, were I do not myself object to pride. It is a noble trait in the the order of the day. The patriots of the Revolution character of man, when it incites him to virtuous, just, met to form a compact, and frame a Constitution, based and honorable actions. The pride of character, however, on equity and mutual benefit; and though great and is one thing, the pride of wearing a fine coat is very dif- seemingly insurmountable difficulties were to be overferer.t. I care not how much this is taxed: but when we come, yet the generous spirit of fraternity which pervad come to the cloths that are necessary to the poor man, ed the land, led to such compromise and concessions as who, from his scanty earnings, must feed, and clothe, and removed all the obstacles to a compact noble in its pur educate, his impoverished family; when we come to him, pose, successful in its experiment. Under this Constitu who, pressed by necessity's hard hand, has sacrificed his tion our nation has grown in numbers, wealth, and power, pride, and become a companion of adversity; when we with unexampled rapidity. The wisdom of the adjustcome to such cloths as are essential to him who is strugments made by these patriots, in order to give existence gling to obtain the means of buying even the cheapest to our happy Constitution, I will not question. It is sort to shelter him and his, we endeavored to touch it enough for me to know the compact which exists, and more lightly. We had some reference to the inability of the Constitution recognizing it, which I have sworn to such persons to buy even the cheapest kind. We did support, and which I will support, in its true spirit and think the laboring classes entitled to special protection; in all its applications. that this protection was due, as well to this class of our citizens, as to the wealthy incorporated companies of the Eastern States. Yet, even here, desirous of cherishing the valuable manufactures of woollens, we gave protection at least equal to what the witnesses, when under oath, implied was requisite. The woollen manufactories ought to be cherished; they are of national importance; a large capital is invested; skill is acquired, and the best results may be anticipated. But Government is a balance of interests, and all are to be considered. The committee have, therefore, kept down the duty on the lower priced cloth worn by our laboring poor, but the proposed duty, even on these, they think, will fully protect the manufac

turer.

That compact settled the question as to a certain class of human beings. They cannot become owners of property. They cannot acquire the means of purchase. The Constitution of these States subjects them to the interests of others; and will those who feel, or affect to feel, superior sympathy, forget that it may be an act of widespreading practical humanity to keep down the value of the clothing usually bestowed? Can they who are preaching philanthropy, forget their own doctrines, and tempt the master to stint the man? To me it has been a subject of regret to find irritating references made to this class, so circumstanced. Your compact has been madewhy not observe it in an honorable spirit! If a morbid sensibility exists, why excite it? If a sore, why is it to There is also a class of cloths imported, which, by this be constantly irritated? The committee knew that prebill, falls under the 16 cents per square yard duty, called vious legislatures lightened the duty on cloths necessawhite plains, negro cloths, &c. These are from 23 to 28 ry to this class of beings. The tariff of 1824 imposes a inches wide, and cost in England from 12 cents to 34 duty of only 25 per centum on this description of cloth, cents the running yard, or from 19 to 47 cents the square whilst it imposes 33 on all other. Your committee have yard. Those costing 12 cents the running yard, now pay preserved the same proportion, as nearly as possible. Your 5 21-100 cents the square yard, as the existing duty is but committee were willing to impute to this body, also, a 25 per centum on those costing not over 33 cents the little practical legislative benevolence. They felt no dissquare yard, instead of 33 per centum, as paid on other position to depart from the discriminating spirit of the cloths-greatest increase 10 79-100 cents. Those cost-existing laws, nor to be accessary to a diminution of the ing 33 cents the square yard, now pay 10 cents duty the comfort of the humblest being of our land. Let us, also, square yard-least increase 6 cents-average increase in pursuance of previous example, ascertain what is just 8 40-100 cents. Those costing 47 cents, now pay 15 98- and beneficial; and, rejecting a spirit of contention, unite 100 cents-least increase 2-100 cents-average increase in measures best calculated for the common interest. 5 40-100 cents, on the present medium duty, of 10 60100 cents, or 50 per centum.. These cloths can be made of wool from the head, neck, and belly of the sheep, and which wool may even now be had, when assorted, as washed on the sheep, at 16 cents per pound, or less. The quantity of this, required to make a square yard of cloth, is 10 pounds; the whole cost of the wool, at 18 cents per pound, will be 27 cents. Those made in the United States, exclusively of wool, weigh 17 ounces when finished; when partly of wool and partly of cotton, they

Before I quit the subject of wool and woollens, allow me to set one matter, on which much has been said, in its true light. I refer to the repeal of the duty on wool, which took place in England in 1824, and which our man. ufacturers allege, had a great effect in enabling the British manufacturers to undersell them. The facts [are briefly these: For two hundred years the English Government had rigidly prohibited the exportation of sheep or wool. The penalties were heavy fines and imprisonment; and, in certain contingencies, transportation, and