composing each class is given; but the kind, quantity, or value of any particular article, is not stated. Our exports of articles of foreign production have, generally, been great. In the three years preceding the first of October, 1799, and in the three years preceding the first of October, 1807, the exports of articles of foreign production considerably exceeded the exports of our domestic products. In other years, the exports of foreign merchandise have been more than one third, and in others, more than one fourth, of all our exports. At present, the exports of foreign merchandise are more than one fourth of the whole exports. Of these exports of foreign merchandise, about one third has generally consisted of articles which paid ad valorem duties as imports. The exports of these articles which paid ad valorem duties as imports, have amounted, upon an average of the last twenty three years, to more than nine millions of dollars for each year. From the present statements, we know not what these exports paying ad valorem duties as imports, really are. The exports of this particular classs are important, not only from their amount, but also as including those foreign manufactures which enter into competition with our own manufactures in our own markets. It will be useful that we should know the kinds, quantities, and values, of the principal articles of these exports with more distinctness than at present appears. And it will not be difficult to select from these exports those of the principal kinds, which are considerable in amount, and to state such parts of them separately, by their kinds, quantities, and values. afterwards exported with drawback of duties, the value assigned to them, as exports, is the foreign cost of the articles, with an addition to that cost of twenty per centum, if the goods came from beyond the Cape of Good Hope, and ten per centum if they came from any other place. This is the manner of valuing these exports, at some of the principal ports. At some other ports, it appears that the valua tion of these exports, furnished by the master of the vessel, is received and returned to the treasury, without alteration. Where the exports are articles of foreign origin, which were free from duty upon importation, or were subject to ad valorem duties as imports, and are subsequently exported without drawback of duties; the valuation given by the master of the vessel is generally adopted by the collector, and returned to the treasury. Thus, the valuations of the exports, which ap. pear in the statements of the treasury, are made partly and principally by the collectors, and partly by the masters of vessels. The principle established for the valuation of the exports, by the ninety-third section of the act of the second of March, 1799, is, that each article shall be stated according to its actual value at the port and time of exportation. As the cargo is generally pur. chased at the port of exportation, and its value there may always be known, it seems to have been supposed that the true cost, or actual value of the cargo, would be always known to the master of the vessel, and that he would state the cost or value, accurately to the collector. Hence, the only pro. Where the exports consist of foreign goods vision of law, for obtaining valuations of the exwhich were free from duty as imports, the total ports, is that which requires a statement of the va value of all these exports is stated in one sum,lue of the cargo from the master of the vessel. But without a specification of the kind, quantity, or va it is found, in practice, that the statements of values lue, of any particular article. The exports of some by the master, are generally loose and uncertain, of these articles are considerable, and the kinds of and often very incorrect. As the master is seldom the articles are not numerous. It will be easy to the owner of the cargo, he is, in general, ignorant state either the whole of these exports, or those of of the price paid for it, or its real value. The ownthem which are of considerable amount, by the er of the cargo, or the agent who purchases it, is kinds, quantities, and values, of particular articles. not required to furnish any account of it, or to In determining the values of the exports, the make any statement of its value. The master alone collectors reject the valuation furnished by the is required to state the value: he, therefore, states master of the vessel, whenever they think proper the value by conjecture, or according to such in ́to do so, and make their own valuation, which they formation as he may receive from the shipper; and return to the treasury. There is some diversity in the shipper is at liberty to give any information, or the practice of different collectors, in respect to no information, upon that point. The oath, which the cases in which they substitute their own valua- is the only security for a true statement of the va tion for that of the master, and also in respect to the lue, is required from the master, and not from the principles upon which the valuations of the collec-owner or exporter of the articles valued. tors are made. The course pursued at some of the principal ports will be stated, and will show, in general, the methods by which the exports have been valued. The collectors, in most cases, reject the valuations of the master, and make their own valua tions. This practice, though a deviation from law, has, probably, tended to furnish valuations more Where the exports are products of the United correct than those of the masters of vessels in all States, or products of foreign countries which pay the cases in which the collectors have founded their specific duties upon importation, the valuation is valuations upon real market prices. But, in the generally made by the collector, in the following case of exports of goods of foreign origin, where manner. The valuation furnished by the master of the collector states the value of the exports, at the the vessel is entirely disregarded. The current prices of each article at the port of exportation, during the whole quarter of the year in which the goods are exported, are collected from such information as the collector may possess or procure; and, from all the different prices, a mean value of the article is deduced, which is the same through the whole quarter. The average value of each article, thus derived from the several market prices of the the quarter, is the value assigned to the article by the collector during that quarter. When the exports are articles of foreign origin, which pay ad valorem duties as imports, and are foreign cost of the articles, with additions of ten and twenty per centum, a strange anomaly takes place. The collector rejects the master's valua tion, not in order to adopt the market value of the articles, but in order to substitute a prior foreign price of the articles, with uniform additions of ten and twenty per centum. This mode of valuation is entirely artificial. It must, in general, represent these exports as worth considerably less than their real value here; since they are, in general, worth much more in our markets than the foreign cost, with the additions of ten and twenty per centum. The master's valuation, erroneous as it often is, would give the value of these exports more accu- them to make advances or payments, for our exports rately, than such valuations of the collector, toa y part of Europe, when those exports are placed There are sufficient reasons to believe, that the ge- under their control. These, and other causes, make neral tendency of the present methods of valuation England, the channel through which we receive has been, in some degree, to overrate the exports, payment for a great part of our exports to the conand to state them somewhat higher than their real tinent of Europe. In this course of things, very values at the ports of exportation. The degree of considerable quantities of our exports, which are this exaggeration cannot be determined. It is, how-carried to the continent of Europe and first landed ever, believed to be not very considerable. With there, depart nominally for England; and are now some abatement for this excess, the valuations of stated as exported to England. Considerable quanthe exports may be considered as nearly correct. tities of our exports, are also cleared for Gibraltar, The statements of exports appear to show the and are stated as exports to Gibraltar. Nearly all foreign countries to which the exports are sent; the these articles go into the Mediterranean, and are several countries are specified, and the amount ex-first landed in the different countries adjacent to ported to each is stated. This part of the state-that sea. Hence, our exports to England and Gibiments is generally regarded as showing the respec- raltar, have been swelled far beyond their real tive amounts of our exports received by different amount in the statements of exports. The true foreign countries. But the statements do not show amount of these exaggerations can not be known; with certainty, the amounts of our exports received but they are, undoubtedly, very considerable. In by particular countries. They exhibit merely the some other branches of our foreign commerce, in reported destinations of the vessels in which the which it is known, that the voyage, in general, really is that which is announced, we may rely upon the exports depart. The destination of the vessel and cargo, is treat-reported destination, as sufficiently showing the ed at the custom house, as a matter of no moment, foreign country which receives the exports. Withfarther than to obtain the name of some foreign out such a knowledge of the actual course of trade, place, to be inserted in the manifest and clearance. we cannot rely upon any part of the present stateThe master of a vessel bound from this country,ments, as exhibiting, accurately, the amount of our states at the custom house, any foreign place which exports to any foreign country. The destinations he pleases to name, as the destination of the vessel; are now reported by the master alone, with so much and his declaration is received, without further in- looseness and inaccuracy, that this part of the subquiry. The destinations thus reported, are return-ject is left in much uncertainty. ed to the treasury, and are there given, in the statements of exports, as the countries to which the goods are exported. But the true destination is sometimes concealed, to prevent competition in the commerce really intended: and, when their is an apprehension of capture, a false destination may be announced, in order that it may appear in the clearance if that document should fall into the hands of captors. When a true destination is given, The statements of imports consist of certain ma it is, frequently, the first foreign port at which the terials which are brought into the treasury, by the vessel is intended to touch for advice or refresh- laws imposing duties on goods imported into the ments, while the real destination of the cargo, is United States, and regulating the collection of those for some other country: or, the ultimate destina.duties. They present the facts which are ascernation may be, contingently, for one of several tained for the purpose of levying those duties, and countries, according to the state of markets, or nothing more. It is proposed, that the exporter shall join with the master of the vessel, in furnishing the account of the exports, and in stating their value and their true destination. This provision will, probably, prove sufficient, to obtain accurate statements of the kinds, quantities, and values of the exports, and of their true destinations. IMPORTS. other circumstances. The destination may be All the imports are either free from duty, or subchanged, after the clearance is obtained, or at any time after the vessel leaves the port of departure.ject to duty; and those articles which are subject to It is not uncommon to declare the destination and duty, are charged either with duty on the quantity, take a clearance for the West Indies, generally or with duty on the value. Goods free from duty, have never been comprised in the statements of imA clearance is, sometimes, taken for Europe, Asia, or Africa. In all such cases, the particular country, ports in any manner whatever. Such merchandise is entered at the custom houses and landed under to which the cargo is really destined, is left uncertain. But it is, principally, in our commerce with permission, like goods subject to duty; but no reEurope, that the reported destinations do not tru-turn or account of it, is given to the treasury. ly show the countries which first receive our ex. There is, accordingly, a total omission of all goods free from duty, in all the official statements of imports. Clearances for great quantities of our exports. ports are taken for England, or for England and a The statements of the treasury, present only market, and, for Cowes and a market. Some of these exports are landed in England; but a great the imports subject to duty. These imports are portion of them is carried to the countries on the presented, under the two general heads of goods European continent, and first landed there. Engsubject to specific duty, and goods subject to ad land is a great mart; and is, in some respects, the valorem duty. centre of the commerce of Europe. In England, The kinds and the quantities of the imports sub. information of the state of markets upon the conti-ject to specific duties, are ascertained by the offi The statements of the trea nent of Europe may always be obtained. Our own cers of the customs. commerce and mercantile connections with Eng-sury, accordingly, present all the articles subject land, are great. The balance of our trade with to specific duties with accuracy, in respect to their England, is uniformly and largely against us; and kinds and quantities. this balance is discharged, principally, by our ex But the official statements present no valuation ports to the European continent. The great capi-whatever, of any of the articles subject to specific tals of the British merchants, and their mercantile duties. These articles are not valued at the cusconnections with every country in Europe, enable (tom houses, or at the treasury. The imports subject to ad valorem duties, are presented in a very different form. All articles which pay the same rate of duty, are consolidated into one mass; and the total value of that mass is given in the official statements. There is no specification of any particular article, by name or description; no statement of the quantity or value of any single article; and, it does not appear, what particular articles belonging to the class of those pay. ing the same rate of duty have really been imported, or not. As many columns are stated, as there are rates of ad valorem duties; and under each column, the aggregate value of all the imports paying the same rate of duty, and nothing else is stated. The imports subject to ad valorem duties, are valued at the custom houses. The foreign cost of the articles in the countries from which they come, is first ascertained. An addition is then made to that cost, of twenty per centum, when the merchandise is imported from any place beyond the Cape of Good Hope; and ten per centum, when it is imported from any other place. These total sums, so composed, are returned to the treasury, as the values of these imports; and the same values are assigned to them, in the statements of the treasury. It thus appears: From the 1st of October, 1809, to the From the 1st of October, 1814, to the 1,322,023 1,495,984 586,180 57,601 953 758,869 1,448,548 800,812 1,790,035 15,280,340 Total amount of the 14 years These exports thus appear to have exceeded one million of dollars annually, upon an average of the last fourteen years. From the best means of judging which are possessed, it is estimated, that the imports free from duty, which have been consumed in the United States, for the last fifteen years, have 1. That the imports, free from duty, are not in-nually. Our present consumption of these articles, amounted, at least, to four millions of dollars an cluded in the statements. probably exceeds that sum. Assuming this esti 2. That no account whatever, is given of the va-mate, and supposing that the annual exports of lue of the imports subject to specific duties. 3. That goods subject to ad valorem duties, are not distinguished in their kinds, so as to afford any useful information; that their quantities are not given at all; and that their values are blended into certain gross sums, without showing the value of any single article. these articles amounted to one million of dollars, our imports of articles free from duty, is at least, we must conclude, that the total annual amount of five millions of dollars. These articles, whatever may be their true amount, have never entered into the public statements of imports. Surely, they are 4. That the valuations given to the imports sub- have their place in the statistical accounts of our of sufficient importance to be known. They should ject to ad valorem duties, are made upon an erro-imports. They are not only as important as any neous principle. But these points demand a more particular consi-imports can be justly considered more important other articles of equal amount; but, if any class of deration. than another, it must be that which we invite to our The omission of all the imports free from duty, country, by exempting it from burdens imposed is an obvious defect. A chasm of unknown extent, upon the introduction of all other merchandise. is here left in the statements of our imports. The More than one third of all the merchandise imimportance of this omission may be at once conceiv-ported into the United States, consists of articles ed by adverting to the catalogue of articles, free subject to specific duties. The whole of this great from duty, and to the large importations of many mass of imports, is presented without any stateof them, which are known to take place. Copper, ment of its value. The thirty sixth section of the brass, tin, furs, hides, plaster of paris, and the dy-act of the second of March, 1799, regulating the ing woods, without specifying other articles free collection of duties, requires valuations of imports from duty, form a very large amount of our im- subject to specific duties, as well as of others, but ports. The true amount of the imports free from in practice, ho valuation of these articles is made. duty, cannot be estimated with much accuracy; | As valuations of these articles are not necessary for but a probable opinion of their amount, may be any purpose of revenue, the object of the legisla formed. The amount of the export of these arti-ture in this provision, must have been, to procure cles is known; for, singular as it may be, the ex- authentic valuations of these imports, for the geports of these articles are given, though we have neral purposes for which statistical accounts of im no account of the same articles as imports. The ports are useful. The statements of these imports, exports of articles which had been previously im- as they are now furnished, are, in a great degree, ported, and were free from duty as imports, are useless, for want of valuations. stated by the treasury to have amounted in value, to the following sums, in the following years: From the 1st of October, 1804, to the Dollars. More than one half of all our imports, are articles subject to duty on their value. These articles are stated in such a manner, as, in effect, to give no information of the kind, quantity, on value, of any 1,641,725 one article imported. Thus, we find in the statements, that the goods paying ad valorem duties at 2,383,910 the rate of fifteen per centum, which were import ed during the year ending on the thirtieth of Sep2,080,114 tember, 1817, amounted, in value, to 14,082,903 dollars; and this is all that we learn concerning 370,341 those goods. If we inquire what those goods were, the statements afford no answer. We know in543,242 deed, that the imports which are subject to a duty of fifteen per centum on the value, are all articles, so, appears from the invoice of the importer. The which are not free and not subject to any other custom house thus obtains an account of the kind, rate of duty. We can therefore determine what quantity and value, of every import, subject to those goods were not; that is to say, that they were ad volorem duty. But these facts are not given not any of the articles which are either free from in the accounts returned to the treasury. In those duty, or are charged with some rate of duty dif- accounts, the kinds, quantities, and values, of parferent from fifteen per centum. It is impossible ticular articles, are not stated. All articles which to discover from the statements, what those goods pay the same rate of duty, are placed in one class; amounting to 14,082,903 dollars, really were. If and the aggregate value of the whole class is given. we desire to learn how much, either in quantity or In the present practice of the custom houses, no value, of woollen cloth, or of any other article paying account of the quantities, or values of particular the same rate of duty with woollen cloth has been im- articles is preserved. The invoice of the importported, we search these statements in vain for that er is returned to him, after the amount of the duty purpose. We know the rate of duty to which woollen is ascertained. But an account of the denomina cloth is subject; and we find, that the aggregate va- tion of the article, its quantity, and its value, may lue of all the imports subject to that rate of duty, be kept and returned to the treasury. amounted to a certain sum. But, whether woollen It is not proposed, that a distinct account should cloth was, or was not, one of the articles imported be kept at the custom houses, or given in the stateand comprehended in this total value, does not ap-ments of imports, of the kind, quantity, and value pear. The aggregate value given in the state of every article subject to ad valorem duty. This ments, may result from all, from one, or from any would be an extreme of minuteness, without utility. part of all the articles charged with the same rate The articles subject to ad valorem duties, compre of duty. The articles which belong to one class, hend the finer manufactures; and those manufactures as paying the same rate of duty, are very numerous; are now so numerous, and so various in their denomand the importations of the particular articles of inations, that an account of the imports of each one each class, are very different in amount at differ- of them, by its peculiar denomination would be far ent times. The only conclusion, concerning any too prolix. It is proposed, to select from these imparticular article, which can be derived from the ports, such of them as are great in amount,, and statements is, that if that article has been imported such of them as come into competition here with at all, its value is comprised in the aggregate value like articles manufactured, in any considerable of all the articles which pay the same duty. It degree in the United States; and to state such imdoes not appear whether any particular article has ports, separately from all others, and from each been imported or not. other, by their kinds quantities, and values. Thus, Among the imports subject to ad valorem duties, manufactures of cotton, woolen manufactures, and are those which enter into competition with our manufactures of iron, are three great classes of own manufactures of the like articles; as, for ex-imports, which should be stated distinctly. Manuample, the various fabrics of wool, cotton, and iron. factures of flax, and those of silk, may be also stated Yet, we are without any authentic information of separately. Some of these general heads may be the quantities, or values, of all these various ma- susceptible of subdivisions, which would be useful. nufactures which we receive from other countries. Other particular imports, of sufficient importance We know, in general, that the importations of these to be distinctly known, should be separately stated, manufactures are great; and a deplorable proof that But it does not seem expedient, to define the cases they are very great, is found in the ruin which in which special statements of particular articles they have brought upon many of our citizens, who should be given, otherwise than by the general have engaged in similar manufactures. But this principles which have been mentioned. The apgeneral knowledge, even when combined with all plication of those principles, and the selection of the particulars which they, who are best informed particular cases, for special statements, will most upon this subject can communicate, affords no ac- properly be left to the officers who compile the curate account of facts. Do you ask how much, statements. Under a general direction, they will either in quantity or value, of manufactures of iron be able to determine the cases in which special of wool, or of cotton, is now imported into the Unit- statements will be useful, and to reach the judicious ed States, or has been imported, within any of the medium between too much uncertainty on the one last thirty years? Your question is indeed, inter-side, and unnecessary minuteness on the other. esting; but it cannot be answered by any official or When all the cases, which are worthy of distinct authentic statement of our imports. It is peculi- statements, shall have been selected, the residue of arly desirable, that we should possess accurate in these imports may be stated in such aggregates or formation of the amount of imported manufactures, classes, as may be convenient. in those cases in which our own consumption is The imports subject to ad valorem duties, are supplied, partly by the industry of our own citi-stated as being of the value of their foreign cost, zens, and partly from foreign countries. The im- with additions of ten or twenty per centum to that ports of this character, involve a great question of cost. These additions to the foreign cost, are altonational policy. As they are augmented or diminished, our own manufactures are depressed or relieved. It is now evident, that some of the most important of our own manufactures, require the aid of the government, to support them against the pressure of foreign competition. Correct information of the kinds and amount of these imports may be easily obtained. When goods, subject to ad valorem duties are imported, the kind of each article is ascertained, in order to ascertain the rate of duty to which it is subject; and its value is ascertained, in order to ascertain the amount of the duty. The quantity of the article al gether artificial. They are prescribed by the acts concerning the duties; perhaps, in order to adapt the duties to the foreign cost of the articles, so as to levy the same revenue upon like articles, whether imported from Europe or from India. The same effect to the revenue would, however, be produced, if the duty were ten per centum higher, and the European article were valued at its foreign cost merely, and the like article from India were valued at its foreign cost, with an addition of ten per cent. The same effect to the revenue, would also result, if the European article and the article from India were each, respectively, valued at the foreign cost of them. The imports which come from beyond the Cape of Good Hope, may be selected from those which come from other places; the whole may be thus separated into two classes, and the total amount of each class may be obtained. When this has been done, it will be known that the first class is that which has received an addition of twenty per centum to its foreign cost, and the second is that which has received an addition of ten per centum to its foreign cost; and those additions may then be subtracted. But this resort to calculation, must be unavailing to all who are not informed of the error in question, or know not the process by which it may be corrected. The liberty to correct errors is not sufficient. Every fact which is worthy of a place in statistical accounts, should be so stated, as to require no calculation to render it more true. What then is the true principle upon which im. ports and exports should be valued? The question is thus stated, because it is equally applicable to imports and exports, and to every part of both. merely, if the duty on the European artiole were, at the same time, ten per centum higher, and the duty on the article from India twenty per centum higher, than they now are. The real and sole effect of raising the valuation, is to augment the duty. It cannot be said, that the foreign cost, when augmented by one-tenth or one-fifth of that cost, is the true value of the imports in this country. The true value of a thing can never be assessed and declared by law. It is always a fact, depending upon the utility of the thing for the time being; or, in other words, upon the supply of the article and the wants of mankind. Whether, therefore, the legislator declares a permanent value of imports, as in England, or a variable value, with fixed and uniform additions, as here, he never determines the true value of any article. Such regulations of value may, perhaps, be convenient as fiscal rules; because they may tend to render the duties equal in effect, upon different importers; or they may serve to produce the amount of revenue intended to be levied. But they do not represent facts as they are. Nor can it be 1. Commodities have different values in different supposed, that the imports from the countries be- countries; and the object of foreign commerce is yond the Cape of Good Hope, when increased by to obtain the higher value which an article bears in one-fifth, and other imports, when increased by one- the country to which it is sent. Both the lower and tenth, of their foreign value, afford an average of the higher value are equally real; and both are facts their value here; or that these gross sums are a just which may be stated, when they are known. The equation of the values of these imports in this coun- first, or lower value, always belongs to the country try. The fact is not so. The imports from beyond from which the article is exported. The additional the Cape of Good Hope must be considered as in value may accrue to any country whatever. When general worth here, at least, seventy per centum an article is sent from one country to another, the more than their foreign cost: and the imports from price paid for it as an export, is universally paid by Europe, may be estimated to be, in general, at least the country which buys to the country which sells. thirty-five per centum more valuable here than in The same article now arrives in the country to the countries from which they come. The duties which it is sent. There its value is much greater alone, upon a great part of these imports, are more than the sum paid for it as an export. The addithan ten and twenty per centum of their foreign tional value is there received, and it becomes discost. If the duties on these imports were added to tinguished, in its application, into two parts; the the foreign cost, the sum obtained in that manner, expense of transportation, and the profit of the would approach far more nearly to the value of the merchant. Other facts, which may increase or af imports here than the amount obtained by the fixed fect the enhanced value, are here laid out of view. additions of ten and twenty per centum to the fo. Freight and mercantile profit must necessarily be reign cost. But, without regard to the duties, if defrayed by this additional value. The expense of there were any propriety in the idea of attempting transporting the article, and some profit to the mer. to ascertain the true value of the imports here, by chant, must both be obtained in the augmented vafixed additions to the foreign cost, which might be lue of the article; for, otherwise, nothing would be equal to the additional value which the articles gained, and the commerce would not take place. generally bear here, those additions should be far The expense of transportation is paid to the counhigher than ten and twenty per centum. It is evi- try which carries the article; and the profit of the dent, that the official statements do not furnish the merchant is paid to the country to which he betrue value of these imports. If we seek to learn longs. The expense of transportation is always the value of the goods in the foreign countries from paid to the country whose ships and seamen are which they are brought, the statements do not give employed in that service; and the navigation emthat fact. If we desire to know the value of the ployed, may belong to the country which sells the goods in this country, the statements do not afford article, to the country which buys it, or to any other that fact. The value assigned to the goods by the country. The merchant who causes the article to statements is an artificial result, never according be conveyed from one country to another, may be with facts, unless by accident; but representing the a citizen or subject of either of those countries, or goods as worth much more than their cost abroad, of any other country. When he sells the article in and much less than they are generally worth here. the country to which it is sent, whatever he reBut the additions of ten and twenty per centum ceives, beyond the sum paid for it and the freight, may be deducted from the foreign cost of these im- is paid to the country to which he belongs; and he ports. Undoubtedly this may be done. If it is may belong to any country. When the navigator proper that this should be done, then it is proper and the merchant both belong to the country which that these imports should be stated by the public buys the article, that country pays for it nothing officers, at their foreign cost, without additions. more than its first or lower price. In this case, the Any person may, indeed, make the deduction from country buying the article pays, indeed, both the the amount stated; but not merely by a simple sub-freight and the mercantile profit; but these suns traction. It does not appear, from the statements, are paid to that country itself. They are paid by to what sums ten per centum are added, or to what the right hand to the left. They are paid by one sums twenty per centum are added, otherwise than class to another class of the people of the country by reference to the particular countries from which buying; by the consumer to the navigator and the the imports are brought. These several countries merchant; and they are all of the same country.— are specified, with the amount imported from each | The country buying pays, as a society, only the |