furnish separate statements of the navigation em ploy ed in those branches. we may estimate the value of the navigation employed in each branch of trade in reference to the length of the voyages performed. The benefits of One peculiar case demands present attention. navigation are in proportion, not only to the ton- We have closed our ports against British vessels nage and seamen employed, but also to the time arriving from British ports, which are closed against during which they are employed. The value of our our vessels. This regulation relates particularly frade with India and China depends much upon the to the British West Indies. It is a measure which great length of the voyages to and from those dis. was due to ourselves, and to a just sense of our tant countries: The facts which are proposed to be own rights; and it should be so enforced, as to give stated, will afford a view of the relative importance it complete effect. The British government have of the employments of navigation, in the different opened the island of Bermuda to our vessels. This branches of our foreign trade, in this respect. act of the British government, defeats, in a great The returns of the collectors to the treasury, degree, the intended effect of our law. A great will specify the names, tonnage, and national cha- trade hitherto unknown, now takes place between racters of all vessels arriving and departing; and the United States and Bermuda, partly in our vesthey will state the several foreign countries, from sels, and partly in British vessels, and between winch all vessels arrive, and for which all vessels Bermuda and the British West Indies, wholly in depart. There will then be in the treasury, suf- British vessels. Thus the intercourse, which we ficient materials to show how many voyages are intended to suppress, takes place between the made by the vessels engaged in each branch of United States and the British West Indies, through trade, in one year, and how many times the ton-Bermuda; the longest part of the transit, is performmage of the same vessels enters into the statements ed exclusively by British vessels, and even a part of tonnage, either arriving or departing, in the of the intercourse between the United States and same year. These facts are two minute to be in Bermuda, is carried on by British vessels. It is serted in the annual statements; but they are inte- our duty to pursue our own measure to its full efresting, and they will be collected and preserved fect, and to adopt such further provisions as may in the treasury, from winch they may be drawn, be necessary for that purpose. But, while this in. upon special occasions. From these facts, the ex- tercourse with Bermuda is allowed to exist, the act amount of our tonnage actually engaged at any extent to which it takes place should be stated tine, in all foreign trade, or in cur trade with any country, may be deduced; and from the same facts, the number of seamen employed in all our foreign trade, or in our trade with any particular country, both in our own and in foreign vessels, may be sufficiently ascertained. The number of seamen The official statements of imports, divide the imusually employed in our vessels, engaged in foreign trade, has been estimated to be six men, for one ports subject to duty, into those which are import hundred tons of shipping. In this manner, we may ed in foreign vessels. Three distinct tables are ed in our own vessels, and those which are importcompute the number of seamen employed in any branch of our foreign trade, when we know the given; first, a statement of goods imported in our quantity of tonnage engaged in that trade. But own vessels; next, a statement of goods imported such a computation must be founded upon the true in foreign vessels; and thir diy, a statement, called a quantity of tonnage actually employed in the trade. general aggregate of all goods imported in our own The annual statements of tonnage departing and and in foreign vessels. The kinds and amounts of arriving, will in most cases, comprehend the ton- the imports are stated in each table; the countries hage of the same vessels more than once in the from which the imports come, are stated alike, in same year; and, in some cases, the tonnage, either the first and second tables; and in the third table, departing or arriving, will not enter into the state-instead of particular countries, each foreign nation ments of that year. The number of voyages made by the same vessels, in the course of a year, must, therefore, be known in order to determine the true quantity of tonnage actually employed at any particular time, and the number of seamen requisite for that quantity of tonnage. and known. The official statements of exports, give no infor mation of the vessels in which the goods are exported. Those statements do not show whether the goods are exported in vessels of the United States, or in foreign vessels. and its dependencies are stated. These three tables are of great length. One table, with some alterations in form, would be sufficient; and would better exhibit the facts which are now separated from each other in distinct statements. A single table, with three suitable columns, would show all the facts to the eye, upon the same lines. The It is not meant, that all the navigation which may first column might show the amount imported in pass between the United States and every foreign our own vessels; the second column might show the country, should be stated separately, in all cases. amount imported in foreign vessels; and the third Where the intercourse between this country and column would exhibit the total amount of the two any other, is casual or inconsiderable, a distinct preceding columns. Such an alteration will be statement of the navigation employed in such inproper, if the imports are to be hereafter stated, tercourse, would be of little use. Where the com-with this discrimination of the vessels in which they merce between this country and any other is regu- are brought. But this discrimination in the statelar and considerable, a distinct statement of the na-ments, is of very little use, when accurate accounts vigation employed in it, should be given. Our of the tonnage arriving are taken. The object of commerce with Great Britain, and that with France, stating the imports, with this discrimination, is to Spain, Portugal, Holland, Russia, China, the British show how far the navigation, which introduces East Indies, Brazil, and the British West Indies, them, is our own, and how far it belongs to foreign are, at present, cases of this character. The pro-nations. These facts are indeed shown, in some priety of stating the navigation separately, in degree, in this manner. Where the imports are other branches of our foreign trade, may be left free from duty, these statements show nothing to the officers who compile the statements. They concerning the navigation which introduces them. will discern, what branches of foreign commerce, When the imports, subject to duty, are brought are of such importance as, to render it useful, to from a particular country, wholly in our own ves 1 sels, or wholly in foreign vessels, those facts appear merce, or the poverty of our present information by these statements. But the same facts will also on this subject, that proof would be abundantly appear from the tonnage arriving; and with the found, in these unceasing calls for information, conadditional advantage of showing the quantity of cerning matters connected with our foreign comtonnage employed in the importation. In most merce, which do not appear in the annual statecases, where the imports come, partly in our ments. At almost every session of congress, meaown vessels, and partly in foreign vessels, these sures relating to our foreign commerce are agitated statements afford nothing certain, in respect to Many of these questions are of the highest impor the shares of national proportion of the naviga- tance; and some of them are difficult, even with the tion enjoyed by ourselves, or by foreigners, in clearest light of facts. If any facts are wanted, the importations. A great variety of imports is which do not appear in the annual statements, à presented, some of which are stated only by values; call is made upon the executive officers, and geneand others, by kinds and quantities. These facts rally upon the secretary of the treasury for informa furnish very little information concerning the na- tion. The officer returns the best answer which vigation employed in introducing these imports; he is able to give. Many of these answers have, at and they form a very imperfect foundation for any different times, been given with great ability; and calculation respecting the tonnage employed, or they have served, in some degree, to supply the the freights earned. The tonnage and freights de- want of ascertained facts, by general views and ju. pend upon the bulk of the articles transported. dicious estimates. But if all the material facts, Where values only are given, we know nothing of which compose our foreign commerce, were ascer the kinds or quantities of the articles; and of course tained and presented to congress, in annual statenothing of the tonnage requisite for their transpor-ments, the estimates of executive officers would not tation. Where the kinds and quantities of articles be wanted. Every legislator would then have beare given, we may indeed, estimate the quantity of fore him, the whole subject, in authentic facts. the navigation, if we know the amount of tonnage The annual statements of the treasury have been requisite for the conveyance of the various articles here examined, as statistical accounts of foreign in question. But every such calculation must be commerce. Imperfect as they are in this view, very complex, and all such estimates, must be, at their imperfections are not to be imputed to the last, less certain and satisfactory, than the plain pro- officers of the treasury. Those officers have faithportions of the navigation, held by ourselves, and fully given the materials which they possessed; and by foreigners respectively, as these facts are found they could do no more. They have performed the in the tonnage arriving. If it were useful to know duty which was imposed upon them by the resoluthe particular goods which are actually conveyed in tions under which they acted. In some respects, our own vessels, and those actually conveyed in they have done much more. They have, at differforeign vessels, such a knowledge would be more ent times, without any requisition from superior important in respect to our exports, than in respect authority, made several very useful improvements to our imports. But no such discrimination is made, in the forms of stating the exports. The materials or will appear in the exports. It is conceived, concerning the exporis, are arranged and stated in that this threefold statement of the imports sub-the best manner, in which they can be presented, ject to daty, is not of sufficient use to be continued, as they are now returned to the treasury. The and it is proposed, that the imports shall be, in fu-annual statements concerning navigation, are arture, stated without this discrimination. This re-ranged and rendered in the best form, which the trenchment, will probably diminish the annual state-present state of the materials in the treasury will ments as much, in point of volume, as they will be increased, by the addition of all the new matters, which are now proposed to be stated. CONCLUSION. permit. All the annual statements concerning tonnage, have been rendered by the officers of the treasury, without any requisition for that purpose. To this time, there is neither law nor resolution, requiring annual statements of the navigation employed in our foreign trade. The principal defects which have been here detailed, are defects of law The executive officers have no power to obtain the facts which are requisite to supply these defects. Such a power can only be conferred by law. It is the province of the legislature, to establish such a system as will supply the present defects, and bring forth all the desired information. No general system for statistical accounts of our foreign commerce, has ever been established by law. No officer of the government, is required by law, to compile, to communicate to congress, or to publish any thing, upon this subject. All the statements of our foreign commerce, which have been here mentioned, have been rendered by the officers of the treasury, either in compliance with resolutions of one or the other branch of the legislature, or without any requisition whatever. The At present, the duty of preparing and rendering senate and house of representative have each, se parately, adopted such resolutions as they thought the annual statements of the exports and imports, fit, calling upon the secretary of the treasury for depends merely upon the separate resolutions of the senate and house of representatives, which statements of exports and imports: and all the statements which the treasury could furnish, have been have been mentioned. It is only in those resolugiven. Some of these resolutions are permanent tions, that any account of the matters required to be stated, concerning the exports and imports, can and require annual statements. The permanent resolutions of the senate, are of the 10th of Februa- be found; and those resolutions are very general ry, 1796, and the 16th of March, 1796. Those of and loose, in their description of the facts which the house of representatives, are of the 3d of March, they require. The subjects which are proper to be stated, should be defined by law; and the duty 1797, and the 29th of May, 1798. The special re- of compiling and rendering the annual statements, quisitions which have been made upon the executive officers, on the part of each of the two houses should be imposed upon proper officers, by law. of congress, for information concerning our foreign A suitable and permanent system, adequate to the commerce, have been very numerous. If any proof objects proposed, should be established. When were necessary to show, either the importance of this shall be done, a complete report of facts, showcomplete statistical aocounts of our foreign com-ing the state of our commence with every foreign country, and with all the world, in each year, may The statements of exports, the statements of im. The present state of this subject, will account for the method of this discussion. An existing system, sufficient in some points, but also defective in many respects, was to be examined. So far as it is sufficient, it required no comment. The proper course, therefore, seemed to be, to point out and examine its defects. But this course of examination is deprived of the advantage of clear order. As many of the defects of the existing system are topics lit. tle connected with each other, so must be the parts of the discussion which examines them. which are requisite to supply the defects of the present system, are these: 1. That the accounts of exports furnished at the time of exportation, and the destinations of the exports, should be stated and verified, not only by the master of the vessel, but also by the owner or exporter of the articles. 2. That imports, free from duty, should be ascertained and valued. 3. That imports subject to specific duties, should be valued. 4. That certain of the most considerable parts of the imports which pay duty on the value, should be stated by their kinds and quantities, as well as by their values. 5. That all the imports should be valued at their foreign cost. 6. That the national characters and tonnage of all vessels departing from the United States, should be ascertained and stated. 7. That the national characters and tonnage of vessels, both departing and arriving, in the trade with each of the foreign countries, with which our commerce is considerable, should be separately stated. If we have statements of our foreign commerce at all, they should be both comprehensive and accurate. They should comprehend all facts which are really material for public uses; and they should 8. That all these facts should be properly combe true in all matters stated as facts. Partial state- bined with those which are now ascertained; and ments mislead, and erroneous statements deceive. that the whole should be digested in suitable forms, The nature of the subject forbids us to expect en-into annual statements: and, tire accuracy in such statements. Perfect accuracy 9. That a general and permanent system, proin these subjects is the shadow, which may be ima-viding for the attainment of the objects here progined but cannot be touched. Reasonably accuracy posed, should be established by law. is the substance, which may be seized and present- A bill, embracing the provisions which are here ed in its just dimensions. Minute precision is not recommended, is now submitted. attainable; and were it attainable, it would be with- Statistical accounts of foreign commerce are imout practical use. But reasonable accuracy is suf-portant, from the peculiar nature of intercourse beficient for all practical uses; and reasonable accu-tween independent nations Commerce between racy is both necessary and attainable. Official state: nations depends upon both parties; upon compacts ments will be taken for correct statements, and will between both; upon regulations which either or be the foundation, both of private reasonings and both may establish; and upon all the measures of public measures. It may be better to have no which the policy, the pleasure, or the passions of official statements of foreign commerce, than to rulers, may lead them to adopt, in respect to interhave statements which are, in a great degree, de-course with other nations. Though the interests fective or erroneous. of all nations would be best promoted, by allowing to commerce between them the full freedom which is allowed to the commerce of persons in the same society, it is vain to expect, that this theory will ever be generally adopted and carried into practice. While governments, seeking to obtain superior or exclusive advantages, will regulate and restrain foreign commerce, the governments of other And these general heads should be stated with nations, affected by such measures, even if they such details and divisions, as to exhibit the follow-feel not the like motives, must assert their equal ing facts: According to the preceding views, a complete system for statistical accounts of foreign commerce, should embrace statements of these facts: 1. Ali our exports. 2. All our imports. 3. All the navigation employed in our trade rights, and protect their own interest. If there 1. The kinds, quantities, and values of exports were no other cause of obstruction, the necessity of and imports. revenue, and the facility of obtaining revenue, by 2. The exports to every particular country. try. 4. All the navigation employed in our trade The actual state of our trade with every particu- natural freedom of trade between nations. Our system is, to a great extent, that of open and free commerce with all the world. But, in some of the most important branches of our foreign commerce, regulations, which deprive us of our just share of we are met by foreign prohibitions, restrictions and the benefits of mutual intercourse. We are, therefore, compelled to seek relief, from the effects of such foreign systems, by treaties, or to counteract them by our own regulations. Hence, a knowledge of the actual state of our trade, with particular countries, is exceedingly important. It is with particular governments, and concerning particular branches of trade, that these collisions take place. The commercial regulations of any country may be known; but such regulations afford no information of the state and extent of the trade to which they gulate and protect our commerce with foreign na. are applicable. The effects of such regulations tions, is confided to this government. It belongs cannot be justly comprehended, without a know- to the same government to provide authentic inledge of the facts upon which those regulations formation of the state of that commerce. Let the operate. facts, as they take place, be ascertained and made Our foreign commerce is the means of vending public to all. They deserve the attention of all; our surplus products, which are great and valua-but, more especially, the constant and watchful atble, and the means of procuring the products of tention of legislators and statesmen. other countries, which we desire for our consumption. It is a great source of wealth, from the pro- PROSPECTS A-HEAD. It is most probable that both fits of trade and the employment of navigation; and houses of congress will form a quorum on Monday it affords the means of great naval power, It is next, and the business of the session be opened by the principal source of our revenue. It is, at the a message from the president on the succeeding same time, a great impediment to the progress of day. our own manufactures; and it holds us in a certain | The financial concerns of the nation are greatly degree of dependence upon foreign nations, for the embarrassed, and a consideration of the means by supply of our own wants. Shall our foreign com- which the requisite amount of revenue can be most merce be cherished, for the sake of wealth, naval conveniently drawn from the people, must be power, and revenue? Or, shall it be restrained, to seriously thought of. Besides using the surplus of promote domestic manufactures; to render our-the sinking fund, which had been pledged for the selves essentially independent of the rest of the redemption of the public debt, we borrowed two world for the supply of our own wants, and to millions of dollars for the service of the year 1820; avoid the collisions to which foreign commerce is the deficiency for 1821 will be much larger, and exposed, from the ambition, rapacity, and wars of that also, must be made good by borrowing. But other nations? These are all great questions of na- it is impossible to believe that congress will rely tional policy; and they present to a certain extent, upon loans to meet the current expenditures of goa conflict of opposing considerations. It is not the vernment in a time of peace-and a system must purpose of this report to discuss these questions. be adopted by which the annual receipts shall be Whatever views may be taken of them by some, at least equal to the annual demands upon the treaand whatever may be the opinions entertained con- sury, to say nothing about a reduction of the pubcerning them by others, the knowledge of the facts lic debt. from which these questions arise, is equally neces It appears to be almost impracticable, in the present sary and important to all. The facts which com-way of thinking, to lessen the expenditures and fit pose our foreign commerce, must be the founda- their amount to the state of the times. But we tion of all reasonings and all conclusions, concern-earnestly look for the annual report of the secreing these questions. The present purpose is, to tary of the treasury, to see what plans have been provide authentic information of these facts. As devised in respect to this matter. The plain Enour foreign commerce produces, directly or indi-glish of the whole affair, however, is that unless rectly, most important effects upon all interests and something is done to give profitable employment classes of the nation, all are interested in that com- to the people, they will not, they cannot, bear an, merce. All are entitled to speculate and form opi- increase of their burthens. nions upon these questions; and every interest is entitled to a just protection from the government of the whole. The government has not only to judge, but to decide. Its decisions produce effects which are felt in every branch of public and private concerns. It is the common interest of all, that our foreign commerce should be thoroughly known and understood. If our foreign commerce were, and could continue to be, perfectly free, it I would still fluctuate with all the varying circumstances of the world; and information of its actual state, from time to time, would be highly interesting. But, our foreign commerce will always be the subject of much legislation, and many practical measures. The great questions and interests which are involved in our foreign commerce, must always be a principal subject of the deliberations and measures of the national government. The first requisite to wise legislation and judicious measures upon this subject, must be, the knowledge of the facts which constitute the subject itself. The agriculture of the United States, except as applied to the product of cotton, tobacco, sugar, and a few other articles, may be said to yield no profit to its laborers; the commerce of the country is carried on at an absolute loss; and manufactures are not encouraged: hence there are few persons of the great productive classes who have any thing to spare-and, let a person be as rich as Croesus, he cannot brook the idea of lessening his capital by ordinary expenditures. So the means of payment being forbidden, fewer taxed articles are purchased and the revenue fails; and a direct tax to aid it could hardly be collected just now, because of the sluggish circulation of money, though there is an abundance of it in the republic. Our desire to encourage domestic industry is well known--yet we have expressed ourselves as not being altogether dissatisfied with the failure of the tariff bill at the last session, and especially because all the evils of the present times would have been imputed to it, not only by the inconsideOur foreign commerce is very great; and greater rate million, but by grave legislators, who would than that of any other nation, excepting one. This have told us that they were the consequences of not is not the place to discuss the importance of our "letting things alone." When people will not see external commerce, or to trace its connection with truth, they must feel it. A "notion" has been adour internal concerns. It exists, and it is closely in-vanced at Boston, that, instead of increasing the terwoven with all the great interests of the nation. duties on good imported, it would be much better In whatever view it is considered, it is a subject of to reduce them-that they would yield a greater the highest moment. That the facts, which com- amount from an increased consumption, &c. Butpose this great subject, should be known, will hard-foreign goods were never cheaper (as to their no. ly be disputed. Without them, the subject itself minal prices) than they are now, and it would seem cannot be understood; nor can the interests of the that a reduction of the duty would have but litnation receive a judicious care. The power to re-tle effect on the amount of the consumption:- bowever, we are almost willing to try the expe-¡modities, hitherto a source of great enterprize and riment, on the principle of ascertaining how much wealth to our citizens; occasion immense losses to the people can bear of their own folly, in the belief the commercial, manufacturing, and agricultural that, when they have tortured themselves enough, interests; and deeply affect the public revenue. they will become wise. It is sometimes best to leave the punishment of a man to himself. The knowledge thus obtained is not easily forgotten. 8. Resolved, That a law requiring cash payments of duties would materially affect the enterprize of our citizens, by limiting the operations of the active merchants, increasing the price of foreign commodities to the consumer, and favoring a monopoly to the rich, contrary to the best interests of the country. We have already noticed the proceedings of several meetings of merchants and others to petition congress against an increase of the duties on goods imported, and give below the resolutions adopted by the general convention which recently met at 9. Resolved, That if congress should not consider Philadelphia for this purpose. We shall not now it expedient to repeal the duties heretofore laid for make any remarks upon certain of these resolutions, any other purpose than the production of public though their assumption is at variance with facts revenue, it cannot be either politic or just to imderived from the experience of all countries-yet pose other and higher duties, the probable effects we are really at a loss to conceive how the export of which would be to benefit manufacturers at the of our agricultural products can be much diminish-expense of every other class of the citizens. ed, seeing that foreign nations now receive from 10. Resolved, That the project of rendering ourus nothing which they can dispense with, and know.selves independent of foreign nations, is founded ing that there is no friendship în trade." But, in mistaken views of national independence. Mataking up the general argument, the resolutions nufacturing nations must always be more depenhave an apparent accordance with the doctrines ad-ent on their customers, than those cultivating the vanced at Boston; and it results, that if an increase soil on the purchasers of their produce. of the duties will diminish the revenue, it is reasonable to suppose that a diminution of those du-morial to congress, which memorial it was decided, ties would increase the amount of receipts at the as a matter of decorum, should not be published treasury. Let the experiment be made !!! until it has been presented. Philadelphia, 4th Nov. 1820. At a convention of delegates from the prin cipal Atlantic states, representing the merchants and others interested in commerce, assembled at Philadelphia, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted, and ordered to be published: The convention also unanimously adopted a me. WILLIAM BAYARD, President of the convention. JOHN VAUGHAN, Sec'ry. TENNESSEE BANKING. A writer in the "East 1. Resolved, As the opinion of this convention, that a system of commercial restrictions is unfavor-Tennessee Patriot" seems considerably offended able to industry, and that sound policy dictates the at me, for having expressed my disapprobation of least practicable restraint upon individual enter the specie-less bank recently established in that prize and exertion. state. 2. Resolved, That the greatest possible revenue, It is impossible that, for the people of Tennes required by the national interests, should be col-see, I should have a wish opposed to their pros lected from commerce, on account of the ease, perity. Their public services have claimed the economy, and certainty of its collection; but that gratitude of the nation, and there are many genthis cannot be effected but by the imposition of tlemen in that state who are near and dear to me such a rate of duties as will not be a restraint upon as personal friends. I protested against the litter importations, nor furnish an inducement to smug-of banks in Pennsylvania, and foretold that Kengling. 3. Resolved, That by every important change of the tariff, the nation sustains an immense loss of productive labor. A well digested tariff, therefore, should never be changed, except for the purpose of equal protection to the different interests of the country, or to provide for the public wants. tucky was erecting a "pyramid of miseries" upon herself, when she incorporated the "independent" banks, and have predicted the accumulated sufferings of the citizens of Tennessee from the late fa vorite measure of her political economists; who have forgotten that, just as certainly as water seeks its level, so will a paper currency approximate its va4. Resolved, That we consider the production of lue as a commodity for commerce. It is thus in Ruspublic revenue, the legitimate object of legislation | sia, Germany, England and Spain,-and will be so on the subject of duties. every where. First principles are not to be vio5. Resolved, That the operation of the proposed lated in favor of a particular state. Like causes tariff would be greatly to diminish our exports of must produce like effects in every country. Yet agricultural products; greatly to reduce the value against probability, out of the sincere regard which of those remaining in the country; greatly to les-I have for the people of Tennessee, I should be sen importations, by reducing our means of pur- glad to find an exception in their favor; and rechasing both at home and abroad; almost to destroy ceive the proof that a paper currency, based as the révenue arising from commerce; to lower the that of the new bank is, can preserve its nominal price of labor, and to increase the profits of the value compared with the specie worth of other comrich manufacturer, while it lessens the profits and modities-the price of labor and its products. wages of every other individual in the community. 6. Resolved, That the adoption of the proposed tariff would produce very extensive smuggling, and the consequent necessary imposition of internal duties, and heavy 'direct taxes, which would eventually cause a re-action throughout the whole community; and involve, in one common ruin, all the manufactories in the country. The writer holds out as threat that the citizens of Tennessee will cease to purchase foreign goods of the merchants of the Atlantic states. I sincerely hope that they may enter into such a resolution and abide by it, for a few years: it will do more to relieve the pecuniary pressure upon them than the establishment of half a million of banks can do. It is a dependence upon that which alone can make 7. Resolved, That the abolition of drawbacks a people really happy and prosperous-a reliance would destroy the carrying trade in foreign com-upon their own means and an application of them |