numbers and organization are considered as requisite to ments, and what returns had been made; what property, meet the present military wants of the country. All which is respectfully submitted. Report of the Solicitor of the Treasury, of the accounts in suit on 4th July, 1830. OFFICE OF SOLICITOR OF THE TREASURY, Jan. 6, 1831 SIR: In obedience to the directions of the "Act to provide for the appointment of a Solicitor of the Treasury," I have the honor respectfully to submit, for the information of Congress, the following report: personal or real, was bound by such judgment; where such property is situated; in whose possession it was, either as executors, administrators, assignees, trustees, or otherwise; what were the nature and amount of the liens on such property, if any there were, prior to that of the United States; what was the prospect of recovering the whole amount, or any part of such judgments; what was the amount expected to be realised; what were the obstacles which have heretofore interposed, and which yet prevail, and the prospect of their removal; with all other matters important to be known at this office. The information called for by these several inquiries, is believed to be essential to the efficient discharge of the duties of this office, so far as they relate to the collection In the performance of the duty imposed upon the Soli- of the outstanding judgment debts. To enable the Discitor, "to obtain from the several District Attorneys of trict Attorneys to furnish it, tedious examinations of the United States full and accurate accounts of all the records, and frequent resort to the assistance of the clerks causes and actions pending in the Courts of the United of the courts, are necessary. A great proportion of these States, in which the United States were plaintiffs, on the judgments having been recovered before the present Dis 4th day of July, and to cause an abstract thereof, showing trict Attorneys came into office, the legal fees, which, the names of the parties in each suit, the cause of action, under existing laws, constitute the principal compensation the time of its commencement, and such other matters as to attorneys, have already been paid to their predecessors. may be necessary to full information respecting the same, It is manifest, therefore, as no commission is allowed for to be prepared and laid before Congress," soon after the collection of money, that, for the services of the preassumed the duties of that office, the circular, a copy of sent Attorneys, either in procuring the information I have which is hereunto annexed, and marked A, containing called for in the last mentioned circular, or for further regulations for the observance of District Attorneys, Mar- attention in enforcing the judgments, no remuneration shals, Clerks, and Collectors, was issued, and the several whatever is provided. Several Attorneys have asked for District Attorneys required to report the information compensation, and some of the clerks have refused their called for by Congress. From their returns I have pre-aid without an assurance that it will be made. pared three statements, of which the one marked B exhi- Some estimate of the importance of the subject about bits a report of the suits brought on Treasury transcripts; which information is sought, may be formed from the the one marked C exhibits a report of suits brought on return which was, about a year ago, made by the United custom-house bonds; and the third, marked D, exhibits a States' Attorneys in the several districts, in pursuance of report of suits for fines, penalties, and forfeitures; all an order of the President, of all the suits on Treasury which were pending on the 4th day of July last. transcripts. This return comprehended all suits of this description, in which judgments had been recovered by the United States, and remained unsatisfied in part or the whole, together with all such as were still pending. The aggregate sum due upon them, was Suppose the amount of the suits pending at the period of that return, to be equal to that of the suits pending on the 4th day of July last, to wit: The returns of some of the Attorneys did not contain "full information" respecting the suits in their districts. Several were little more than copies of the docket entries from the records of the Courts. These defects have in part been supplied, as it respects suits on Treasury transcripts, from the register of such suits transferred to this office from that of the Fifth Auditor of the Treasury; but the suits on custom-house bonds, and for fines, penalties, and forfeitures, not being under his superintendence, no register of them was kept by him; and of course but little information of those which were instituted prior to the 1st day of June last, is in the possession of this office. Such information, however, as it has been practicable to collect in these several classes of suits, in the short period since this office was established, is contained in the three state ments abovementioned. And deduct it from the abovementioned ag- The aggregate amount of suits on custom- Suppose the amount due on suits on cus- wit: And deduct it from the above aggregate, This last amount, added to that due on An amount more than three times as large as the above is probably due to the United States on judgments rendered previous to the 4th of July. With a view to collect information respecting the situation of debts of this description, a circular, a copy of which is hereunto annexed, marked E, was directed to the several District Attorneys, requiring them to report what suits prosecuted to judgment remained unsatisfied, in which expectations Will show the total sum of principal due were entertained of collecting a part of the whole amount to the Government on outstanding judg of the debt; what process had been issued on such judgments, to be $7,742,407 80 1,776,526 96 $5,645,880 84 $6,685,490 00 1,241,686 82 $5,623,803 18 5,645,880 84 $11,269,694 02 To this sum may be added several millions for interest; observance of regulations, which shall form a chain of rebut there ought also to be deducted from it a considerable sponsibility, binding each officer to his duty, from the comamount, which consists of judgments against sureties on mencement of legal proceedings, throughout their various official and custom-house bonds. The foregoing view, stages, till the execution of judgment shall place the pubhowever, though not exact, presents a sufficient approxi-lic dues in the Treasury of the United States. In framing mation to the truth to demonstrate the importance of the those which I now transmit, I have endeavored to consult subject it embraces. the convenience of the several officers whom they affect, No remuneration is provided by law to stimulate the as far as is compatible with a just system of accountability. zeal of the United States' Attorneys in the collection of It would be presumptuous in me to expect that, in the this vast amount of debt. The legal fees in almost all the present organization of a new office, I have prepared a sums having already been paid to their predecessors in system without error, or that experience will not point office, who instituted them, no inducement but a cold out new checks or useful modifications and alterations. sense of unprofitable duty is left to excite them to exer- Such as your reflection and observation may suggest, if tion. A very great proportion of this mass of debt is communicated, will be considered and examined with the due from persons and estates that are hopelessly insolvent. utmost care and candor, with a view to the improvement Still, however, it is believed that a large amount, which and perfection of the system; but, until the regulations for will otherwise be lost, might be gleaned, if an adequate the transaction of business now established shall be modiinducement to encounter the labor of collecting the infor-fied or rescinded, I cannot too strongly urge an exact obmation called for, and to act vigorously and zealously after servance of them. That the mutual dependence and proobtaining that information, were held out to District priety of the various parts of the system of cheeks now Attorneys, in the shape of a liberal commission on collec presented may be seen and understood, by being viewed tions. It would seem peculiarly proper that the com- together, I subjoin to this circular a copy of the regula missions now allowed to collectors of the customs for tions, established not only for your government, but for collections on bonds which are put in suit, should be trans- that of all the different officers, who must contribute their ferred to the Attorneys, who have the labor and responsi-share of duty in accomplishing the object of the laws herebility of making them. This arrangement, while it would with transmitted. create no additional expense to the public, would operate I place much reliance for aid, in the discharge of my as a stimulus to vigilance and caution on the part of Col- arduous duties, not only upon the talents and business lectors, in requiring such security as would prevent the habits of the law officers and collectors of the United necessity of resorting to litigation, and to a zealous dis- States, but still more upon their cordial and hearty co-opcharge of duty by Attorneys, whenever litigation should eration in devising the means of carrying into complete efbecome necessary. It is believed, also, that a true econo- fect the great objects in view, the punctual payment of my would dictate an allowance of commissions to Attor- the public dues, and the prevention of frauds upon the neys for collection in suits on Treasury transcripts, as well Treasury; and I cannot doubt that a class of citizens so as on custom-house bonds; and that the increase of the distinguished for high character, intelligence, and patriotsum, which would, in consequence of it, be brought into ism, will feel with me an ambition to demonstrate, by 2 the Treasury, would be much greater than the amount of faithful and efficient performance of our respective duties, those commissions. the utility ofour several offices, and their adaptation to promote the public weal. On my part it will be my first and strongest desire to reconcile a rigid and exact fulfilment of the laborious and responsible task prescribed to me by law, with such observance of comity and regard to the feelings of all with whom I am connected as shall ensure a continuance of the most cordial and respectful relations between us. The foregoing remarks present an imperfect view of the prominent defects of the present system of collecting the public dues, when suit has become necessary; and the daily discharge of my official functions has so forcibly impressed them on my mind, that I have thought it my duty, in this report, respectfully to bring them to the notice of Congress, who alone have power to provide an adequate remedy. I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your most faithful and obedient servant, V. MAXCY, To the Hon. the SPEAKER of the House of Representatives. A. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your most faithful and obedient servant, V. MAXCY, Solicitor of the Treasury. Regulations to be observed by the Collectors of the customs. 1. Whenever a revenue bond shall not have been paid Circular from the Solicitor of the Treasury, with regulations when it becomes due, you will, to use the terms of the to be observed by District Attorneys, Clerks of the Circuit law prescribing your duty, deliver it for suit to the Disand District Courts, Marshals, and Collectors of the United trict Attorney "forthwith and without delay," and will States. OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR OF THE TREASURY, Washington, July 27, 1830. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of an act passed at the late session of Congress, to provide for the appointment of a Solicitor of the Treasury. take triplicate receipts of the Attorney; one of which is to be forwarded by the first mail to this office, together with a full and exact description of the date and amount of such bond, and of the time when it became payable, and the names of all the obligors thereto; one to be sent with your first quarterly returns thereafter, to the first Auditor of the Treasury, and the other to be retained by yourOn entering into the relations which that act has esta- self. If any part of the bond have been paid, the amount blished between the Solicitor and the law officers and Col- of such payment, and the time when made, must be stated. lectors of the United States, I cannot but feel a deep That the reports of the several Collectors may be unisense of the responsibility connected with the superinten- form, I have sent you a form for them. dence of the multifarious and important concerns commit- 2. Whenever any obligor of a bond put in suit shall, ted to my charge. Diffused as these concerns are through- before execution is delivered to the marshal, pay the out this widely extended Union, they cannot be managed whole or any part of such bond to you, you will give him in a manner satisfactory to the officers or parties concern- triplicate receipts, one of which is to be retained in his ed, or with a due regard to the interest of the Govern- own hands, and the other two to be delivered to the Disment, without the establishment and a punctual and exac trict Attorney; one of them to be filed as his authority for giving the necessary credit on the bond, and for making retain yourself; one you will transmit by the first mail to the proper entry on the docket, and the other to be for- this office, as a voucher for your discharge from further warded to this office, as the voucher upon which he is to responsibility; and the third you will forward by the first be discharged from responsibility. mail to the First Auditor of the Treasury, to be placed on file by him, and to be preserved as a check in the settlement of the Collector's accounts. You will direct him to pay the costs to the Marshal, and take duplicate receipts. On the defendant's delivering one of these receipts to you, in addition to the Collector's receipt for, or the payment to yourself of, the whole amount due to the United States, you will make such entry on the docket as shall be necessary for the discharge of the defendant. 3. In like manner, you will give to the District Attorney triplicate receipts for money which he may pay you from the defendant, in discharge of bonds in suit, and specify therein particularly the object for which the money is paid. 4. Whenever, after execution is delivered to the Marshal, he shall pay you a part or the whole amount of the judgment, you will deliver to him triplicate receipts, that he may retain one himself, forward one as a voucher to me, and send the other with his regular return to the first Auditor of the Treasury, to be filed in his office. 5. In compliance with the duty prescribed in the fourth section of the above mentioned act, whenever you shall cause a seizure to be made for the purpose of enforcing any forfeiture, you will, by the first mail, give information thereof to the Solicitor of the Treasury. Regulations to be observed by District Attorneys. 1. Whenever a bond shall be transmitted or delivered to you for suit by any Collector, you will give him triplicate receipts, and forthwith and without delay" institute suits against all the parties thereto. By the first mail afterwards, you will transmit information thereof to the Solicitor of the Treasury, together with a full and exact description of the date of such bond, the amount due thereon, the time when it became payable, and the names of all the obligors. I send you herewith printed forms of these re turns. 2. In like manner, whenever a transcript of the accounts of any delinquent public officer, certified by the First or Second Comptroller of the Treasury, shall be forwarded to you for suit from this office, you will immediately commence suit thereon, and by the first mail give information thereof to the Solicitor of the Treasury. 5. Whenever any defendant to a suit, other than upon a custom-house bond, whether for debt or a fine, penalty, or forfeiture, is desirous of paying a part or the whole of the demand against him previous to the delivery of execu tion, you will request him to deposite the money, or such part thereof as belongs to the United States, in the Bank of the United States, or some office thereof, or some other bank authorized to receive deposites for the Government, to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States, take triplicate receipts or certificates of the cashier, designating the object on account of which the payment is made, and deliver two of them to you, upon which you will give them the necessary credit; and on his producing to you, in addition thereto, the receipt of the marshal for costs, you will make, according to the circumstances of the case, the entry on the docket necessary for the security or discharge of the defendant. You will retain one of the certificates of deposite to the credit of the treasurer, and the other transmit to me by the first mail. On the receipt of it, the necessary entry will be made upon the books of this office, to release you from responsibility. If the defendant, instead of making deposite in bank, as above mentioned, should make a tender of the whole amount due to the United States to you, you will receive it; forthwith deposite it in the Bank of the United States, or an office thereof, or some other bank authorized to re3. You will, also, when any suit or action for the reco-ceive the deposites of the Government, to the credit of very of a fine, penalty, or forfeiture, shall be instituted, the Treasurer of the United States, and take triplicate immediately transmit to this office a statement of such suit certificates of deposite of the cashier, designating the obor action, specifying the name of the defendant, the cause of the action, the time of its commencement, with such remarks as are necessary to the full understanding of the same. ject for which the payment is made. One of these you will, by the first mail, transmit to this office, as a voucher for your release from responsibility; one you will send by the first mail to the Auditor in whose office the transcript on which suit was brought was prepared; and the third you will retain yourself. tion is thus postponed, you will report the case to this officer for instruction. Whenever you deliver execution to the marshal, you will take duplicate receipts: one of them you will retain yourself, and the other you will send by the first mail to this office, as a voucher for your release from responsibility. 4. Whenever any obligor of a custom-house bond shall desire to discharge part or the whole of his debt previous to judgment, you will request him to pay the money to 6. Whenever a suit shall be prosecuted to judgment, the Collector who delivered the bond for suit, and to take you will deliver execution to the marshal, unless there be, triplicate receipts therefor. Two of these receipts you in your judgment, good reasons for delay, such as the will require him to deliver to you; one to authorize you to hopeless insolvency of the defendant. Whenever execugive him credit for the amount thus paid on the bond, and to be retained by you; the other you will transmit to the office, to serve as my authority for giving you credit, and discharging you from responsibility. If, instead of paying the money to the Collector, as requested, he should make a tender of the whole amount due the Government to yourself, you will receive the same; forthwith deposite 7. You will, immediately after the end of every term of it, to the credit of the Collector who delivered you the the District and Circuit Courts, or of any State Courts in bond for suit, in the Bank of the United States, or an of which any suit or suits may have been instituted on behalf fice thereof, or some other bank authorized to receive of the United States, forward to this office a statement, Government deposites, and take triplicate certificates of (which the law requires to be certified by the clerk,) of such deposite from the cashier, designating the object for such cases as have been decided during the term, and such which the payment was made. One of these you will re-as are pending, together with all the information which tain yourself; one you will transmit by the first mail to may be necessary for understanding the true situation of this office, as a voucher for your release from responsibili- each case. Your statement w be sent in two different ty; and the third you will deliver or forward by the first forms, one to contain the suits brought on treasury tranmail to the Collector from whom the bond was received. scripts, and the other on custom-house bonds, and for If there be no bank near in which Government deposites fines, penalties, and forfeitures. Printed forms for these are made, you may, if more convenient, pay the amount returns are herewith sent. to the Collector who delivered the bond for suit, and take triplicate receipts from him, designating the object for which the payment was made. One of these receipts you will 8. In all cases in which an appeal is taken, or a writ of error is sued out, you will cause to be transmitted to this office, with as little delay as may be, a tran-cript of the record, which you will examine with a view to ascertain cate receipts therefor, in which the parties are to be that it is a faithful copy, and will accompany the same with stated, and the amount of the judgment. One of these a report of the argument of the cause in the court below, receipts you will keep for your own protection, one you noting the points made and authorities referred to by the will transmit to this office, as my authority for making respective counsel. such entry on its books as will discharge you from further I take leave to call your particular attention to the eighth responsibility, and the other you will transmit, with your section of the act sent with the circular, by which, in ad- regular accounts, to the First Auditor of the Treasury, to dition to the return after each term, you are required to be filed as a check in the settlement of the Collector's actransmit to this office "full and accurate accounts of all counts. causes and actions pending in the courts of the United 4. Whenever execution shall have been delivered to States" in your district, "in which the United States are you upon a judgment for any other cause than a customplaintiffs, on the fourth day of July" of the present year, house bond, and you shall have collected the money of the in such a manner as shall enable me to prepare an intelli- defendant, you will forthwith deposite the amount belonggible abstract of all such causes, showing the names of ing to the United States in the Bank of the United States, the parties in each suit, the cause of action, the time it or one of its offices, which may be nearest you, or any accrued, the time of the commencement of the suit, and other bank, if nearer to you, which is authorized to resuch other matters as may be necessary to full information ceive Government deposites, to the credit of the Treasurer to Congress respecting the same. As this abstract must of the United States. You will take duplicate certificates be laid before Congress at the commencement of the next of deposite from the cashier, designating the object for session, it is necessary that your return should be made which the money is paid, one of which you will retain on or before the tenth day of October next. The forms yourself, and transmit the other to this office, as the sent for your statement at the end of each term of court voucher upon which you will be discharged from further will answer the purpose of this report. Be pleased to responsibility. state, in a very distinct manner, the cause of action, and. let your observations in the column of remarks be full, so that the object and situation of each suit may be clearly understood. Regulations to be observed by Clerks of the Circuit and Dis trict Courts of the United States. 1. Hereafter, you will forward to this office, within thirty days after the adjournment of each successive term of the District and Circuit Courts, respectively, of which you are clerk, a list of all the judgments and decrees which have been entered in the said courts, respectively, during such term, to which the United States are parties, showing the amount which has been so adjudged or decreed, and the costs, and stating the term to which execution thereon has been made returnable. You will divide the list into two parts, to be sent in two separate forms, one to contain the judgments rendered in suits brought on Treasury transcripts, and the other on custom-house bonds, and for fines, penalties, and forfeitures. I send you printed forms for these returns. 5. Hereafter you will make the returns required by the eighth section of the act of May 15, 1820, for the better organization of the Treasury Department, to this office, in which you will state the proceedings which have taken place upon all writs of execution or other process, which have been placed in your hands for the collection of the money which has been adjudged and decreed to the United States in said courts respectively. I send you printed forms for these returns. You will make these returns in two separate forms, one for executions issued on judg. other on custom-house bonds, and for fines, penalties, and ments in suits brought on treasury transcripts, and the forfeitures. Mr. REPORT ON MANUFACTURES. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JANUARY 13, 1831. MALLARY, from the Committee on Manufactures, to whom was referred so much of the President's message "as relates to the tariff of duties on imports, and so much thereof as respects manufactures," reported: That they have taken this delicate subject into full con 2. You will examine the statement required by the third section of said act to be made by the United States' Attorney for your district, and, comparing it with the re-sideration. This was due alike to the source from whence cords in your charge, and finding it correct, you will thereto subjoin your certificate. Regulations to be observed by Marshals. 1. Whenever, before judgment, any defendant to a suit f the United States shall pay you the costs which have ccrued, you will give him duplicate receipts, one to be kept by himself, and the other to be delivered to the Disrict Attorney. a review was recommended, and to the importance of the subject itself. They feel confident that they have done it without mingling with the operation of their reasoning powers, unreasonable "likes and dislikes," either to the system of protecting domestic industry, or to the views expressed by the Chief Magistrate. It is not the intention of the committee to present to the House a mass of statistics or labored arguments, in fa2. Whenever, in any suit in which the United States vor of the protecting system. In the recent discussions of are plaintiffs, the District Attorney shall deliver a writ of the tariff, all that could illustrate theory, or be proved by execution to you, you will give him duplicate receipts, in experience in our own and other countries, has been prewhich you will state the names of the parties, the amount sented. Our Government has adopted and endeavored to of the judgment and costs, with the time from which in- sustain, by repeated legislative enactments, a policy which terest accrues, one of which receipts is to be kept by him, has had the sanction of Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and the other to be transmitted by him to this office as a and Monroe. It has been sanctioned by "the continued voucher, upon which an entry is to be made to release acquiescence of the States, and the general understanding him from further responsibility, and to charge you. You of the people" Confidence in its permanent duration is will, moreover, by the first mail, after execution in any warmly inspired. It is this alone which can give it vigorcase shall be delivered to you, transmit information there- ous and successful action. A system of protection may of to this office. appear perfect in our statute books, and yet be useless to 3. Whenever the judgment has been rendered in favor the country, if exposed to perpetual danger. Skill, alof the United States on a custom-house bond, and the exe-ready matured, will not venture upon uncertainty. The cution has been issued and satisfied by the defendant, you power of invention will never be exerted, if it has no conwill give him a receipt therefor. You will immediately fidence in the promise, and repeated promise, of support. thereafter pay over the amount of the judgment to the Capital will never come to the aid of skill and enterprise, Collector who delivered the bond for suit, and take tripli-if it has no security for investment. It must have confi diffused. dence, it must find solid honesty in individuals, as well as right to foster their own industry, and to counteract the most firmness in Government, or it will not be employed. selfish and destructive policy which might be adopted by During the last session of Congress, the declaration was foreign nations. This surely cannot be the case: this inoften repeated, that the system of protection should and dispensable power, thus surrendered by the States, must would be mantained. It was presumed to have come from be within the scope of the authority on the subject exthe people, and dictated by them to their representatives. pressly delegated to Congress." The committee would reThis was expressed by the most decisive majorities in Con- commend this argument to the candid consideration of the gress, on repeated occasions. House. Most especially would they invite to its calm conIts effects, so far as they have been developed, have an- sideration those of our fellow-citizens who honestly believe swered the hopes of its most ardent friends. Capital flows that a protecting tariff violates the constitution. If there widely and freely through our extended country. The ge- are any who have become regardless of the rights, internius of our people has been stimulated to greater and more ests, and welfare of the great majority of the nation; who diversified exertion. The useful arts are improving in are determined that all shall yield to their opinions; who every form that stern necessity or elegant taste may desire. insist that they are infallibly right, and every one else is The committee most cheerfully concur with the President absolutely wrong; on such, reason and argument can have in the animated view which he has taken of the condition no influence. Still, the cause which enables our Chief Maof our country. They adopt his language in describing gistrate to give us such a glowing view of the prosperity that condition. "With a population unparalleled in its in- of our country as he has done, must and will continue. crease, and possessing a character which combines the har- The States, in their sovereign capacity, as expressed in the dihood of enterprise with the considerateness of wisdom, message, and cannot be denied, had the original power of we see in every section of our happy country a steady im- imposing duties on imports. It is now transferred to the provement in the means of social intercourse and corre- Government of the Union, in the most ample manner. spondent effects upon the genius and laws of our extended Had the States retained it, they must have exercised it as republic." This is the language of truth and justice. It they pleased, to accomplish any object they deemed proforms a subject of high and deep congratulation to every per. It might have been for revenue alone. It might have patriot mind. While other nations are suffering under op- been employed solely to counteract the selfish policy of pressive burthens, or convulsed with bloody revolutions, other States or nations. It could have been exercised for we witness among ourselves, in general, a calm and confi- any purpose which suited the pleasure of sovereign power. dent repose. We see over all portions of our broad coun- But the States have delegated their whole power over imtry prosperity and happiness most equally and evenly ports to the United States. It would indeed be a strange anomaly if it could not now be exercised by the GovernSuch is the prospect before us. It is the offspring of ment to which it has been transferred, as fully as it could our fortunate Government, and the wise policy which has have been by the States from which it was derived. been adopted of cultivating our own resources, by the The President has declared, that, "while the chief obskill, and industry, and enterprise of our own people. Inject of duties should be revenue, they may be so adjusted considering that imperfection must be stamped on the high-as to encourage manufactures." It seems to the commitest and best of human institutions, it is matter of surprise, tee that this remark is in plain collision with the sentiments "that the apparent exceptions to the harmony of the pros- which he has previously maintained. He has observed that pect" are so few. They seem to arise rather from the the authority to impose duties on imports, having passed exercise of fervid imagination, than from evils which really from the States, "the right to exercise it for the purpose exist. It cannot, however, be expected that any code of of protection does not exist in them." If it is "not poslaws, or any form of government, can dispense precisely sessed by the General Government, it must be extinct.' the same benefits to every individual under their influence, "Our political system would thus present the anomaly of wherever he may reside, or whatever may be his genius a people, stripped of a right to foster their own industry, or pursuits. Nature herself has failed to do this. But, and to counteract the most selfish and destructive policy when we see a great nation moving on with stately steps, which could be adopted by foreign nations." If revenue unimpeded, to the height of happiness, opulence, and gran-alone is wanted, duties for that object should be imposed. deur; when every portion, however minute, partakes am- If protection to domestic industry is required, let duties ply of general prosperity, it would seem that the "appa- be imposed to "foster it." Why should the chief object rent exceptions to the harmony of the prospect" might be be revenue--why protection secondary--when the Treapermitted to melt down in warm felicitations, that the sury may be full? Many now apprehend that our reveprospect" of our whole country is so nobly gratifying.nue is, and will be, too abundant. But protection "against It is to this wide and comprehensive prospect that we may the most selfish and destructive policy of foreign nations" safely look for substantial reasons to preserve that Union, can be secured by duties on imports. By them alone. which it is "most devoutly hoped may prove imperishable." Then they should be adjusted to secure protection. This The committee are much gratified to have the opinion should be the primary object. The protecting power of the President, clearly and fully expressed, that the ta- having once belonged to the States, and now transferred to riff for protecting domestic industry is constitutional. They the General Government, it may be used, as the good of think it proper to quote language so clear and unequivocal. the nation demands, for a primary, not a secondary, object. He says, that "the power to impose duties on imports ori-It ought not to be loosely attached to the skirts of reveginally belonged to the several States. The right to ad- nue. Domestic industry is a single, great, even pre-emijust those duties with a view to the encouragement of do-nent, interest of the nation. It has been intrusted to mestic branches of industry, is so completely incidental to the guardian care of the constitution. It now demands that power that it is difficult to suppose the existence of the exercise of that power, which the States have surren one without the other. The States have delegated their dered, for its promotion and preservation. whole authority over imposts to the General Government, The President, in his message, further observes, that, without limitation or restriction, saving the very inconsi- in the adjustment of protecting duties, the Government derable reservation relating to their inspection laws. This should “be guided by the general good." As an abstract authority having thus passed from the States, the right to proposition this may be admitted. The general interexercise it for the purpose of protection does not exist in est is the interest of each; and it is only necessary that them; and, consequently, if it be not possessed by the Gene-that interest should be understood to ensure the cordial ral Government, it must be extinct. Our political system support of some who think it encourages abuses which would thus present the anomaly of a people stripped of the ought to be corrected, and promotes injustice which ought |