Of the SECRETARY of the TREASURY to the
HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES.
Treasury Department, J&n- 9> 1 79°*
[continuation FROM N'O. 89.]
THE fame fail affords a fertility to the merchant, that he is
not likely to be prejudiced by rontiderable duties oil such ar
ticles. They will usually command a proportional price. The
chief things in this view to be attended to, aie, that the terms of
pavmeiu be so regulated, as not to require inconvenient advances,
and that the mode of colletHon'be secure.
Toother reasons, which plead for carrying the duties upon the
articles which have been mentioned, to as great an extent as they
will bear, may be added these ; that they are of a nature, from
their txtenfive consumption, to be very produ&ive, and arc a
mongst the mod difficult objects, of illicit introdu6lion.
Invited by so many motives to make the belt use of the re
fourcc, which these articles afford, the tflVntial enquiry is—in
what mode can the duties upon them be mod efte£fcually collid
ed ?
With regard to such of them, as will be brought from abroad, a
duty on importation recommends itfclf by two leading considera
tions ; one is, that meeting the object at its entrance into the
country, the colle&ion is drawn to a pomt, and so tar Amplified ;
the other is, that it avoids the poflibilitv of interference between
the regulations of-lhc United States, and thofeofthe particular slates.
But a duty, the precautions for the collection of which tliould
terminate with the landing of the goods, as is essentially the cafe
in the existing system, couid not, with falefy, be carried to the ex
tent, which is contemplated.
In that fvftcm, the evasion of the duties, depends as it were, on
a Tingle risk. To land the goods in defiance of the vigilance of
the officers of the customs, is almofl, the lole difficulty. No future
puiiuit, is materially, to be apprehended. And where the induc
mcnt is equivalent to the risk. there will be found too many, who
arc willing to run it! Consequently there will be extensive frauds
ot the revenue, againtl which the utmoil rigor of penal laws, has
proved, as often as it has been tried, an ineffectual guard.
The only expedient which has been discovered, for conciliating
high duties with a fafe collection, is, the eltablilhment of a Jc
cond or interior scrutiny.
By purfuingthe article, from its importation, into the hands of
the dealers in it, the risk. of dete& ion is so greatly inhanced,
that few, in comparison, will venture to incur it. Indeed every
dealer, who is not himtelf the fraudulent importer, then be
comes, in fomc fort, a cerjtincl upon him.
The introduction of a system, founded on this principle, in
some shape or other, is, in the opinion of the Secretary, eirential
to the efficacy of every attempt, to render the revenues ot the Uni
ted States equal tD their exigencies, their fafety, their prosperity,
their honor.
Nor is it less < Hernial to the interell of the hoheft and fair tra
der. It might even be added, that every individual citizen, be
sides his snare in the general weal, has a particular interell in it.
The practice of-faniggliug never fails to have one or two effects, and
fonictimes unites them both. Either the smuggler underfelh the
frfir trader, as, by saving the he can afford to do* and makes
:t a charge upon him ; or he fells at the intreafed price occafloned
by the duty, and defiauds every man, who buys of him, of what
the public ought to receive. For it is evident, that the loss falls
ultimately upon the citizens, who mud be charged with other tax
es to make good the deficiency, and supply the wants of the ftaie.
The Secretary will not preiume, that the plan* which he fhal 1
fubmitto the confidcration of the House, is the bed that could be
devised. But it is the one, which has appeared to him freed from
objc£Hons of any, that has occurred ot equal efficacy. He ac
knowledges too, that it is susceptible of improvement, by other
precautions in favor of the revenue, which he did not think it ex
pedient to add. The chief outlines ot the plan arc not original,
but it is no ill recommendation of it, that it has been tried With
success.
The Secretary accordingly proposes,
That the duties heretofore laid upon wines, dillilled fpirit6,
teas and coffee, should, after the last day of May next, ctafe, and
that instead of them, the following duties be laid.—
Upon every gallon of Madeira Wine, oi the quality of London
particular, thirty-five cents.
Upon every gallon of other Madeira Wine, thirty cents.
Upon every gallon ot Sherry, twenty-five cents.
Upon every gallon of other Wine, twenty cents.
tJpon every gallon of diililled Spirits, more than ten per cent.
below proof, according to Dicas'shydrometer, twenty cents.
XJpon every gallon of those Spirits under five, and not more
than ten per cent, below proof, according to the fame hydrom
eter, twenty-one cents.
Upon every gallon of those Spitis of proof, and not more than
five per ccnt. below proof, according to the fame hydrom
eter, twenty-two cents.
Upon every gallon of those Spirit? above proof, but not ex.
ceeding twenty per ccnt. according to the fame hydrometer
twenty-five cents.
Upon every gallon of those Spirits more than twenty, an<
not more than forty per cent, above proof, according to th
fame hydrometer, thirty cents.
Upon every gallon of those Spirits more than forty per cent
above proof, according to the fame hydrometer, forty cents
Upon every pound of Hyson Tea, forty cents.
tJpon every pound of other Green Tea, twenty-four cents.
Upon every pound of Souchong and other black Teas, excep
Bohea, twenty cents.
Upon every pound of Bohea Tea, twelve cen^s.
Upon every pound of Coffee, five cents.
That upon Spirits diflilled within the United States, from Mo
lafles, Sugar, or other foreign materials, there be paid—
Upon every gallon of tiiofe Spirits, more than ten per cent, be
low proof, according to Dicas's hydrometer, eleven cents.
Upon every gallon of those Spirits under five, and not mor
than ten per cent, below proof, according to the fame hy
drometer, twelve ccnts.
Upon every gallon of those Spirits of proof, and not more thai
five pet cent, below proof, according to the fame hydrom
eter, thirteen cents.
Upon every gallon of those spirits, above proof, but not ex
ceeding twenty per cent, according to the fame hydrometer
fifteen cents.
Upon every gallon of those Spirits, more than twenty, and no
more than forty per cent, above proof, according to the sam
hydrometer, twenty cents.
Upon every gallon of those Spirits more than forty per cent, a
bove-proof, according to the fame hydrometer, tnirty cents
That upon Spirits dillilled within the United States, in any city
town or village, from materials of the growth or production o
the United States, there be paid-~-
Upon every gallon of those spirits more than ten per cent, be
, c i- r\ i— J .— __ -
— / o ; *r " . »
•low proof, according to Dicas's hydrometer, nine cents
Jpon-every gallon of those fpirics under five, and not more
than ten per cent, below proof, according to the fame hy
drometer, ten ccnts.
Upon every gallon of those Spirits of proof, and not more than
five per cent, below prooi, according to tire fame hydrometer,
eleven cents.
Upon every gallon of those Spirits above proof, but not exceed
ing twenty per cent, according to the fame hydrometer,
thirteen cents.
Upon every gallon of those Spirits more t'lan twenty, and not
more than forty perccnt. above proof, according to the farrr
hydrometer, seventeen cents.
REPORT
Upon every gallon of those. Spirits, more than forty per cent,
above proof, according to the fame hydrometer, twenty-five
ccnts.
That upon all Stills employed in distilling Spirits from mate
rials of the growth or produfction of the United States, in any other
place, than a city, town or village, there be paid the yearly sum of
lixty cents, for ever) gallon, Englilh wine mcafure, of the capadi
tv of each Still, including its head.
The Secretary does not distribute the duties on Teas into dif
ferent classes, as has been done in the import ast of the last feflion ;
because this distribution depends on conliderations of commercial
policy, not ot revenue. It is fufficicnt, therefore, for nim to re-;
mark, that the rates, above fpccified, are proposed with refer
ence to the lowcft class.
LETTER. No. II
MR. FEN NO,
IN my firft I believe I have (hown, that the beings of ani
mated nature have positive characters, marked out by ltrong co
lours, tints, and shadows, plain to theobferving eye, and, that the
eftablifhedorder, isincontrovcrtible. Confciousas I am, that these
features are founded on truth—in nature, I could here reft the fub
jett of philosophical enquiry. I mull however not leave untouch
ed an argument, which in the new, as well as in the old world,
has gained powerful advocates : it is in substance, that inftruftion
is able to correal the character of nations, and will make them all
alike.
Strong as this appears to be, it is but applicable, to single exam
amplcs of individuals ; these are of the inferior fpccies of mankind,
the diminutive Newtons, Franklins, and Rittenhoufes ; a more
particular review of nations, will show, that it cannot be admit
tited as a conclusive, argument.
When Europe was in the state of barbarity—when even the
names of the tribes therein living were unknown, then China was
eminent in sciences and arts. China has had but few civil wars,
arid it was but once conquered—by the ManchoeTartariahs ; except
the cutting of the hair, to which the Chinese were compelled ;
the conquerors adopted all other laws, morals and the language of
the conquered. In that empire, peace has almost constantly fof
tered the sciences, but ootwithftanding this, and that thQ Chinese,
were introduced feyeral thousand years since into the temple of
Apollo, they have made no progress, they fland nearly on the
fame ground, where foha and Confoefoe, their Solon, and Trip
tolemus left them—whilst in a few centuries, the Europeans have
set their oriental models far behind them.
The origin of the never conquered Arabians, is wrapped in
dark antiquity; in the remoteftages we find them acquainted with
sciences, and Europe has been enlightened partly by them : but
although their mind was itrenglhened by learning, the ordinary
consequence ot it, civilization, could never introduce itfelf among
the Arabians ; war is their element, and liberty their boast.
Our savage indigenous Americans,have lived, some among us, some
live dill next to oiir frontiers, treaties keep the connec
tion alive ; our civilization, cultivation, and the benefits arising
from it arc before their eyes, yet this makes little impreflion up
on them ; the American saVage is, and will remain, the devouring
wolf of the woods.
The African wool hairy prince, makes war for to fell his specie,
and when prifoiiers are wanting, will fell his fubjc&s ; the man
his wife and children, the mother her offspring, chiefly for (pi
nts ; want of energy, drunkmnefs and laziness, are the leading
features in that specie of men.
Imperfect as this sketch is, I believe however that it confirms,
my general theory. Among us a Julius Ca:tar, a Walhington,
a Locke, a Frederic the 11 Id. of Pruflia, &c. See. show—that even
in the specie avowedly the fame, the differences of powers and
genius are striking. In the national chara&er of the Chincfe, the
Arabian, the favagc American, the wool hairy negro, is exempli
fied, that nature has set diverse limits to the powers of mind in
the different species of men ; and the whole refutes the argu
ment, that initru&ion is able to fct the chara£lcr of nations on an
equal scale.
By drawing a picture of other nations, it would appear in a
still stronger light, that the wool hairy African negro stands in the
eftablilhed order of nature, in the lowest class of mankind ; but
then in lieu of fugitive letters, I should write ti eatifes ; thus, except
certain striking conclusions which I reserVe for my next, we will
therein investigate the fubjett of the wool hairy negro on political
grounds. RUSTICUS.
THE REPUBLICAN.
IN a former number it was incidentally remarked that'government
is an art rather than a science. This remark is 7q obvious,
that it needs neither explanation nor argument to support it. Go
vernment is well known to be in its nature more praQical then
fpeculativc ; and even its improvement and perfection depends
not so much on theoiy al experiment. The fame is true of almoil
all the fcvcral branches of knowledge. In the common affairs
of life experience is' acknowledged to be the surest guide. He who
relies upon the abftraft speculations of the closet, to govern his
conduit, makes frequent mistakes, and meets with a thou (and mor
tifying disappointments, Which are avoided by another, who has
no better natural talents, but has been educated in the school of
experience. Those writers too, who have been real fpeeulators
or aftots in the scenes, which they describe, easily command our
attention and belief. Who does not more credit toChefter
field's observations on men and manners, altho be i« juflly con
demned for the licencioufnefs of his principles, than to the dry
precepts contained in the writings of metaphydcians and mora 1-
ifts, or ihe fanciful inventions, tnat are to be found in romances
and novels ? Why are Cicero's writings on oratory read with so
much eagerness; unless it is, because they are believed to be the
refi'lt of his own experience ? We feel a peculiar fatilfaflion in
attending to Mr. Locke's dircfiions concerning the right conduct
of the undcrftanding, not only for their solidity and good sense,
but also, because they are recommended by the experience of a'
man, who conducted his own undcrftanding so judiciouflu, and.
so greatly enlarged the circumference of knowledge bv hisrefear-'
ches into the powers of the human mind. For a fim'ilar reason,
wc derive a double pleasure from Sir Isaac Newton's rules of phi
lafophifing, from Sully's memoirs of the art of negociation, or
Necker's maxims and calculations of finance. A rcfpe&ful at
tention is no more than is due to experience. For it* diftatcs are
infallible. They (land the tell of examination, and nevervanifli
before the light of new discoveries. But the systems of mere
theoriftsare in general little better than ingenious cafties in the air.
A historical review of the celebrated theories of philofbphy and
government, which have fucceflively had their day of admiration
and been exploded one after another, would afford matter of a
musement, and would not be entirely barren of inftiuckion. Plato
could discourse like an angel on truth, virtue, sentimental love
and other moral fubjefts ; but he seems to have been crazy or
certainly in a dream, when he projected his ideal republic. So
wild is the mod enlightened genius, when it isndl giifded by ex
perience ! The Utopia of Sir Thomas More, who Was a man of
letters and virtue too, is ncverthelefs so romantic that it has lon E
been proverbial for its imprafticablily. The learned Vice-Pre
sident of the United States has by historical deductions fuHy de
monstrated the absurdity of several other more modern fvftems
fornnd without any praflical acquaintance with the fubieih' But
perhaps there never was a more egregious cxamplc-of the 'impo
tcnce ol (peculation unaffified by praaice, than the juftlycelebra
ted Mi. Locke. That great and good mSn, who was confeffcdlv
the subtlest logician of his age, and the ablest champion of civil li
bciiV; lisv.ng boldly forght and fairly flaiii the giant of divine he
364
No.—lll
reditary right; afterwards, at the rtqwil of tU proprietors un
dertook to conftruft a Constitution for Carolina. Forthis'pu'
pose he retired to his study, and following the ignis fatuus ot ab
llraft speculation, iiiftead ofconfulting the oraclts of history, and
human nature, produced from his own brain a chimerical fchcm
which in its operation tended to the oppoute points of tyranny and
anarchy. The Carolinians struggled with its irnpetfe&ions, until
their patience was spent; and at length were impelled by the nr
ceflity of their situation to refill. A revolution ensued: and a ro\"
al government, with all its train of oppressions, was prefered to
their sine-spun proprietory form. A plain American Farmer of
common education and abilities, who has read the numerous pub.
lications contained in news-papers and pamphlets for ten yea s
pall in this country, and has attended and aflifted in legislative af
iemblies and conventions forfotming or adopting conftitutiont
might be more fafely cntrufted with the important business of
framing a government, than the illustrious Locke, with all his lo
gic and learning, but void of experience.
PRICE CURRENT. NEW-YORK.
FEBRUARY
JAMAICA Spirits, ,5/6.
Antigua Rum, 4/9. a SJ.
St. Croix, do. 4/8.
Country, do. 3/.
MolafTes, 2/2.
Brandy, 6/6. a 6/3.
Geneva, $f
Do. in cases, 28f. a 20f.
Muscovado Sugar, 80s. a jif
Loaf, do. if 3.
Lump, do. 1/14.
Pc pp"> 3/3 ,
Pimento, if. a IJ4.
Coffee, 1/7. a IfS.
Indigo, (Carolina) 3f. a 6f.
Do. French, 18f.
Rice, 21 s.
Superfine Flour, 64 f.
Common do. ifif
Rye 'do. 26f. 028f.
Indian Meal, 18f. 20f.
R ye, 4J9- pr- W*-
\'/heat, iof6.
Corn, (Southern) 4f
Do. (Northern,) 4/3. a qfS.
Beef, firft quality, 4sf. a 48f.
Pork, firft quality,' "jof. a 7sf
Oats, 1/7.
Flax-feea, 5/9 a 6f.
Ship bread per cwt. 21f.
Country refined ) 2 g, a ,
bar-iron, ) 0
Do. bloomery, 251. a 261.
Swedes do. 451.
Ruflia do. 301.
Pig-iron, 81 10f. a 91.
German ftcel, per lb. gd.
Nails American, by cask. ) j
per. lb. 4 d. J **
Do. do. do. 6d. 12d.
Do. do. do. Bd. g£d.
Do. do. do. tod.}
Do. do. do* i2d.( , j 01 ,
Do. do. do. 2.od.r^
Do. do. do, 24d.)
Pot ash, per tor, 391. a 401.
Pearl afti, 481 a 501.
Bees-wax per lb. 2/*.
Mackaiel per barr. 26/! a 30f.
Herrings, 18/T
Mahogany, Jamaica, ) ,
per foot, J
Dominico, do. gd.
Honduras, do. yd.
Logwood unchipped,pr.ton. 81.
Do. chipped. 141.
2 inch white oak ) , _
plank, pern,. J '"1. to/
1 inch do. 51.
2 inch white pine fjlank, 81.
tj inch do. 61. tof.
1 inch do. gl. 10/.
2 inch pitch pine do. 101.
1J inch do. 61. 10/
1 inch do. 41.
Pitch pine fcantlihg, gl. Bf.
Cyprus 2 feet shingles, 11. 10/
Do. 22 inch do. 1). 8/
Cedar 2 inch do. jl. 10/
T ° be LE T,
And pofieflion given the xft of April, for one or more years, (two
miles and half from this city, on the Greenwich road,)
r New TWO STORY HOUSE—four
Rooms on a floor ; with fix fireplaces; a new Barn, and
We 1 of excellent Water ; a young Orchard of Fruit Trees, with
74 acres of Land, themoft part Meadow. For particulars enquire
at No. 7, Maiden-Lane. New-York, February »o.
THIS DAY IS PUBLISHED,
(Price Six Shillings, bound and Uttered)
And to be fold, by appointment of the Author, by Messrs. Berk y
and Rogers, No. 35, by A. M'Lean, N0.41, (Franklins
Head) Hanover Square, and by the Editor hereof, No. 9, Mai
den-Lane,
GEOGRAPHY MADE EASY :
being AN abridgement of the '
AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY.
CONTAINING,
/\ STRONOMICAL Geography : Discovery and General Dc-
V fcription of America : General View of the United States:
Particular Accounts of the Thirteen United States, in regard to
their Boundaries, Extent, Rivers, Lakes, Mountains, Produc
tions, Population, Chara&ers, Government, Trade, Manufac
tures, Curiosities, Hjftory, See.
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
. A Geographical Account of the European settlements in Ame
rica ; and of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Illustrated with eight neat MAPS and CUTS.
Calculated peculiarly for the use of Schools in the United States.
BY JEDID IAH MORSE, A. M.
Minister of the Congregation in Charleftown, near Boston.
Second Editon. Abridged by the Author.
An } ork which has long been wanted, to accommodate Schools',
fortheufc of children in families. Geography now claims a very ge
neral attention—and that oj our country in a particular manner \ soT
in proportion as this is vnderjlood it will injpire the rising generation
with elevated ideas of their own chara&er> when contemplating the mag
njicent theatre on which they are to a£t the pajts ajfignea them : Heme
the propriety of the obfervaiien —
Let all foreign climes alone,
Till you undeiftand your own.
' 2 4- -Doli ars at Bs.
Do. 22 inch do. iL 6/.
Do. 18. inch do. 18f
Butt white oak Haves, otr
Pipe do. do. gj.
Hogshead do. do. 61. to/
Do. do. heading, 81.
Irilh barrel do. Haves, 3l.tr
Hoglhead red aak do. d. If
Do. French do. 51.
Hoglhead hoopi, A i.
Whiteoak square timber )
per square foot, \
Red wood, per ton, 281.
Fuftick, tol.
Beaver, per lb. \if. a
Ott r per Ikin, gf. 32/
Grey fox, 4/7.
Martin, 4/0.
Racoon, jjf, a nfi.
Mufkrat, tod. a nd.
Beaver hats, 64/
Castor do. 48/.
I Chocolate, 1
Cocoa, 70/ a 80/.
Cotton, 1/9.
Tar, pr. bar. itf.aiif.
Pitch, 16/.
Turpentine, iS/.atof.
Tobacco, James kiver, 4d. *aW.
Do. York, 411, a 3ld.
Do. Rappahanock, 2d a 3
Do. Maryland, coloured, ${d.
Do. Welkm-lhore, 2d a 3W.
Lead in pigs, pr cwt. 60/
Do. bars, 68f.
Do W, 6#
Red 1 d 68/
White df). dry,
WhitcVr/'. in oil, 5/. i?/
Salt-pe c 'e hams, jfcd.
Sperm?* eti candles, §f.
uaf. a if
Tallow>dipt, q£d.
Soap, sfi. a id.
Castile soap, 9d. a iod.
English cheese, pr. lb. 1
Country do. tjd.
Butter, 1/
Hyson tea, 9/6. a 1 of.
Sequin do. 6/0.
Bohea do. 2/8. a 2fg
Ginseng, zf, a a/6.
Staich Poland* jd.
Snuff, 2/3.
Allum fait, water mea- )
sure, pr. bush. ) &
Liverpool do. sis.
Madeira wine, > fc/ , J
pr. pipe, 5
Port, 46/.
Lisbon, pr. gal. cj.
\ Teneriffj 4/!
I F ya». 3/3-
Dutch gun-powder,pr. cwt. 8/•
Nail rods, pr. ton, 34/. 36/.
Lintfeed oil, pr. gal. 4f.
Whale do. pr. barrel, 50/. ass.
Spermaceti do, 61.
Shake-down hhds. 3/6