The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States, Seventeenth Congress, First Session, [Volume 1] Page: 19
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19
Senate.
HISTORY OF CONGRESS.
President's Annual Message.
20
December, 1821:
in 1819 and 1820, which hail been the result of the
languid state of our foreign commerce in those years,
had, in the latter year, reached its extreme point of
depression. It has, however, been ascertained that
that point was reached only at the termination of the
first quarter of the present year. From that time
until the 20th of September last, the duties secured
have exceeded those of the corresponding quarters of
the last year, one million one hundred and seventy-
two thousand dollars; whilst the amount of deben-
tures, issued during the three first quarters of this
year, is nine hundred and fifty-two thousand dollars
less than that of the same quarters of the last year.
There are just grounds to believe that the improve-
ment which has occurred in the revenue, during the
last mentioned period, will not only bo maintained,
but that it will progressively increase through the next
and several succeeding years, so as to realize the re-
sults which were presented upon that subject, by the
official reports of the Treasury, at the commencement
of the last session of Congress.
Under the influence of the most unfavorable circum-
stances, the revenue, for the next and subsequent
years, to the year 1825, will exceed the demands at
present authorized by law.
It may fairly be presumed, that, under the protection
given to domestic manufactures, by the existing laws,
we shall become, at no distant period, a manufacturing
country, on an extensive scale. Possessing, as we do,
the raw materials in such vast amount, with a capa-
city to augment them to an indefinite extent; raising
within the country aliment of every kind, to an amount
far exceeding the demand for home consumption, even
in the most unfavorable years, and to be obtained
always at a very moderate price ; skilled also, as our
people are, in the mechanic arts, and in every im-
provement calculated to lessen the demand for, and
the price of, labor, it is manifest that their success, in
every branch of domestic industry, may and will be
carried, under the encouragement given by the present
duties, to an extent to meet any demand, which, under
a fair competition, may be made upon it.
A considerable increase of domestic manufactures,
by diminishing the importation of foreign, will probably
tend to lessen the amount of the public revenue. As,
however, a large proportion of the revenue which is
derived from duties, is raised from other articles than
manufactures, the demand for which will increase
with our population, it is believed, that a fund will
still be raised from that source adequate to the greater
part of the public expenditures, especially as those ex-
penditures, should we continue to be blessed with peace,
will be diminished by the completion of the fortifica-
tions, dock-yards, and other public works ; by the aug-
mentation of the Navy to the point to which it is
proposed to carry it; and by the payment of the public
debt, including pensions for military services.
It cannot be doubted, that the more complete our
internal resources, and the less dependent we are on
foreign Powers, for every national, as well as domestic
purpose, the greater and more stable will be the public
felicity. By the increase of domestic manufactures
will the demand for the rude materials at home be
increased, and thus will the dependence of the several
parts of our Union on each other, and the strength of
the Union itself, be proportionably augmented. In
this process, which is very desirable, and inevitable
under the existing duties, the resources which obvi-
ously present themselves to supply a deficiency in the
revenue, should it occur, are the interests which may
derive the principal benefit from the change. I£ do-
mestic manufactures are raised by duties on foreign,
the deficiency in the fund necessary for public purposes
should be supplied by duties on the former. At the
last session it seemed doubtful whether the revenue
derived from the present sources would be adequate to
all the great purposes of our Union, including the
construction of our fortifications, the augmentation of
the Navy, and the protection of our commerce against
the dangers to which it is exposed. Had the deficiency
been such as to subject us to the necessity, either to
abandon those measures of defence, or to resort to
other means for adequate funds, the course presented
to the adoption of a virtuous and enlightened people
appeared to be a plain one. It must be gratifying to
all to know that this necessity does not exist. Noth-
ing, however, in contemplation of such important
objects, which can be easily provided for, should be
left to hazard. It is thought that the revenue may re-
ceive an augmentation from the existing sources, and
in a manner to aid our manufactures, without hasten-
ing prematurely the result which has been suggested.
It is believed that a moderate additional duty on cer-
tain articles would have that effect, without being
liable to any serious objection.
The examination of the whole coast, for the con-
struction of permanent fortifications, from St. Croix to
the Sabine, with the exception of part of the territory
lately acquired, will be completed in the present year,
as will be the survey of the Mississippi, under the
resolution of the House of Representatives, from the
mouth of the Ohio to the ocean—and, likewise, of the
Ohio, from Louisville to the Mississippi. A progress,
corresponding with the sums appropriated, has also
been made in the construction of these fortifications
at the points designated. As they will form a system
of defence for the whole maritime frontier, and, in
consequence, for the interior, and are to last for ages,
the greatest care has been taken to fix the position of
each work, and to form it on such a scale as will be
adequate for the purpose intended by it. All the in-
lets and assailable parts of our Union have been mi-
nutely examined, and positions taken, with a view to
the best effect, observing, in every instance, a just
regard for economy. Doubts, however, being enter-
tained, as to the propriety of the position and extent
of the work at Dauphin Island, further progress in it
was suspended, soon after the last session of Congress,
and an order given to the Board of Engineers and
Naval Commissioners to make a further and more
minute examination of it, in both respects, and to
report the result, without delay.
Due progress has been made in the construction of
vessels of war, according to the law providing for the
gradual augmentation of the Navy, and to the extent
of existing appropriations. The vessels authorized by
the act of 1820 have all been completed, and a^e now
in actual service. None of the larger shjfte have
been, or wiil be, launched, for the present,'the object
being to protect all which may not be,fequired for
immediate service, from decay, by suitable buildings
erected over them. A squadron has Been maintained,
as heretofore, in the Mediterranean, by means whereof
peace has been preserved with the Barbary fowers.
This squadron has been reduced the present year to
as small a force as is compatible with the fulfilment of
the object intended by it. From past experience, and
the best information respecting the views of those
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Gales and Seaton. The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States, Seventeenth Congress, First Session, [Volume 1], book, 1855; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc30365/m1/8/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.