American State Papers Volume 3, V. 3; Documents, Legislative and Executive of the Congress of the United States (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1834 Excerpt: ...they have had a general preference and afford one of her advantages of obtaining the products of other nations by the employment of her people. The duty on papers taken into England has remained for a long time, by the tariff, at nineteen pence sterling per pound, and a drawback of three pence per pound is allowed on the export of her own paper, which is equal to the excise laid on that consumed at home; so that it appears the advantages derived from the employment of the people have not been retarded, even when in competition with the revenue. But we have had to contend alike against the manufactures of England and those of the continent; for while the improvements in this country required us to make paper of a superior quality, to compare with the English paper, we have had to do it under a competition with the prices of the low qualities of the papers from France, Spain, and Italy; which being excluded from England, were sent here, and obtained a sale from their cheapness, when their quality would not have commanded it. We have been thus exposed to the collision of the interests of different nations from which their own laws severally protected them at home, and in one of which the export has been even promoted by a bounty. This would never have taken effect but among ourselves, and it affords at once a striking instance of the means used to export their surplus products, and to contend with each other for the advantage of a distant market. Nor have the various objects of the country been promoted by this competition. The revenue obtained has not been considerable; for although large quantities of low priced paper, from France, Spain, and Italy, have been imported, so as to prevent the demands upon our factories, and to anticipate the consumption of the ...