Markets for Free Labor
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Title
Markets for Free Labor
Description
We have repeatedly called the attention of our readers, to the gross neglect of the interests of Free-Labor, shown in our negotiations with foreign States. Further statements in proof of this, we now submit to their examination.
Our trade with CUBA is highly valuable. In 1840, we imported from that island, merchandize to the amount of $9,835,477; while our exports were but $5,331,471. The fact to which we would direct attention is this--that, while for 14 years, say from 1826 to 1840, our exports to Cuba did not increase one dollar in value, our exports therefrom nearly trebled--for in 1826, they were only $3,894,597.
The reason of this, we presume, is, that our commerce with Cuba is placed under very heavy restrictions. The average per cent duty on the value of our various articles of exports, in her ports was 67 PER CENT! The average per cent on English imports at the same time was only 12 percent!!
Have any systematic efforts been made by our Government to relieve our commerce from this iniquitous burthen? We known of none. And why? The reader may guess the reason, when we state, that slave-labor staples constitute not one-fifth of our exports thither. The balance is the product of Free-Labor. Does any one doubt, that, did cotton, rice, sugar, or tobacco, enter chiefly into our commerce with Cuba, the mightiest efforts of every administration would have been made to secure more favorable terms? Let the protracted negotiations of the government with England, France, the German Union &c--answer.
Let us now look at our trade with BRAZIL. And here we quote Mr. Webster, as sufficient authority.
"There is no more unequal trade in the world," he remarks, "than that between the United States and Brazil. It is altogether on one side. The United States takes some five millions, (I believe trifle more,) of Brazilian products untaxed; and half a million slightly taxed--I mean her sugar. And what do they receive from us untaxed? Nothing at all! Their taxes on commodities from the United States are excessively high. They tax the products of the labor and lands of this country and sea 30, 40 and 48 per cent? We take five millions untaxed, and a half million slightly taxed.
"How did they stand with England under the late treaty between that country and England?--Her stipulation by treaty--which still exists--was that English commodities should not be taxed more than 15 per cent. English cotton, clothing, &c., is taxed only 15 per cent., and ours from 30 to 50 per cent! Yet England taxes them 100 per cent, on some commodities. We take Brazil coffee free, and England taxes it 6 to 12 per cents per lb. Is that an equal treaty?
Of course the tables of our exports to Brazil show no increase for years. If there be any increase of the trade, it is all to the advantage of that Power. In three years, 1838, 1839, 1840, the value of our merchandise was, 6,374,817 dol., on which she charged duty to the amount of 1,466,207 dol.
Has our government tried the effect of negotiations in putting our trade on a better footing?--Not at all--an why?
In 1839, two thirds of our exports to Brazil consisted of Flour, and the balance of cotton goods, other manufactures, provisions &c., nearly all the products of free labor!
Similar disadvantages burden our trade with MEXICO, from which we recive four or five times as much as she receives from us. In 1840, our imports therefrom were 4,927,296 dollars; our exprts thither, 969,038. When we tell the reader, that our exports to Mexico consist chiefly of cotton goods, manufactures of iron, flour, and other products of free labor, he will no longer wonder at the inattention of our slavery-ruled government to this commerce.
The history of our relations with HAYTI, present a most humiliating picture of the subjection of the interests and wishes of the freemen of this Union to the tyranny of the slaveholders. In another number we shall say something about it.
Our trade with CUBA is highly valuable. In 1840, we imported from that island, merchandize to the amount of $9,835,477; while our exports were but $5,331,471. The fact to which we would direct attention is this--that, while for 14 years, say from 1826 to 1840, our exports to Cuba did not increase one dollar in value, our exports therefrom nearly trebled--for in 1826, they were only $3,894,597.
The reason of this, we presume, is, that our commerce with Cuba is placed under very heavy restrictions. The average per cent duty on the value of our various articles of exports, in her ports was 67 PER CENT! The average per cent on English imports at the same time was only 12 percent!!
Have any systematic efforts been made by our Government to relieve our commerce from this iniquitous burthen? We known of none. And why? The reader may guess the reason, when we state, that slave-labor staples constitute not one-fifth of our exports thither. The balance is the product of Free-Labor. Does any one doubt, that, did cotton, rice, sugar, or tobacco, enter chiefly into our commerce with Cuba, the mightiest efforts of every administration would have been made to secure more favorable terms? Let the protracted negotiations of the government with England, France, the German Union &c--answer.
Let us now look at our trade with BRAZIL. And here we quote Mr. Webster, as sufficient authority.
"There is no more unequal trade in the world," he remarks, "than that between the United States and Brazil. It is altogether on one side. The United States takes some five millions, (I believe trifle more,) of Brazilian products untaxed; and half a million slightly taxed--I mean her sugar. And what do they receive from us untaxed? Nothing at all! Their taxes on commodities from the United States are excessively high. They tax the products of the labor and lands of this country and sea 30, 40 and 48 per cent? We take five millions untaxed, and a half million slightly taxed.
"How did they stand with England under the late treaty between that country and England?--Her stipulation by treaty--which still exists--was that English commodities should not be taxed more than 15 per cent. English cotton, clothing, &c., is taxed only 15 per cent., and ours from 30 to 50 per cent! Yet England taxes them 100 per cent, on some commodities. We take Brazil coffee free, and England taxes it 6 to 12 per cents per lb. Is that an equal treaty?
Of course the tables of our exports to Brazil show no increase for years. If there be any increase of the trade, it is all to the advantage of that Power. In three years, 1838, 1839, 1840, the value of our merchandise was, 6,374,817 dol., on which she charged duty to the amount of 1,466,207 dol.
Has our government tried the effect of negotiations in putting our trade on a better footing?--Not at all--an why?
In 1839, two thirds of our exports to Brazil consisted of Flour, and the balance of cotton goods, other manufactures, provisions &c., nearly all the products of free labor!
Similar disadvantages burden our trade with MEXICO, from which we recive four or five times as much as she receives from us. In 1840, our imports therefrom were 4,927,296 dollars; our exprts thither, 969,038. When we tell the reader, that our exports to Mexico consist chiefly of cotton goods, manufactures of iron, flour, and other products of free labor, he will no longer wonder at the inattention of our slavery-ruled government to this commerce.
The history of our relations with HAYTI, present a most humiliating picture of the subjection of the interests and wishes of the freemen of this Union to the tyranny of the slaveholders. In another number we shall say something about it.
Source
Philanthropist 8:1, p. 2
Date
9.20.1843
Collection
Citation
“Markets for Free Labor,” No Stain of Tears and Blood, accessed October 22, 2026, https://productsoffreelabor.com/items/show/112.
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