PAPER.
Manufactories of paper are among those which are arrived at the greatest maturity in the United States, and are most adequate to national supply. That of paper hangings is a branch in which respectable progress has been made.
Nothing material seems wanting to the further success of this valuable branch, which is already protected by a competent duty on similar imported articles.
In the enumeration of the several kinds made subject to that duty sheathing and cartridge paper have been omitted. These being the most simple manufactures of the sort and necessary to military supply as well as shipbuilding, recommend themselves equally with those of other descriptions to encouragement, and appear to be as fully within the compass of domestic exertions.
PRINTED BOOKS.
The great number of presses disseminated throughout the Union seem to afford an assurance that there is no need of being indebted to foreign countries for the printing of the books which are used in the United States. A duty of 10 per cent instead of 5, which is now charged upon the article, would have a tendency to aid the business internally.
It occurs as an objection to this that it may have an unfavorable aspect toward literature by raising the prices of books in universal use in private families, schools, and other seminaries of learning. But the difference, it is conceived, would be without effect.
As to books which usually fill the libraries of the wealthier classes and of professional men, such an augmentation of prices as might be occasioned by an additional duty of 5 per cent would be too little felt to be an impediment to the acquisition.
And with regard to books which may be specially imported for the use of particular seminaries of learning and of public libraries a total exemption from duty would be advisable, which would go far toward obviating the objection just mentioned. They are now subject to a duty of 5 per cent.
As to the books in most general family use, the constancy and universality of the demand would insure exertions to furnish them at home, and the means are completely adequate. It may also be expected ultimately in this, as in other cases, that the extension of the domestic manufacture would conduce to the cheapness of the article.
It ought not to pass unremarked that to encourage the printing of books is to encourage the manufacture of paper.
REFINED SUGARS AND CHOCOLATE.
These are among the number of extensive and prosperous domestic manufactures.
Drawbacks of the duties upon the materials of which they are respectively made in cases of exportation would have a beneficial influence upon the manufacture, and would conform to a precedent
