THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 291 The Lead Mines of this and the adjoining Territory are 0£ incal- culable extent and it is believed are equal in richness to any in the world, and being principally the property 0£ the United States, would if properly wrought produce a very handsome revenue to the Government and add another most important item to the pros- perity and Independence of the Nation by promoting the develop- ment of its internal resources and affording an abundant supply of one of the most usefull and necessary articles of National de- fence, as well as individual consumption, Impressed therefore with the conviction that most important consequences will result to the Nation at large as well as to those States and Territories indi- vidually where Lead Mines are found from an increase of the duty upon the importation of crude Lead, and deeming that a branch of .Manufacture so important in a national point of view aught to re- ceive the same encouragement which has been ·so liberally bestowed upon others, Your Memorialists respectfully solicit Congress to lay an addition[al] duty upon the importatJ.on of Crude Lead into the United States- .And your Memorialists further represe·nt that in consequence of there haveing been as yet no appropriations of Public Lands in this Territory for the use of Schools there are no Academical Institutions in the Country whence evils are dayly resulting which are in the highest degree pernicious and indeed ruinous to the harmony· and morals of society, and obnoxious to the vital principles of Republi- canism which eminating :from enlightened Reason have every thing to dread :from the ignorance of the people. Congress are therefore most respectfully and earnestly solicited to devote an early atten- tion to such measures as will tend to promote the difusion of usefull knowledge in this Territory and for that purpose to .appropriate at this time and untill :further provisions are made, So much of the Revenue arising from the Public Lead Mines as may be deemed sufficient :for the establishment and support of an Academy at the Town of in the County of . in this Territory which is recommended as a situation combineing ·au the advantages of locality Healthiness and Economy so essential for such an estab- lishment- ' , A Memorial to Congress praying for an increase of the duty on the importation of crude Lead into the United States and also that appropriations may be made from the revenue arising from the public Lead Mines for the establishment and support of a Literary Institution in this Territory. •
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