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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1841
405
necessary for purpose of trade and commerce. The rock on which we have been wrecked must in future be avoided. So long as the amount did not exceed six hundred and fifty thousand dollars our money remained nearly at par in foreign markets whilst at home it suffered no depreciation. In the ratio of ex- cessive increase in issue was its depreciation, until it sunk into its present almost valueless condition. In commencing anew it is proper that we adopt a system, from which no emergency will induce a departure. Instructed by experience in the fallacy of the past, we can have no excuse for a failure in our pledges for the future. The principal reason why I decline to diminish direct taxation and rely upon impost duties as a source of revenue is, that I deem them the most just and equitable, and least burthensome to the actual laborer and productive classes of the country. Direct tax- ation bears immediately upon the farmer whilst a large portion of the community can only be reached by impost duties. It is not the agriculturist that is generally the consumer of articles of foreign manufacture and importation; but those who produce nothing from the soil and rely upon other pursutis for a subsis- tence and who are not so directly engaged in developing the resources of the country, will be most sensibly affected by tariff regulations, and thereby contribute a fair proportion to the sup- port of the government. If the farmer is necessarily compelled to purchase articles for consumption of foreign importation, he will contribute through the merchant to that branch of revenue--the merchant having added the duty to the price of the article sold. The merchant will receive the produce of the farmer in exchange for his goods; whereas otherwise, the farmer would pay cash into the Treasury for his direct taxes, where, of course, nothing would be receivable but money. Thus, have I submitted my views to the Congress in relation to the finances of the country; not in a spirit of dictation but of 1·ecommendation and advisement. Upon the system that may be adopted depends our national existence. The Executive being held responsible for the execution of the laws and the defence of the nation, must have the necessary means placed at his command for their accomplishment. At this time there are none; nor has the President on any occasion any disposition to violate the constitution by expending the substance of the country or incurring national liabilities by the use of means which have not been appropriated to him by the laws.
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