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SENATE.]

Duty on Alum Salt.

[FEB. 8, 1831.

am also persuaded, that if it could be afforded to be use of salt was to be ascribed the circumstance of four sprinkled on the layers of hay, when making into the rick, times the number of sheep having been reared on a stein catching weather, it would prevent its heating and rile common, than would otherwise have subsisted on it; getting mouldy. I had once some small cattle tied up to and that the wool of these flocks is not only the finest in fatten, which did not thrive, owing, as the bailiff said, to the whole country, but bears the highest price of any in the badness of the hay, of which they wasted more than France. The fineness of the wool of the Spanish sheep they ate; but, by sprinkling it with water in which some is also attributed, in a great measure, to the free use of salt had been dissolved, they returned to eat it greedily. salt. It is not, therefore, I presume, an extraordinary poI am free to say, a proper quantity of salt would prevent cattle from being hoven by an excess of green food.

EXTRACT.

sition to say, that, by a proper use of common salt, the same quantity of forage might, on many occasions, be made to go twice as far as it could have done, in feeding

8. Mr. Thomas Bourne's examination.--The commit-animals, had the salt been withheld from them! tee understand you are a merchant, residing at Liverpool?

I am.

Can you speak as to the probable effect of the repeal of the salt duties on your trade?

It would be a good thing, in my opinion, for the country at large, and also the manufactures.

Have you any knowledge of its being used in food for animals?

Yes, to horses in particular.

Has it a good effect?

Yes.

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EXTRACT.

10. Mr. Charles G. Cothill, examined.--What is your profession?

Answer. A bacon and provision merchant, residing in Judd street, Brunswick square.

What is the nature and amount of your business, and how far has it been affected by the salt duties?

Answer. About fifty years ago my father established a manufactory in Vine street, and expended £10,000 in adapting the premises for the curing of bacon and the salting of pork. Our annual returns were about £50,000: Then do you not suppose, if the restrictions were taken it is now diminished to less than £1,000 annually, in conoff, it would come into more general use among the farm-sequence, as I apprehend, of the very high duties on salt, ers, for stock of all kinds? as our trade has diminished progressively as those duties have increased.

It would in that instance; we used to have five horses in our rock salt mine, and those horses always appeared in good condition, though very much worked.

Were they liable to less disorders than those out of the mine?

Yes; much less.

Do you not consider that the breed of hogs has also diminished, in consequence of this increase of duty on salt?

Answer. Very materially; and, as a further proof of what I state, we had a very extensive trade of £200,000 a

Do you happen to know whether they were in the prac-year in hogs; now not £10,000. tice at that time of receiving salt with their food?

Yes; to my knowledge they were.

In what quantity?

About a handful to a quartern of oats.

EXTRACT.

What effect, in your opinion, would a great reduction of the salt duties produce in your business?

Answer. I conceive it would restore our trade: we should then be able to supply the West India markets, and other colonies, with salted pork, cheaper and better than any other country.

What is the quantity of salt used upon 100 weight of pork, to make bacon?

Answer. In a manufactory of bacon, about 12 pounds; to cure a small quantity, about 17 or 18.

EXTRACT.

9. Evidence of Mr. W. Horne.--There are very few farmers who are not aware of the importance of salt in preserving hay, and restoring it when damaged; many of those whom I have conversed with on the subject, have used it for these purposes, and it would generally be resorted to, to the extent of ten or fifteen pounds to the ton of hay, if the duties on salt were repealed. Lord Somer11. Testimony of Sir Thomas Bernard.--I ventured ville has furnished most satisfactory information on this to suggest that a tax on salt was fundamentally wrong in subject; and I know, from respectable authority, that it principle, because it presses most on the class least able to is a common practice in the United States of America to bear the weight--because of its immoral tendency--and sprinkle salt upon hay when forming it into ricks. We because it deprives the nation of benefits, beyond measure also learn from Lord Somerville, that Mr. Darke, of Bree- greater than the whole produce of the impost. The salt don, one of the most celebrated graziers in the kingdom, duties are about a million and a half sterling per annum, mixed salt with his flooded mouldy hay, and that his Here (about seven millions of dollars.) The poor use most salt ford oxen did better on it than others on the best hay he in proportion to their wealth; a cottager in the country ten had; and he was convinced the hay had all its good effects to one in proportion to a nobleman in town. But the beI have learnt from nefits of which the nation is deprived by the salt duties, Mr. Sutton, of Eaton, in Cheshire, that he would give are not easily appreciated, or even numbered. In agrithirty tons (120 bushels, of 56 pounds each,) of salt a culture and rural economy alone, the loss in feeding cattle, year to his cattle, being fifty cows, if the duty were re- sheep, and hogs--in restoring damaged provender-in pealed. In many parts of the United manure, and in the effect on wages, may, without extravaStates of America, salt is generally given to cattle. gance, be supposed to exceed the whole value of the tax. The excellent condition of the horses Equal, perhaps, would be the gain to our manufacturers in the rock-pits of Cheshire, may be adduced in favor of of woollen, linen, glass, earthenware, soap, &c. &c. &c. its benefit in fattening cattle and keeping them in health." by the unrestrained use of muriate and carbonate of soda Many counted that they can attribute the longevity of their and muriatic acid, of which our salt mines and ocean afford horses to the good effects of salt. Mr. Hadfield, of Li- supplies absolutely inexhaustible.

from the salt.

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verpool, furnishes an instance in his horse, thirty years Mr. B. having read, or stated, these extracts, to show old; he constantly gave it rock salt to lick, placing it in the use of salt in agriculture, said there were many other his manger. Mr. Young has furnished us, in the annals witnesses examined, to prove that alum salt, which the of agriculture, with a most interesting and satisfactory English usually called bay salt, because it was made by statement (obtained from the Memoirs of the Royal Acade- solar evaporation, out of sea water in the bay of Biscay, my of Sciences at Paris) on the effect of salt in fattening and other bays, was indispensable to the curing of provi From this report it appears, that to the unlimited sions, for long keeping, or for exportation, other articles

cattle.

FEB. 8, 1831.]

Duty on Alum Salt.

[SENATE.

connected with agriculture, as cheese, butter, bacon, more without encroaching too much on the time of the pickled beef, and pickled pork; and that the English Go-Senate, he said he would introduce the testimony of some vernment permitted alum salt, under the name of bay salt, American witnesses to the same points. He had seen the to be imported both into England and Ireland duty free, statements of the English witnesses last winter; and, being for these purposes, even when the domestic manufacture desirous to hear what Americans would say on the same of common salt in England far exceeded the home de-subject, he had, in the course of the last summer, admand, and furnished millions of bushels for exportation. dressed certain queries to some friends and acquaintances He also stated that the committee of the House of Com- in the Western States, and had received from many of mons had examined the first physicians of Great Britain, them communications of so much interest and value, that to prove the effect of a deficiency of salt in the provisions he should lay them before the Senate; and, first, would of the poor on their health, and that these physicians uni-exhibit the queries for the better understanding of the formly testified that many diseases of the poor, and espe-answers. The names of his correspondents, he said, cially in children, were the effect of using vegetables not would be known to the members of the Senate from the sufficiently salted, and fish and meat not sufficiently cured. States in which they reside; some will be known to the He also stated that the committee had extended their Senators from many States; and some to the whole body examination to the use of salt in various manufactories, of the Senate. and had established, by proof, that a variety of useful manufactures required the abolition of the salt duty. On this point, he read extracts from the examination of Samuel Parkes, Esq. an eminent chemist of London, as follows:

EXTRACT.

12. Examination of Samuel Parkes.--What is your profession?

I am proprietor of the chemical works in Goswell street, London, and of other chemical works in Maiden lane, Islington.

Can you acquaint the committee what are the manufactures most affected by the salt laws?

*

Queries on the state of the salt trade in the Western States. 1. Whether the trade in salt is monopolized? and, if so, at what works? and over how many States do the sales of these monopolists extend?

2. The practices of the monopolists, if any, to enhance the price of salt, and to prevent competition?

3. The prices of domestic and foreign salt in your neighborhood, and the freight of foreign salt from New Orleans?

4. Whether the monopolists have established depots of salt in different States, and appointed agents to sell their salt, and restricted the sales of each depot to its district? How far are the depots apart in your State?

The manufactures of mineral alkali, crystalized soda, muriatic acid, hard soap, distinguished from soft soap, 5. Whether the salt manufacturers have entered into Glauber salt, Epsom salt, magnesia, and sal ammoniac, are agreements with the monopolizers to restrict the quantity all materially affected by the duty on salt; but as common of salt made at the works? to confine the sales to the mosalt, or one or other of the component parts of common nopolists? and to stop working wells and furnaces for salt, is made use of in the composition of a great variety pay? The meaning of the phrase "dead wells," and the of articles that are employed in our manufactures, it is rent of such wells? difficult to answer that question with precision. 6. Whether salt is sold in your neighborhood by weight Respecting soap, I have only to observe, that common salt or measure? If by weight, how many pounds are allowed is absolutely necessary for the manufacture of hard soap; to the bushel? and how much a weighed bushel measures? for however plentifully potash may be produced, large 7. In selling by the barrel, is due allowance made for quantities of common salt must be employed with it, or the weight of the barrel, and for the loss of salt in drying? the soap will be only temporarily hard; it will have no last- If not, what is the difference between the real and nomiing consistence. Salt is employed largely in the nal quantity in the barrel? preparation and manufacture of a great number of other articles that might be enumerated; and in a short time I have no doubt they would all be benefited by the reduction of the duty on salt.

How does the price of salt affect the soap boilers?
As it affects all other trades in which sult is employed.
State the way in which it affects them.

The cheaper it is, the cheaper they will have it if they buy it.

8. Whether the monopolists sell for money, or country produce? for ready pay, or upon credit? and whether the price is higher or lower since the monopoly?

9. Do the monopolists rise and fall in their prices according to the presence or absence of competition? and what salt competes with them?

10. Do they realize great gains?

11. Whether the domestic salt is fit for pickling beef and pork, for curing bacon, and preserving butter, for Do you know any other (manufacturing) purposes for exportation, or consumption in the South, or long keeping?

salt?

Yes: it is used in very large quantities by dyers, when it can be had cheap; and in a great variety of other ways. With respect to the salting of hides, I learn from further inquiry, that the butcher usually applies five pounds of salt to every ox or cow hide which he has occasion to lay by, or to send to the tanner at a distance.

Crystalized soda (made of salt,) is much used in washing. Four hundred tons are annually made at the Long Benton works only.

You have stated that, during the last six or seven years, it has increased from one to four hundred tons.

Yes.

This at the Long Benton works only?

Yes.

Which is made from salt duty free?

Yes. They have an exclusive privilege. When Mr. B. had finished reading these extracts, and expressed his regret that, out of seventy witnesses and four hundred folio pages of testimony, he could read no

12. Whether beef and pork, put in eommon salt, will be received for the use of the army or navy? 13. The necessity and expense of repacking beef and pork in alum salt, in New Orleans, which has been put up in domestic salt?

14. The necessity and advantage of giving salt to horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs? Whether salt is not indispensable to stock in the Western States? Whether there is not a great difference between inland and maritime States in this respect? The reason of that difference? How much salt per head, and how often per week or month ought it to be given to each kind of stock? and whether the farmers in your section of the country are prevented, by the high price and scarcity of salt, from giving as much to their stock as they need?

15. The use and advantage of salt in preserving hay, fodder, and clover? In restoring them, after being da maged by wet?

St. Louis, July, 1830.

SENATE.]

Duty on Alum Salt.

[FEB. 8, 1831.

Communication from G. T. C. MCCLANNAHAN, Esq. of ally; but I am further informed that the lease is out, and

the works are to go into active operation to compete with White, he having let them lie idle heretofore; these are

"dead wells," but the number of dead wells he has I am unable to inform you.

Jackson county, North Alabama, October, 1830. Your first query-the trade of salt is entirely monopolized here by James White, of the Holston salt works, in Virginia. I cannot exactly tell to what States these works furnish salt, but it is to be supposed to the western 6. Salt is sold here by weight, fifty pounds to the parts of Virginia, eastern part of Tennessee, a part of bushel; and fifty pounds (the bushel) of the salt which I North Carolina, the northern part of Georgia, North Ala- tried, (without pressing,) measured 1,188,59515, solid bama, and some in South Alabama, &c. &c. inches, making 4 gallons 13 quarts, dry measure, Query 2d--Colonel J. White has a depot at this place, which is but very little over half a measured bushel. a mile and a half from Tennessee river, down which Therefore, when salt is two dollars the fifty pounds, we stream he boats his salt. And if any person else brings have to pay at the rate of three dollars and sixty-six and salt here to sell, they immediately undersell that person a half cents the measured bushel. This is oppression in a and ruin him. The people sometimes get their salt from free country--this is the fruit of the tariff. Nashville, when they have a convenience of doing so, and 7. In selling by the barrel, the weight of the barrel, it comes much cheaper, after paying land carriage one and the net weight of salt, is sometimes, and most comhundred and thirty miles, than White's salt; but no per-monly, placed on the barrel; but the weight of the barson dares to compete with him here; because he can,rel is marked much less than its real weight.

at his will, undersell any person who pays a land carriage They make no deduction for the drying of the sait. of one hundred and thirty miles; and therefore instantly One barrel I particularly weighed out, and it lost twenty break them up. One thing is yet to be told, which will pounds; and i am credibly informed that some have lost convince any man of the sin and oppression of this mo-as much as fifty.

nopolizing system. This same James White will carry his 8. The monopolists here sell for money, or cotton at salt by us down to Ditto's landing, ten miles below Hunts-the cash price, which is the same thing as money. They ville, haul it out to Winchester, Tennessee, which is fifty-do not credit their salt. There is always two prices for five miles of land carriage, and sell it there so much lower cotton here--a cash and discount price. Merchants, in than he will here on the river take it out of his boats, taking in cotton for their accounts, give more for it than that some of the planters, who are able to take their they will in money; and this is called the discount price. wagons and cross a very bad mountain, (part of the Cum- The salt gentlemen sell their salt for cotton, at the cash berland,) haul their salt over from Winchester, which price. The remaining part of the query I know nothing is forty-five miles from this place. Is this not oppressive about.

to the poor? Would not this governmental monopolist 9. The monopolists have fallen here, since they find wring from the distressed orphan, widow, and war-worn that people would go to Nashville for their salt, if they soldier, all their earthly sustenance? And yet the Con-did not. But they know at what price to keep it up; gress of the United States--this boasted land of liberty they know the planters cannot take the trouble to go one and equal laws, countenances such oppressive acts. Why hundred and thirty miles to Nashville, to get a little salt; does Mr. White not sell as low here on the river as at and they knowithat no person dares to compete with them, Winchester, after carrying his salt one hundred and twen- as they could instantly reduce the price of their salt, and ty miles, fifty-five by land, and that, too, the very same thereby ruin their competitor. salt? The answer is obvious. At Winchester there is, some competition; it is not so far from Nashville, where foreign salt may be obtained. And this is why he sells it lower there than at this place. We are here fenced in with almost impassable mountains, at a great distance from any commercial depot, and without the means of shunning the exorbitant exactions of these vampyres, who take the bread from the mouths of our children with the calculating coldness of an Arab; and these acts are legalized by a Congress of freemen. We are glad to hear the stern voice of indignation at this oppression, uttered by some of the patriotic republicans of that body; and we should glory in being among the most persecuted victims, if by that means this most pernicious system of monopoly could be overturned.

Query 3d-We have no foreigit salt here for sale; two years ago some gentlemen brought a few bushels from Nashville, and sold it for one dollar and eighty-seven and a half cents per fifty pounds, underselling the salt gentlemen here at that time. The domestic salt has got lower than it was four years ago. Then it was two dollars and fifty cents, now one dollar and eighty-seven cents to two

dollars.

The freight from New Orleans to Nashville is one cent per pound, as I am informed by a merchant of this place, and from Nashville to this place one and a quarter cents per pound.

4. There is a depot here, and another at Ditto's landing, as I am told, for selling salt. These places are about fiftyfive miles apart by land. The remaining part of the question I do not know any thing about.

10. They certainly must realize great gains, or they would not give nine or twelve thousand dollars annually for one manufactory, to let it lie idle. Why does not Congress lease all the salt works in the United States, and let them lie idle, and then knock the duty off of salt, if they wish to encourage the manufacture of salt, by filling the pockets of the manufacturers? It would be much better for the people. They would be great gainers by purchasing the salt works, and demolishing them, or letting them out at a small rate, and then striking the duty from salt.

The remaining queries, I am in hopes, will find abler persons to answer them than I.

Communication from a meeting of the citizens of Medison county, Alabama, 8th of November, 1830, the subject proposed by Dr. William H. Glasscock, and authenticated by the signatures of Thomas Miller, President, and Charles A. Jones, Secretary.

Answer to 1st. The salt consumed here is almost exclusively obtained from Col. James White's manufactory, of Virginia, and sold by his agents in East Tennessee, a part of North Alabama, and West Tennessee.

To the 21. We can give no definitive answer. 3d. The price of domestic salt is one dollar and twentyfive cents per bushel, by the barrel, or one dollar and seventy-five cents by the single bushel. Foreign salt sells at about the same. The freight of salt, from New Orleans to Huntsville, is about one cent and three-fourths per pound. 4th. Colonel White has salt deposited in different parts of this State, and others, at various distances from each other, say ten to fifteen miles.

5. Colonel White, as I have been informed by good authority, leased the Preston salt works, in what is called 5th. Preston's works were for some time discontinued New Virginia, for nine or twelve thousand dollars annu-for--say ten thousand dollars per annum.

M

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6th. Universally sold by weight, allowing fifty pounds to the bushel; the measured bushel will weigh from seventy to eighty pounds.

[SENATE.

tity of salt, per head, to each kind of stock, will depend on the food with which they are supplied. If with grain, less; if with herbs, more salt. I am sure, if the price of 7th. When the salt is weighed out of the barrel, it sel- salt be reduced, the farmers in this section of the country dom holds out, and frequently loses from five to twenty would give their stock a better supply, and that their impounds. We may add, that, however honestly it may provement would be in proportion to the increased quanhave been put up at the works, it is generally brought tity given. To err, by an excess, is not to be appredown in open boats, subject to the winter rains, which damage it more or less; and we know of but one of his agents who sells it any other way than by the marked weight.

8th. Salt is sold for nothing else but ready money. 9th. Salt is sold, high or low, according to competition. The Kenhawa ground alum and Liverpool are brought in but sparingly, which is the only competition.

10th. We believe that White realizes great gains. We are sustained in this opinion, from his carrying it by land twenty-five or thirty miles farther, where he meets with competition, and selling it for less than he does here. 11th. Wholly unfit.

hended.

To the fifteenth query I will remark, that the use of salt, in the preservation of hay, is well expended. And if new mowed hay, or clover, or other grasses, be packed, a layer of hay, and a layer of straw, either wheat, oats, or rye, and a good supply of salt to each layer be added, you make the best of food for horses and cattle.

I approve, very highly, your intention to repeal, if you can, the salt tax, totally and promptly. In this, and all efforts of your useful life, I wish you success. Communication from General William Hall, of Sumner county, Tennessee, dated December 8, 1830.

12th. It will not be received for either. 13th. We can give no correct answer. 14th. It is indispensable for stock of all kinds. It is thought they require more in the Western States than maritime States, owing, probably, to the absence of the sea breeze, and vapor impregnated with salt coming from the sea, and alighting on the vegetable matter. Stock of all kinds should be salted twice a week; but, owing to the high 1. The salt made at the Kenhawa works, from whence price of salt, the stock are probably not salted more than a large portion of the supply for this State, Ohio, Kenonce in two weeks, on an average. From the best ac- tucky, Indiana, and Illinois, is obtained, is monopolized. counts, three thousand barrels of salt are consumed an- 2. The monopolists have depots and agents in the difnually in Madison county, averaging about six bushels (of ferent States, supplied by them, who are required to acfifty pounds) to the barrel. The population being about count quarterly for sales, which are made for cash, and at twenty-seven thousand, gives us an average of thirty-three prices fixed by the monopolists. pounds and one-third to each person. Were those heavy duties taken off, the consumption would be much greater. 15th. Salt is thought to be useful in preserving hay, fodder, and clover; each will keep well if sprinkled over with it, though not thoroughly cured when put up. Moreover, our pork is often spoiled from the want of a sufficiency of salt to pack it up in, which we cannot obtain on account of the high price. Thousands, and tens of thousands of pounds are often lost from that circumstance along. Alum salt would be an immense saving to North Alabama, in that one particular.

I received your "queries on the state of the salt trade in the Western States," in due time; and have delayed answering them, only that I might obtain all the information within my reach necessary to a correct reply. The queries will be answered in the order in which they are proposed, Nos. 1, 2, &c., answering to the corresponding numbers in the queries.

Resolved, therefore, unanimously, That the delegation from this State, as well as those of our sister States, have our unfeigned thanks for their exertions and co-operation the last session of Congress, with Mr. Benton, in endeavoring to repeal the duty on salt; and that we request our delegation to use their utmost to effect the repeal of a tax so burdensome to us, and of no ultimate advantage to any State.

Communication from Colonel F. W. Burton, formerly of North Carolina, now of Murfreesborough, Tennessee, dated December 8, 1830.

Your favor of July last, propounding fifteen queries on the state of the salt trade in the Western States, was received in due time. To the thirteen first of these queries, I am sure that the commercial gentlemen of the country can render a much more correct and satisfactory answer than I can.

3. The prices of domestic and foreign salt vary from seventy to one hundred cents per bushel of fifty pounds. Freight from New Orleans may be had at fifty cents per hundred pounds.

4. Answered in No. 2.

5. I have not been able to obtain any satisfactory information as to this query.

6. Salt is sold in this State, and throughout the Western country, by weight. The measured bushel weighs from twenty to twenty-five pounds more than the weighed

bushel.

7. An allowance is made for the weight of the barrel, though none for the loss of salt in drying.

since the monopoly.
8. Is answered, in part, previously. The price is higher

9. The price of salt is regulated by the quantity in market. The quantity of foreign, or other domestic salt, brought to this market, is inconsiderable.

10. The monopolists realize great gains.

domestic salt brought to this market, I am informed that 11. Although Kenhawa salt is very superior to any other nearly all the beef and pork from the Western country is repacked in foreign salt, either for shipment, or for the army or navy.

12. See No. 11.

13. I am not informed as to the price of repacking beef or pork which has been put up in domestic salt.

14. The necessity and advantage of giving salt to stock of every kind is universally admitted. It is indispensable To the fourteenth I will observe, that salt is indispen- in the Western States, and ought to be given to all kinds sably necessary to the good condition of horses, horned of stock about once a week, and to each head of horses cattle, sheep, and hogs, in the Western States. It is bene- or cattle from two to four ounces at a time, and less than ficial in the maritime States likewise, and the more so as half that quantity to sheep or hogs, though farmers in this you recede from the seaboard. The watery constituent section are prevented from giving their stock the necesparts of the atmosphere on the seaboard take with them sary quantum of salt, owing to the high price of the article. salt, which is inhaled by these animals, and thereby they 15. The use and advantage of salt in preserving of hay, are supplied with that salt which is necessary for the health-fodder, and clover, is admitted by all practical farmers, ful condition of all animals, both granivorous and herbu- although but few avail themselves of the advantage, in conlent, and to some of those that are carnivorous. The quan-sequence of the scarcity and high price of salt.

VOL. VII.-9

SENATE.]

Duty on Alum Salt.

[FEB. 8, 1831.

Communication from Lieutenant Governor Breathitt, of Ken- manufacturers furnish exclusively the supply of that article

tucky, dated Russellville, Nov. 16, 1830.

My information will not enable me to answer your favor on the state of the salt trade in detail.

for the valley of the Wabash; and that none is permitted to be vended by others, so far as can be prevented by them; and that those agents are regulated by fixed prices, under From the general opinion on the subject, there is no which they may not sell, but can raise the price in propordoubt there was, during the last year, an extensive salt tion to the demand. It is also believed that a scarcity of monopoly supplied from the Kenhawa works. Depots salt is frequently occasioned by the inadequacy of the mawere had principally on the watercourses for salt, where nufactories to produce sufficient supplies, or that those it was vended by their agents, sometimes on a credit of monopolists hoard it up for the purpose of extorting exorfour or six months. Whether it continues the present bitant prices; neither of which causes would operate to season, I am not advised. Those depots extended to Ten- produce the scarcity and high price so oppressive to the nessee. Sales were made for money. There is but little West, was the salt trade left open to the natural course of foreign salt brought into this neighborhood: I cannot, competition.

therefore, state the difference in price. This neighbor.

The monopoly of the salt trade is notorious, and is one hood is supplied from the Illinois saline, and the Kenhawa of the greatest grievances to be complained of in the West; It is and it is believed that the unrestricted importation of alum salt from the latter is preferred to preserve meat. not so white and clean as that from the saline. It is usually salt is, perhaps, the only method which can be adopted sold by weight-50 lbs. to the bushel, when sold by the effectually to break it down, unless Congress should think barrel. The tare of the barrel is taken off, and the salt is proper to declare it a criminal offence to attempt a monogenerally weighed at the time of sale. It is, however, poly of any article of necessary consumption, as the British sometimes otherwise. About this time last year, the com- Parliament has done, and render such offence punishable mon price, at this place, was one dollar per bushel; now, by fine and imprisonment, which even would not be so it may be purchased at seventy-five cents. There is no effectual. It will not be disputed but that a supply of alum salt is doubt that salt is indispensable for the use of stock, and particularly in this country. Much stock has been raised necessary in the West, even if the domestic salt was obupon the grazing the forest affords, and if they are fur- tainable unembarrassed by monopoly, from its superior nished plentifully with salt, they are fat. Hence the ne- qualities in the preservation of beef and pork in a southern cessity of its being as cheap as possible, and because, also, market, where we must of necessity send our surplus of of its universal use by all. I was pleased at the reduction those articles. It is believed by stock raisers, that a much of the duties last session on coffee, tea, molasses, and salt. larger quantity of salt is necessary for stock in the WestI should be pleased, however, to see the duties retained on ern than in the Atlantic States, owing, doubtless, to the manufactured articles, so that our own manufactories may enter into competition with foreign ones, and make a reasonable profit. I would not have them to have unreasonable profit: then it would be a tax upon one portion for the benefit of the other. The point to stop at is one of difficulty, and requires great experience and much research.

I should be pleased to hear from you occasionally.

nature of the food on which they are subsisted, and the diseases to which they are subject.

I should have been much gratified to have been able to furnish you information on all the points on which you request it, and should have done it most cheerfully had I been in possession of it. Not doubting, however, but that the method you have taken will elicit it in abundance, I shall, therefore, rest satisfied, anxiously desiring the successful result of your efforts to repeal the salt tax entirely, concurring with you in opinion that it is the best service that can be rendered to the West next to the graduation of the price of public lands: in both of which great West

Communication from General Tipton, of Indiana, dated
Logansport, Indiana, Nov. 24, 1830.

Statement of the Hon. Mr. Lyon, of Kentucky. That, being a member of a mercantile house which received a quantity of salt from the Kenhawa Salt Company, to sell on commission, in the years 1826-7, with instruc-ern measures, you have the concurrence of a vast majority of the West most ardently wishing you success. tions to sell at the original mark or lick weight, finding many of the barrels greatly deficient in weight, varying from 10 to 20 per cent., they reweighed, and sold a quantity at the real weight; that, when the agent of the company came on, he was dissatisfied, and said it was their custom to sell elsewhere at the original mark, and that it must be so sold there, which they refused to do. agency, and the salt on hand, were transferred to other hands; and that he has great reason to believe the necessities of the people, in many instances, compelled them to purchase the deficient barrels at their marked weight.

The

Your printed letter of July last has been duly received, and I have made strict inquiry of merchants, and other gentlemen of intelligence of this vicinity, in relation to the salt monopoly. From facts collected from them, and some within my own knowledge, I have no hesitation in saying that there is, and has been for years, a monopoly of that article, to the great injury of the poorer class of the peo

Also, that, being in company with the Hon. Mr. Benton, ple of Indiana. Deposits for the sale of salt are established along the of the Senate, in ascending the Ohio from Cincinnati, last Ohio and the Wabash rivers, at from thirty to forty miles fall, on board the steamboat Emigrant, said to belong to, from each other, by monopolists from Kenhawa, in Virgiand be in the employ of, the Kenhawa Salt Company, nia, and from Kentucky. One agent of these monopolists which was towing a kecl-boat to Maysville, Kentucky, is at this village; another at Lafayette, forty miles below, loaded with alum or foreign salt, and delivered there for who rise or fall in their prices according to the compet the purpose of salting pork in that part of Kentucky. Feb. 1830.

Communication from General Milroy, of Delphi, Indiana,

dated Nov. 25, 1830.

tion they meet, and, by this means, oppress the poor, and amass wealth to themselves to a very large amount per

annum.

The salt manufactured at the wells at Kenhawa, and in Kentucky, will not preserve pork in the Southern climate. I received your letter requesting information relative to In the winter of 1822 I descended the rivers to New Orthe salt trade of this country. My limited acquaintance leans, with a quantity of pork put up with salt made at with mercantile business will enable me to say but little the wells of these monopolists. Soon after my arrival from my own knowledge on the subject. I can say, how-at New Orleans, I was compelled to purchase Turk's ever, that the belief is universal, and uncontradicted in Island salt, and repack my pork; thereby incurring an exthis part of the country, that agents employed by the salt pense of one hundred and fifty dollars.

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