HENRY CLAY ON PROTECTION TO


AMERICAN LABOR.
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AMEhlOANr LADOh'


Messrs. Albro, Hoyt & Co., of Elizabeth
town, manufacturers of oil cloth. took meas
ures-and obtained, without the knowledge
of Mr.. Clay, the precise dimensions OF the
Hall of the Ashland house, selected one oil
the floor cloths, finished and fashioned il eX-
aclly to fit, and then despatched 1t 10 IFS des-
tinaton, accompanied by brief letter IN
which they ask Mr.. Clay's acceptance OF
that specimen OF American manufactures,
in token Of their sense Of his "many and
great public services" aud of gratitude Tor
his powerful advocacy of the interests oi
American labor"


The oil cloth reached its destination safe
ly, and its reception is thus acknowledged
by Mr. Clay;


Ashland, 10th Sept. l846.


GEYTLEMEN,-I received your favor OF the
10th uit., several weeks ago, and have WITHIN
few days past, safely received the piece oil
Floor Oil Cloth, TO which it refers, which you
have kindly presented to me, 10 cover the floor
of my hall. 1t came in perfect order, having
been put up with remarkable care. 1t now oc-
cupies the place for which it was designed,
and is greatly admired for the sulidity of The
fabric, and the taste and beauty OF the brilliant
eolOrs which adcrn it. 1t would successfully
compare with any piece OF floor oil cloth, man
ufactured In iorergn countries or at home, that
have ever seen. beg yOnr acceptance OF my
cordial thanks and grateful acknowledgements
for il.


You have done me the favor to present me
this valuable article, you are pleased TO
state, for my 'many valuable and great servi-
ces," and token OF your gratitude for my
powerful advocacy OF the the interests of
American industry.'


am happy, gentlemen, thus 10 have secured
your appreciation. In looking back, from my
retirement, upon my public career, there is no
part OF my public exertions which / contem-
plate with more satisfaction than the support
which, throughout the whole OF II, constant
ly, zealousy and faithfully gave TO the industry
of my own country. Its prosperity or adversi>
ty has been as infallibly marked, by the ade-
quacy or inadequacy OF protection, as the ther-
mometer indicates heat or cold. believe that
the system OF protection. Notwithstanding the
opposition which il has often encountered. has
pushed the nation forward half a century in ad-
vance of VIII ere it would have been, it the doc
Irinss OF free trade had always prevailed in our
public councils. Whether it will be pushed
back again, to the same or any other extent, by
| The Tariff recently established, which has
sought 10 subvert the previous system, and TO
embody those doctrines, remains TO be seem.
confess that | seriously upprehend great INJURY
| to the general business OF the country. and ui-
! timately to the revenue of the Government. Ii
there sha Il not be large addition TO the amount
of our foreign imporiatiOns, the Treasury must
| experience a large DEFICIT. Ii there should be
an addition sufficient TO compensate the Eeduc-
| ton of duties, the increase must be paid for by
an equivalent increase in the value of our ex.
ports, or the balance must be adjusted in specie.
| | have rot the Temotest expectation that We
| shall be able TO effect payment, by additional
expectation OF The products OF the county,
We in the West. do not believe that the relaxa-
ton in the British system of restriction, is going
to create any considerable demand tor the sur
plus OF our agricultural produce. We shall,
tear be constrained to resort to the other alter
native, in the event Of excess of importa-
tons, and pay for them in the precious metals.
| need not dwell on the commercial disorder,
the embarrassment in every department OF bU-
siness, and the wide spread ruin which would
be occasioned by constant exploration OF spe-
Gle in large amounts. We have had experience
enough OF these fatal consequences, whenever
Protection OF our own industry has been made
quate.


| In all these views, may be entirely mista-
ken. Ii may turn out that our importatlons
will continue 10 flourish aud increase; that the
country wi II continue tn prosper, and !hat the
revenue Of the government will be ample
| Anxious for the welfare and prosperity of the
nation, | shall be most happy TO find these re-
suits realized, and that have enormously en-
tertained The opln ION to which have SO long
| sincerely adhered.


/ In every contingency, gentlemen, pray your
| acceptance of my best wishes for the success
l of your beautiful manufacture, and Tor youl
health, happiness and prosperity.


i | am, with great respect, your friend and
i obedent servant, Il. CLAY.
/ Messrs, Albro, Hoyt 4 Co.