Documents Relating To Blankets For The Indian Trade. January 26, 1837. Laid On The Table By Mr. Benton, And Ordered To Be Printed. Letters From John J. Astor To Honorable Mr. Benton

JOHN J. ASTOR

Publication: Gales & Seaton, 1837, Washington

First edition. 24th Congress, 2d Session. [106]. Disbound. 5pp. 2 tables. Copies of letters from John Jacob Astor relative to supply of blankets for the Indian trade. "It is known that none of the woollen goods fit for the Indian trade, such as Indian blankets, strouds, and cloths of particular descriptions, are as yet manufactured in this country; we are, therefore, obliged to import them from England, and it so happens, these are the articles paying the heaviest duty. The English traders have theirs free of duty, which enables them to bring their goods 60 per cent, and more cheaper than we pay, and they are thereby enabled to undersell us. Their furs and skins cost them little more than half as much as we have to pay for ours. But this is not all, they are by these means enabled to send their furs here, and actually do come and undersell the American traders. It is unaccountable that they should be permitted to bring their furs free of duty, and we, if we send any to British dominions, are obliged to pay 15 per cent. duty ... To this is owing, in a great measure, that so many companies of Indian traders have been ruined, and I very much fear that, unless a duty is imposed on foreign furs, the American Fur Company, the only respectable one of any capital now existing in this country, will be obliged to suspend their operations... I think, sir, a duty of 15 or 20 per cent. On all furs ought to be laid......" The Congress did, in fact, take Astor's concerns under advisement. Document concludes with a bill to reduce the duties on Indian blankets and certain other Indian goods. Crease to upper corner and with light soiling. Very good.

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