"Tinkering the Tariff": Uncovering Tariff Debates in Historical Newspapers, Imprints, and Government Documents

Posted on 03/24/2025

Tariff: "a tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports" per Oxford Languages. It seems simple on the surface. It has never been.

A simple search using Readex AllSearch and limited to "tariff" in the Citation field, yields 12,340 results*. Where to begin?

A sepia-toned print of John Trumbull’s portrait of Alexander Hamilton, depicting him standing confidently with one hand on his hip and the other resting on a table with documents and books. He wears a dark coat with a high collar and a cravat, gazing forward with a determined expression. The background features draped fabric and a classical-style table, emphasizing his statesmanlike presence. — Alexander Hamilton. Creator: Trumbull, John, 1756-1843, artist. Date Created/Published: c1915. Library of Congress

Hamilton! Not long ago, the name Alexander Hamilton seemed as ubiquitous as the word tariff is today. He established the modern monetary system as the first Secretary of the Treasury. His "Report on Manufactures" was submitted to Congress in 1791. The relatively limited tariffs he proposed were designed to encourage domestic manufacturers. The tariffs became law in 1792.

The legislation aligned with Hamilton's policy of avoiding restrictive tariffs but generating revenue through an import tax to pay the looming public debt from the Revolution.

He wanted to encourage domestic production, not protect it.

The policy was not broadly popular. It is unlikely that any tariff has ever satisfied everybody.

Our purpose is to encourage the curious to explore the pervasive and important tariff policies throughout U.S. history—beginning with Readex!

The second bill President Washington signed was the Tariff of 1789 which imposed a 5% tariff on almost all imports. Thus began the long and complex use of tariffs to accomplish specific political ends.

A historical document titled *"Operations of the Act Laying Duties on Imports,"* dated April 23, 1790, from the U.S. Treasury Department. The text discusses the enforcement of duties on imported goods, the timing of customs house organization, and legal considerations regarding unpaid duties. The document is formatted in a formal, structured layout with headings, sections, and legislative language. — United States, Congress, House. *Operations of the act laying duties on imports. Communicated to the House of Representatives*, *April 23, 1790*. 1st Congress, 2nd Session (1790). From: *American State Papers*

Given the vast return of our suggested search above, consider narrowing searches by restricting them to specific Readex products.

When we search "tariff" in the Citation field in American State Papers, 1789-1838, we get 44 results dating from 4/23/1790 to 4/21/1828.
Complement this result by repeating the search in the U.S. Congressional Serial Set, 1817-1994 which will yield 1,784 results.

In the upper left: A screenshot of the American State Papers database search page, which provides historical records from 1789 to 1838. In the lower right, overlapping the corner of the American State Papers screen shot: A screenshot of the U.S. Congressional Serial Set database search page, covering government records from 1817 to 1994.

These digital resources provide the researcher with many tools for further refining the search parameters. While government documents may make for dry reading, they illuminate the issues legislators debated and the laws they enacted.

An advanced search in America's Historical Imprints using "tariff" AND "legislation" in Citation, sorted Oldest to Newest, provides 117 imprints from various sources.

A screenshot of the *America’s Historical Imprints* database search page, which provides access to historical books, pamphlets, and broadsides. The search bar contains the query `"tariff" AND "legislation"`, with a "Go!" button and an advanced search option. Below, a classical painting of a young woman with long, wavy hair resting her head on her hand is partially visible.

The oldest imprint is dated 1691. The first 25 results are all pre-Revolution. The 30th result, dated 1789, bears the title "Duties Payable on goods imported into the United States of America, by an Act of Congress, of 4th July, 1789. Also, Rates of Fees, Coins, and of Tonnage, by the Act for the Collection of said Duties, and by the Act for laying a Tonnage on Vessels." There are myriad details in this document, listing tariffs item by item, although not using the word, on everything from beer to earthenware to playing cards.

A historical document from December 22, 1691, titled *"At a General Court,"* for the Massachusetts Bay Colony in New England. It details duties and taxes imposed on goods and commodities entering the colony, including wine, rum, sugar, molasses, tobacco, and lumber, to fund maritime defense against pirates and enemies. The document features an official seal at the top, with ornate, old-style typography characteristic of early colonial legislation. — From: *Early American Imprints, Series I, Evans, 1639-1800*

It does not end there. In 1804, Congress amended the act of 1789 with "A Bill for Imposing More Specific Duties on the Importation of Certain Articles, and also, for Levying and Collecting Light-Money on Foreign Ships or Vessels."

Specific, indeed.

Section 1: "...the following articles, in addition to those already exempted from duty, shall, and may be imported free from any duty, namely, rags of linen; cotton, woolen, and hempen cloth; bristles of swine, regulus of antimony, unwrought clay, unwrought burr stones, and the bark of the cork tree."

Result #58, dated 1804, provides a deep dive into the collection of tariffs as indicated by its title "A Digest of the Revenue Laws of the United States: wherein are arranged, under distinct heads, the duties of collectors, naval officers, surveyors, masters of vessels, and all other persons connected with the imposts. By L. Addington, attorney at law. To which is annexed an appendix containing the forms and oaths in use at the custom-house."

Just one more: A publication from the Treasury Department dated 1806 titled "Correct List of Duties, Payable by Law on All Goods, Wares, and Merchandize, Imported into the United States of America, in American or Foreign Vessels: Containing also, Bounties, Tonnage, Manifests, Forms of Oaths, Duty of Masters of Vessels, &c. &c."

You can compare the 1804 and 1806 imprints.

A black-and-white scanned image of two historical book covers from 1804 related to U.S. revenue laws and import duties. The left cover is titled *"A Digest of the Revenue Laws of the United States"* by L. Addington, detailing customs regulations and procedures. The right cover is *"A Correct List of Duties, Payable by Law,"* outlining tariffs on imported goods and additional maritime regulations, published in New York by David Longworth. — From: *Early American Imprints, Series II, Shaw-Shoemaker, 1801-1819*

It should be repeated: Do your own research. Select and read what interests you. Use interface tools to refine your searches. Click on "View Details" to verify the source of the article you chose.

Another suggested search: Use America's Historical Newspapers. Search "tariff" AND "legislation" in the Citation field, and sort Oldest to Newest. The 1,522 results span from 8/8/1829 to 1/3/1932.

A screenshot of the *America’s Historical Newspapers* database search page, with the query `"tariff" AND "legislation"` entered in the search bar. The interface features a bold header, a search bar, and a "Go!" button, with options for advanced search. Below, a vintage illustration of a young newsboy holding a newspaper is prominently displayed.

We have selected a few headlines as samples of what will be discovered:

"The Objection and Answer to a Tariff Being Prepared for Legislation by Negotiation," Berkshire County Whig, 8/10/1843

"Instability of Legislation the Tariff of 1842," Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/25/1846

"Infamous Legislation of Congress – The Tariff Bill – The President's Veto Demanded," Memphis Daily Avalanche, 7/8/1866

"Mischievous Tariff Legislation," Times, Troy NY, 5/14/1870

"Tinkering the Tariff. A Vigorous Protest from the Workingmen Against Free-Trade Legislation," Daily Inter Ocean, Chicago, 2/20/1878

"Tariff Legislation. The Practical Working of the Present Tariff Laws. A Valuable Paper on the Subject," Cincinnati Daily Gazette, 8/18/1882

"Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. The Mills Tariff Bill a Queer Piece of Legislation," Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, 3/21/1888

A scanned image of three historical newspaper articles discussing tariff legislation in the United States from 1866, 1870, and 1878. The articles, from the *Memphis Daily Avalanche*, *Times (Troy, NY)*, and *Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago)*, debate the effects of tariffs on industries, revenue, and the economy, with varying perspectives on protectionism and free trade. The text is dense and formatted in narrow columns, characteristic of 19th-century newspapers. — From: *Early American Newspapers, 1690-1922*

On the results page, you will observe that the dates of articles seem to be clustered. This reflects the degree to which the issue rose and fell in the public's concern. Currently, that concern is breaking news. There are many references to former president William McKinley who had been a prominent proponent of using tariffs long before he was elected in 1896. Perhaps using his name in different searches can illuminate how his policies are understood today.

The consequences of tariff legislation [or executive order] can be far-reaching as they affect consumer prices and local economies. Reporting, facts, and editorials derived from credible sources are vital to forming informed opinions.

We return to our mantra: Do your own research but begin with Readex!

For a deeper dive into 19th century tariffs revisit the October 2018 Readex Report article "Antebellum America’s Galvanizing Issue: The Tariff," by William Bolt, Associate Professor of History, Francis Marion University.

Learn more about the acclaimed, sustained Readex collections mentioned in this blog:

*The number of results included throughout this article are illustrative only and will vary from library to library. The number of results is based on the databases an institution owns or subscribes to and the exact search parameters. Your results may differ from the examples in this article.