I'm doing a biography on a few historical figures, and it keeps mentioning duties. I know duties as an obligation to do something, but how is it meant in the following sentence..

In 1816 he (Henry Clay) advocated the Dallas tariff, in which the duties ranged up to 35% on articles of home production, the supply of which could satisfy the home demand; the avowed purpose being to build up certain industries for safety in time of war.

What does this sentence below mean ? Is it talking about Texas favoring freedom of speech or Clay ?

He (Henry Clay) was lukewarm toward recognizing the independence of Texas favoring freedom of speech or Clay ? He (Henry Clay) was lukewarm toward recognizing the independence of Texas, lest it should aid the increase of slave territory, and generally favored the freedom of speech and press as regards the question of slavery....

Question

I'm doing a biography on a few historical figures, and it keeps mentioning duties. I know duties as an obligation to do something, but how is it meant in the following sentence..

In 1816 he (Henry Clay) advocated the Dallas tariff, in which the duties ranged up to 35% on articles of home production, the supply of which could satisfy the home demand; the avowed purpose being to build up certain industries for safety in time of war.

What does this sentence below mean ? Is it talking about Texas favoring freedom of speech or Clay ?

He (Henry Clay) was lukewarm toward recognizing the independence of Texas favoring freedom of speech or Clay ? He (Henry Clay) was lukewarm toward recognizing the independence of Texas, lest it should aid the increase of slave territory, and generally favored the freedom of speech and press as regards the question of slavery....