The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1821-11-20 00:00:00

, NOVEMBER 20; 1821•

description of markets where .rich trade would he refried
ou. Some apprehension indeed has been tested to exist,
diet vessels of that descriptioe inieht be 'spooled to fee- •
quent depardatieus from 'prates also inhat ihube sta.. But
it Ilt;es nut appear that there is any (11.1 Terence in the rate
of insnrauce alnired 'aim large and smell ships: if there
is a risk, however. the private fermim' might safely be left
to consider Le* far it applies to his pat 'irate' ease; while
the Americas trade in those seas, which he es well
in vessels below a. above the burden of 350 tone, is not stated
at any time to have tuffered natierially from such dangers.
It may be remarked, that although the naive goverunteels
of India have been generally 'apprised to he unfavourable
upon system le foreign commerce, uo retreat instanreuf such
disposition has bees adduced ; the French, on the etbeetrary,
are stated to have been remarkahly successful iu some re-
cent attempts to open a commercial istierconrse with Cucbin
Mina; and the recent knowledge which 1124 been acquired
lathe manswors and habits of the inhabtt lute in some of the
Wags& of pie Malay race, leads le a much more favourable
Impieties@ of their character sad aptitude fur civil and com-
mercial intercourse, than was previously eateriaiurd.
The maletenasce of a free port eligibly sniveled amongst
• the Indian islands under British protection, which lb. mega
allude (dour establiohniewar in QM goatee of the globe may
enable ns to support at much left yawns@ then any other
nation, may be attended with the greatest benefit in cum-.
merce snit eivilieation. The importance of such a station,
and the quick pereeptinu of its advantages formed by the
native traders in toot part of the globe, may be estimated by
the rapid rise of the port of Sineapore daring die year that
it has been in the posseesion of the British Government, and
opened fur the purposes of general trade. The population,
which had before scarcely amounted to 200 souls, in three
mouths increased to not less then 3,000, and now exceeds
10,000 its the whole; while 173 sail of vessels, of different
descriptions, arrived awl sailed in the course of the first two
months.

The commerce with China is circled on by the East Witt I
Company. is whom the sole and exclusive right of trading
with the portsof that empire, as well as the sole and ex-
clusive right of trading and fralicking in tea to and from all
the islands and ports between the Cape .of Good Hope and
Straits of 3lagellan, is row vested by law. The valise sod
extent of this trade has nalssrally attracted the attention of
the private merchant ; and although it could not he con-
templated that the East India Company would willingly re.
'impish so important a privilege, an earnest desire has been
expressed that the British free trader might he permitted,
even previous to the expiration of the charter, to embark in
those branches of the trade, which the Company neither
carries on itself, nor appears to be immediately interested
itr ; and in which the only competition to he enconitered
by the British merchant would be that writhe foreign trader.
Of this description may he considered the trade in tea and
other articles between Canton and foreign Europe; the tea
trade within the limits of the Company's charter, esclustve
of the ports of the Chisese empire; and the trade between
Canton and the western shores of North and South America.
The hopes entertained by merchants and others, who have
the best mesas of information, of benefit to commerce from
such an extension of its freedom, as well as the appetite.
sinus, felt by persons of great experience in the directiou of
I the affairs sail in the service of the East itidia Company, of
the risk with which such an extension may be mewled to
their political and commercial interests i will be found folly
staled in the ',ideate and docummits euatsiard in the
Appendix.
On the one band it is confidently stated, that the low rate
of British freight, asid other advantages possessed by the
British merchantmen, would enable the British free trader
to ester into ass immediate and oaccessfel competition with
those of other cooutries, and more particularly of Ills
United Stoma, H whom these branches of commerce have
been carried on for some years past, with
of progressive increase and prosperity; that thus a portion
of Europe might be supplied with tea by the British trader;
that the export of furs from America, which aow lake, place,
even from the British territories in American vessels, would
be carried on by British shipping; and that, at all (twenty,
that portion of the Eastern trod., which is carried on by the
export of British manufactures in American entitle, wonlil
fall into the hands of the British merchant, with greater op-
portunities of extending it, afforded by • more direct inter-
course. And, on the other baud, it is stated to afford rea-
sonable ground fur alarm, that the seamen, who would be
admitted under such circutusionces to the port of Canton,
might probably he of a character so different from that of the
seamen employed ou board the vessels of the United States,
and be subject to a discipline so inferior to that which pre.
rails on bo•rt' of the larger description of vessels empleyed
in the service of the East India Company, that dispute.;
might take place and excesses be occasioned which might
produce fatal consequences, by awakening the jealcossy or
exciting the anger of the Chinese Government.
It is also apprehended that the admission of sew compe-
titors info the market might lead to some ibteriorotion in
quality, or enbsneement in the prices of teas, which air now
regulated by arrangements made previously to their economic
into the market, between the servants of the Company and
the Hong merchants, who enjoy • monopoly of the sale of
that article.

To what extent such hopes or such apprebeesion, might
be realized in the progress of a trade which has Inver yet
been pu•rmitted to exist, it is difficult perhaps to form su ac.
curate judgment. The most unieral, and indeed the only
means of firming one, most be derived from the circumstances
and progress of the foreign independent trade, and more
especially that of the vessels of the Culled Slates with the
port of Canton. Thal !fade, although carried on in vessels
of ■eprly the eame description that would probably be em-
ployed hg the British merchants, has runlinned to flourish
without being productive of injurious consequences, either
to Iraile in general, or that of the Ent India Company in
p irtirular. It is stated, that it would not have dune
so, had it not berm the protection end other advautsges
derived front the establishment of the Company's fac-
tory al Canton ; but Ito salisfsetory reason has been ainisiga-
ed why the British free trader should nut derive the same be-
nefit front its countenance and protection, to which he cc,.

saltily would not be lees eatitldd. It must also be oliterred,
that t►e circumstance which has priaerpally liven relied spun
as constituline the difference between the character of the
American and British OtalPfel, narriel,, the former haviag
slime is the profits of the voyage, applies only to that pun-
huh (not a large true) of their trade with Canton which is
employed in the export of furs from North Asnerics, and
might be I specter' to apply in the sante degree, as far as
respects that portion of track, to British vessel., if permitted
to enrage it it. It is admitted idea, that all danger ari■ing
from dispute* is greatly diminished, if mil entirely removed,
by the •bolitiosi of the custom which permistril seamen to go
at particular periods, in large bodies, and amity nu control,
to enjoy liberty date MI shore at Canton.
111 the COMAr of the last few years, the imports of the
Usised Slates Tutu Chitin (compering sti a►enge of the years
1594-5. 1805-6, 1806-7, wish an serrate of 18155.17, 1817.18,
18154-19, heiug the last years of which the Committee have
received au account), appear uraily to have doubled. It is
alleged, that the p►ioc+pal past of these imports consists
of isolate mod other articles which the merchants in the
United States have a greater facility in procuriag than
those of other countoies ; there eau be no doubt, how-
ever, that articles of British manufacture are directly ex-
ported to (linos hum Ibis try by Americana; and
it appears (tom ma ace t wrier/wed al the Cuiturn
House, that the declared valor of those ■rticles exported to
couutries within the limits of the F.-Rat India Company's
rlerrter, it Auriga reorels, mid plummet' to be chiefly to
Calolllll, VIP, in the hail year. to amount of 1711,3.58/.;
aril it affords souse lad's-Mimi of an Increnaillll taste for
itch maurfactures in Cbsect, that ■u opinion prevails that
tb, y are now iiiteoduc,..l 'ay the northern pails of that ens•
pia e, subject lo all the dr Is) and incutiveniente of transport

by land throne' Komi' and the n had►,
Kilian' and iis immediate mithhouilrouti tr the peat de-
pot, still whirl, appirirs recently to have experienced a run-
utterable increare.

What portion of the teas an I other art id.* exported front
chime, in vessels of the United States, to iltatieed for Alge-
ria,: and what fur European eueseniption, it is difficult peel
eiaely to determine. Although iJoribis have been expressed,
whetter the demaitil arising from the latter constitutes a per-
manent or a considerable portion of their trade, it may fairly
be assumed that a memory opinion prevails in AlSef.C+l; at
it M stated, in the report upon American enrieney,lsid fi'iet
the Howse of 11epterentatives in 1819, "that the • t ex
Paris in American vemels from the finite.' Mates and all
other post., to China owl the Earl hiders, elm timidly be biti-
Mated at mare their twelve millions of dollars, and it cannot
be doubted that the sales of East ludi. artistic in Europe
exceed that aliment. The value of earrellisndise from Cl.llllll
aad India coiesenard annually in the Culled Shales, Is
lookble renal to 5,009.00 d dulloa ; nod if this be so,
the consumption of East India as Metes by the United States
is paid Tw by the mere profit of the trade."
• (ha the e)eoh. the Committee are Metier(' to the °Oaken,
that regulations might be established at Canton, Aber by
plating she free Senile of Caplos• ender the seperelteordance
or a Camel, or iimertieg the principal sesvants of Ike Cain-
parry with some authority over the seamen engaged in the
free trade, by which any apprebesision of isieunvenieoce might
be removed; and without interfering with the monopoly of the
British market enjoyed by the East India Company, the
British merchaut might he safely admitted to a pea ticipitiou
in a trade which has proved safe, lucrative, nod capable of
great improvement In the hands of the foreign
In the event of these obstacles. however, being considered
insurmountable, the maintenance of the establishment at
&sceptre, to which vessels fro cpsently ramie down from China
Is five days, or of any other free port as advantageously
situated, might, considering the readiness of the Chinese to
engage actively by every means, direct and iudirect, in trade,
prove highly advantageous to the interests of British rum-
oreree' if permitted to engage in the tea trade within the limits
of the East India Company's charter, exclusive of the ports
of the Chinese empire.
The Committee cannot conceal from themselves, that in
the present state of the law, no mat, rash bent tit or facility to
free trade in this quarter of the globe can be obtained, with-
out infringing in a greeter or less degree upon the pi Milegi •
vested in the East India Company, until the year 1834, when
their presuint charter expires, and that their consent may be
required ;11 any measures which rimy be oubinitted for that
purpose to the considelation of Parliament. At the same
time, considering that no prepositions here suggested are
intended directly or indirectly to affect the monopoly en-
joyed by the Company of the home am het, to which the
greatest importance is jestly attached, but that their object
is confined to procuring for the British free trader an access
to markets entirely new, or the means of fair competition
with the foreign merchant is those which already exist, the
Committee fret themselves justified in relying upon the fibs.-
eslity lathe Court of Directors, upon the creamer's they have
frequently evinced to the national prosperity, and the pre-
femme they may be expected to give to British over foreign
commerce, fur a disposition to meet, as far as may be con-
sistent with their own essential iutercsis, the wishes of their
fellow.sohjects, if saactioned by the wisdom and authority
of Parliament.

At all events there are some views of this subject to which
the attention of Parliament may be immediately directed ;
and the whole cannot fail I. deserve its consideratioa pre-
•ions to the reetwal of the East India Company's charter.
The Committee hare been infurined try the mealtime of his
Majesty's Government, who are 1111.Mbefll of the Committee,
hat LLB. was prepared to be submitted 111 Parliament is
the course of the last Session, for extending the private trade
between ladia and fureiga Europe; and that the iniroduc-
lion of Bach a Bill has only been postponed a coasegeeace
of the inquiries depending in Parliament connected with
Asiatic commerce.
The currespoodesice which his taken place upon this
subject, believes the Board of Trade and Board of Coatrol,
is contained in the Appendix.

-

NAMES OF WITNESSES.
EXAMINID IN sEssuom 1529.

James Goddard, Esq.; John CraufurA, Esq.; Robert
Morris, Esq. ; Alexaushr Robertson, Esq. M.P. ; John
Forbes Mitettrll, Esq.; George Lyall, Esq.; C►arle. Eve-
rett, Esq.; Captain James Robert Oliver; Itubert Rickards,
Eaq ; Edward Ellice, E.q. bI.P.; George Abercrombie Ru-
binson, Esq., C►ainoso of the Court or Directors of the East
Ilona Company ; llsomas Reid, E•q., Deputy Chairman
ditto; Marl... Greet, F..q.; Daniel Beale, Esq.; Sir George
Thomas Staunton, Bail., M.P.; Captain James Hursburgb;
Robert Stapler, Foq.; John Robert Piney, Emit ;
Simuos, Esq ; Francis Hastings Toone, Esq.

EXAMINED IN SESSION 1821.

Charles Grass, E,q.; John Gladstone, Esq. M.P.; Wil-
liam Fairlie, Esq.; John Cloonouploer %Vaporing, Evil.; Jamas
Drama di, Foq M.P.; Sir Thegmbolos Metcalfe, But.;
James Thomas itobarts, Esq.

FOREIGN TRADE OF THE COUNTRY.

[Browyit Poo the House of Lords, June 26, 1821, and
ordered to be printed by the House of Commons j

SECOND REPORT
(Relative to Ike Silk 111141 Wine Trade.)
By 16e Lords' Couemitties appoinettl a Sv!eel Cornwiillee
to inquire islo the weans of eitiessaliosK and seruring
Ike Foreign Trade of the Country, awl to report to slit
House.
ORDIMCD TO RETORT,

That since their Report upon the Commerce of Great Bri-
tain with Chins and the Cast !tidiest, the attention of the
Committee has been principally direiti•al tu the manufacture
of Silk in this country, as one which has, more than any oilier
branch of maninieree, existed under the iufluetice of prohibi-
tions, duties, relsirictiung, and drawbacks.
It appears certain that, without some artificial support,
this inauufatture could nut in former times have bees. in-
troduced sir maintained with any success ill Ibis country
1111/1 as lung as our principal supply was derived from a part
of F.iirope so much nearer to Fiance as Italy, all compefi-
tiuw in own favourite branch of manufacture with the
former country, which produces at the 1,4.11 e time so large a
propurtiou of the Raw Silk which it consume:, must have
appeared entirely hopeless; but now that the mopply from
our own possessions is. the East lodien is annually imploring
in quality, and its quantity appears to he increasing ID nu
almost unlimited extent, it may not be noreasonahle to ex-
pect that the skill of one artisaiir, the influence of our calm-
. tal, and the perfection of our snarl al, should be am sue:
cesafully applitrl tit this as to other branches of manufacture
in which we can wilts facility commaiol a cheap and certain
toopply of the raw material. In fart, notwithstanding the
heavy duty on the raw 'material, which has always attached
more to "Ina than to airy other mauufactory of the same im-
portance, it has already been so far extruded, and has ac-
paired so moth consistency and value from the new situa-
tion in whirl" this change of circumstance has placed it, that
the Committee consider its interests as peculiarly deserving
the attention of the Legislature.
Fur a long period the preparation of silk in Bengal was
of the rudest kind, applicable here only to inferior purposes.
and is. price bearing a pioportion to that of Silk of
I about from one-third to one half. Towards the year 1770,
the Italian mode of preparing Silk was first ititiodured iu
that pot of the world; but the improvement was nut for

• ttell,retl, by the House of Common*, to be prilittd,
May 7i 1,21.