The Sun.
London, England, 1825-03-28 00:00:00

ENEW TIM ES.I

It will have struck Our Readers with Rime.,
thing like.-a•sensation of merriment, that after the
luminous an►l liberal speech of Mr. Iluskisson,
when the whole House went along with him on
the general principle of a reduction of the Import
Duties, Member after. Member argued. for a
special exemption of .the particular commodity

iu which his own constituents were interestO.
One Gentleman thought it was all admirable
except the part that touched .upon .copper ;
another, that glass bottles required a special

protection: a third wished to say a word or
two in favour of woollen. The only exception
was Mr. Alderznan Thompson ; who, though
he is one of- the largest Iron Manufacturers
in the kingdom, very candidly and honourably

ieclared himself satisfied with the reduction of

the duty on foreign iron from 61. 10s. to 1/. 10s.
The worthy Alderman admitted that this must
considerably reduce the price of British iron ;
but still he thought it would leave tha. British
Manufacturer a remunerating price. Ile had on
several former occasions declared his approval of
the liberal policy of Ministers ; and he felt that
it would be inconsistent were he only to oppose
them in the single measure which went to reduci
his own profits. We recommend tl►is example
to the Gentlemen• who are concerned in other
branches of our internal produce and rua►►ufac-
tures: and perhaps even the agricultural interest
will think it not unbecoming to adopt a.similar
line of conduct.

[THE TIMES.] •
A Copy of the Commercial Laws and Rego.

ations of Colombia, as they existed at the (od.
_ _

of last November, has been published. The
Tariff authorized by the above Republic deserves
to be us well considered here, as it seems to
have been by the authorities which framed it ;
and comes opportunely to greet and to corrolio-
rato the improved system of English commercial

policy which Mr. Huskisson so ably recommended
in his speech of last Friday. One happiness

possessed by an infant republic over a des-
potism far advanced in Soars, is its release
from inveterate prejudice, as well as from inor-
dinate power. Every old Court, whether kingly
or imperial, if of the genuine arbitrary breci, is
equal to a Court of Chancery for its hatred of
change, and its romantic fondness for precedent,
no matter of what complexion. The sole point
of honour with legitimate authorities is an ad-
herencii to practices which have 'prevailed al-
ready ; and the more ancient the practice, there,
fore, in nine cases out of ten the more absurd, the
greater is the tenacity, and the more incurable Abe
obstinacy, with which a Government of the stanch

pti

old blood follows up and enforces it against all at-
tempts at reason. Of this unwillingness to
or.to hear any thing new, perhaps there.cannok,
adduced an example much more striking than th:zt
of Spain through the whole system of her colonial.
policy. England, we admit, has been bad.enough
in her code.of prohibitions, both at home and for
the colonies, and more discreditably wrong than
Spain, because she was a more enlightened state,
and sinned against better knowledge ; but our
present business is with the. revolution efteCted in
the commerce and finance of Spanish Ainerica by
the escape of that
,fine continent from a despotic

yoke. The sum of the policy pursued by Spain
towards America, wasHlirst, to prevent the:Ame-
ricans from supplying their wants,except from Spa-

nish industry;and seCondly,to extinguish in the mo-
ther country the industry from which those wants
were to be supplied. The policy of the free
Republic of Colombia is an exact reverse of that
under which she had hitherto suffered : she in-
vites all mankind to minister to her consumption,

and she offers them, on easy terms., the means of
payment for their goods. The staple manufac-
tare of England, cotton cloths, are admitted to
Colombia in Colombian vessels at an, ad Va•
loran duty of 10 per cent.; in British vessels,
of 171 per cent. Silks at 15 and VII respec-
tively, with an enlarged and liberal view to that
which constitutes th moral force of nations.
The acquisition of knowledge is facilitated by a,
free admission from foreign countries of books in
every language. Maps—pictures—philosophical
instruments—statues—medals, &c., are likewise
admitted freely. Implements of agriculture,
and all machines for preparing and working the
productions, of the soil, as well as those ler the
extraction and preparation of metals,:are placed
upon the same salutary footing. In some re-
spects, the Colombian.government follows the
old course prescribed by prejutlice or fashion._
Native productions ' are -fenced- round with
prohibiory duties-.—such as coffee, indigo,

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