The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-27

The iurt.s ct the committee of cTmcii
Tor trade and ioreiSp plantations, having au
thorised us to maAs C.nblic the following an
swers to certain questions proposed by us to,
their lortiships. we publish them for the in
formation OF all whom they may concern.
TH0S. Barring,
A. GLENNIE,
THOS. MULLETT.
London, 18th August, 1908.
Question. /" His maiesty,s order in coun-r
Gil of the 4th July, 1908, having orce red
that all hosti'iti,.s against Spain on the par,
of his majesty shall Immediately cease. and
that the blockade of all the ports of Spain.
except such as may be still in possession or
under control of France, Shall be forthwith
raised
4" Can an American vessel proceed from
a port III the United States OF America, with
a cargo, the produce of the United States, or
Colonial produce. direct to any port Of Spain
or Portugal, not being in the possession of
the enemies of CIR. 1t Britain, and return
back to port in the United States direct.
with cargo the growth or produce of Spain
or Portugal, without being liable TO capture
and condemnation, under the orders of coun-
Gil Of tic 1lth and 25th of November, 1907.
and the several acts of parliament passed
to carry them into effectl
Answer. "Amcric;,n vessels NAV proceed
from port in the U. $. of America, with a
cargo, the produce of the United States, or
colonial produce, Provided sach hroduce b..
not fhc firodnce Of enemy's colonies, erect
to any port of Spain and Portugal such
port not being in the possession, or under
the control of the enemies of Great Britain.
and return back to port in the United
States direct, with cargo the growth or
produce of Spain and Portugal
ltiere MIR. White explained and said, that
a proclamation had been issued declaring
the ports of Spain and Portugal, nor in nos
session Of France or her oNics, open to the
admission OF American ',essels, with the pro-
duce OF their own count ", or of the colonies
OF 'those two nations; but that they must re-
turn direct to their own countryl Where
the gentleman has got that proc amaton, |
know not. 1never have seen it, nor heard
OF 1t. l am, however, of opinion that the or
ders OF council do still attach to Spain and
Portugal; and that this is only bountiful
relaxation of his Britannia majesty. which
he can Change at pleasure, being authorised
by the act of Parliament 20 repeal or alter.
as he may see fit. 1t is a we'll known fact
that prior TO the orders of council we could
trade with colonial produce to those coun-
tries. These regulations of the lords com
missioners OF trade and plantations, do not
permit such commerce ; of course the or
ders OF council attach, and should Bonaparte
get possession OF any port of Spain, and an
american vessel be bound TO such port, she
would, under the orders of council, be sci
zed and carried into Engiantl-in which
case l do not believe the honorable gentle
man from Massachusetts would insure for
rinety per cent. against condemnation in the
courts of Great Britain.
Pursuing the idea of the gentleman from
NJ, IL.
the board oftrade and plantations, if submit
ted to, will reduce us to state of coloniaa-
tion--l beg leave to observe, that this same
board OF trade regulated our commerce.
when we were colonies. We were then per-
mitted go direct to the ports of Spain and
Portugal with -four, indian corn, and lumber.
and might return direct to America with salt.
but, if we wished to bring wines or fruits
we were compelled to proceed to England.
land them, and then proceed to this country.
What are the regulations noTv made for us
by the lords oftrade? Why, Sir, we are per-
nitted TO proceed to Spain and Portugal.
with the produce OF our country, but we must
return therefrom direct 10 the u States. If
we turn to the right OF left hand, we come m.
der the orders in council, and are good prize.
we are forbid to carry any of the produce
81 these countries TO their colonies, althoueh
'hey permit the trade. And, why, Mr.. Pre-
'identf Because the British thereby secure
hat advantage to their own ships Again
SIR, when colonies, Great Britain compelled |
us to carry our tobacco, indigo and rice to |
England, & there land theSsame, but permit |
ted us to reship those articles, free of any du- |
" to the countrie- where they were consum
I'd. Even in time of war, tobacco was re- |
shipped to France. Now, Great Britain al
ho' We are independent of her power. (per-
laps not OF her inauence) orders all the pro-
luce OF our country to be landed in ENGLAND
md prohibits the re shipment, until we nav
In enormous duty; when at the same time.
he produce of her colonies may be re -shipped
zen 10 her enemies, free Of dufv. Where
S the difference, in principle, between the.
equations, made for us when colonies. and
hose made for us at this time, Does not
treat Britain still assume the same rights n
Ter us, to wit, to regulate our trad. In the
me instance, as well as in the other, We
ire, IN either case, CoRpetely in the situa-
ION OF colonies 1t canDot be nIisunderstond
ne lords OF trade cnphatically saw. what
rade we shall, and what trade we shall NOT
,ursue. Nay, in England have little doubt
nat many people will consider it as exces,
i've ImPudence in us to complain, when pu,
non footing with their own colonies. yicDl
= 'et that we are Independents. trust Mr.
resident that ave ShaUnot also forpet r.
SUIT let us indulge the gentleman, and add
mr. exports to Spain and Portugal what