The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1818-06-30
POLITICAL.
IN SENATE, APRIL 3, 1918.
Mr. KINGS SPEECH Oh the
.NAVIG.4TION act.
(c0neluded from az !ast. J


twill be found, as it has been heretofore, that
new markets viii be discovered, as wen to pur-
chase surplusseS, as to supply our wants,
should those be lost with which we have formerly
had intercourse.
But, why has measure cfthis Importance been
SO long deferred? The explanation which this
question requires cannot be made without some
reerance to the history OF our communications
with England, SINCE the peace OF 1853, as we'll
as to the views and policy of men and parties that
have IN succession influenced cur public affairs.
As according TO the powers Of England, not
withstanding the acknowledged ent, Of our INDIE
pendence, neither trade nor intercourse could be
carried on between the United States and her
domnions it became necessary after the treaty of
peace to pass some act whereby this trade and in
tercourse might be prosecuted-a bill for this
purpose was introduced into the House OF Com
mons by the administration which concluded the
treaty ofpeace with the y. ). The general scope
and provisions ofthe bill correspond with tie ho-
eral principles which were manifested IL the trea-
ty of peace they plainly shew that the authors
Of this bill understood that the true basis of the
trade and intercourse between nations, is recip-
rocity OF benefit a foundation on which alone
the trienIy intercourse between men and nations
can be permanently established. The preamble
Of this bill declares, : that twas highly expedi-
ent that the intercourse between Great Britain
and the United States should be established on
the most enlarged principles ofreciprocal benefit
to both countries, aud as, from the distance be-
tween them, it would be a considerable time be-
fore treaty OF commerce placing their trade
and intercourse Oh pc rmanent foundation, could
be concluded, the bill, for the purpose OF tenn
porary regulation thereof, provided, that Ameri-
can vessels should be admitted into the ports OF
GreatBrtain, AS those OF other independent states,
and that their cargoes should be liable to the
same duties only, as the same merchandise would
be subject to ii the same were the property OF
British subjects, and imported in British vessels
and, further that the vessels of the U. 5. should
be admitted into the English plantations and
colonies in Amer lea, with any GTttctes the growth
or manufacture of the u. 5. and, with Liberty to
export from such colonies and plantations to the
u. S. any merchandise whatsoever, subject to
the same duties only as if the property OF british
subjects, and imported or exported ~ British
vessels allowing also, the same bountes, draw
backs and exemptions, on goods exported from
Great Britain to the l.. States, in American yes
sells, as on the like expectations in British vessels
to the English colonies aud plantations
The persons benefited by the English exclu-
siye system Of trade and navigation, were put IN
motion by this bill, which was earnestly opposed,
and, after variety of discussion, postponed or
rejected About this period, MIR. FrrT9 who had
supported this bill in the House of Commons re-
signed his Office Of Chancellor Of the Lxchequer,
as his colleagues, in Lord SHELBURNE's admin
istration, had before done. he coalition admin
istration that succeeded, introduced new bill,
which became law, vestlng IN the hnS and
Council authority to make sucn temporary reSu-
lations OF the American navigation and trade, as
should be deemed expeolent.
Sundry orders in council were accordingly made
whereby trade and intercourse 10 American ana
English vessels. between the u. States and u.
Britain, were allowed, and, with the exception
of FISH OIL and one or two other articles, the pro-
ducc of the u. :. imported into q. britain, was
admitted freely, or subject to duties payable On
the like articles imported IN English vessels from
the American colonies.
An intercourse, and trade, in enumerated ar
ticles, were also opened between the Y. 3 and
the English West India colonies, but, wlth pro-
vso, (the principle whereof is still maintained a.
gainst us,9 whereby American vessels were ex-
Guided, and the whole trade confined TO English
vessels.
After periodical renewal Of these orders for
several years, the regulations that they contain
ed were adopted by, and became act OF Far
lament. This act was afterwards modified, and
rendered conformable to the provision q SirJAY's
treaty, the commercial articles OF which expired
in the year l6CS--not long after which date Ing
land passed new act OF Parliament concerning
the American navigation and trade. This act
maintains the exclusion Of American vessels from
the intercourse between the II. 8. and the Ing
lish colonies, and confines the same, as former
acts, and orders IN council had done, to English
vessels it repealed the settlement Of duties pGr-
suent to Mir. JAYS treaty and, giving up tie