Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-02-19
REPORT ON COLONIAL TRADE.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Fsbruaryo.
Report of the committee 70 whom was
referred that part of tue presidents
message which relates to the cOnmer-
cha! intercourse Of the United States
with the British West India islands
and North American cOloaies, and a.
so on the petition Of sundIy Inhabitants
of different parts OF the District OF
Maine, on the same subject.
The committee to whom was referred
that par: Of the presidents message
which relates to the commercial 10 err.
course of the L nited States with the Rri.
fish West India islands aud North Ame-
rican colonies; and also the petition OF
the inhabitants OF different parts Of the
District of Maine, On the same subject.
report: That, by the statement marked
A, annexed 10 this report, it appears that
The average amount Of duties upjE mer-
chandise, annually imported into the u
ni,ed States from the British West India
islands and North American colonial
pos sessions, from 1902 to 1876. excluding
the period from the commencement Of
the restrictive syst m 10 the terminstiOr
of the late war, exceeds two millions OF
dollars. The value of this merchandise
upon which these duties accrued, is sup
posed to be equal to seven million. Of
dollars per annum: The statement h
shows that the average annual amolnt of
exports to the same places, principally OF
domestic production, up to 1917, eXclu-
ding the time Of the oPe.a alton of the re-
strictive sysien, and The continuance Of
the war. have exceeded six millions five
hundred thousand dollars. The state
ment & shows that in the year 1915 the
amount of duties on merchandise import.
ed in Amcscan vessels from the British
Yves, India islands and North Anne, lean
colonial possessions, was, to the amount
oil duties on merchandise imported in
,ritish vessels, as one to four; in 1916,
as one to five and half, or two to ele-
ven. Taking the ratio of 1916 as the
basis of calculation, and it is believed TO
afford the safest and most solid. as past
experience shows constant diminuuon
OIL the amount OF duties on goods import
ed in vessels Of the United States, il is
estimated, supposing the same proportion
exists iH the exports, that American ves-
sells are used in the transportation aDnu-
ally Of 2,I77 1924 dollars worth OF mer
chandise, aud British vessels ii ,322 ,O76
dollars worth OF the most bulky articles
Of commerce, one half Of which are Of the
growth, production or manu- acture OF the
United States. This inequality in the
advantages Of this commerce, 10 the inju-
ry OF the navigating interest Of this coun-
Try, arises from the rigorous enforce
ment of the colonial system Of Great Bri
tain, as To the United States, while it is
relaxed to all other nations who are
friendly to the British empire, and nave
colonial possessions. The pcrion OF tho
commerce which is carried OH IN Amer
can vessels arises from accidental and
temporary suspensions Of the system
winch the governors OF the islands, &c
are permitted, under the pressure of dlre
necessity, tu direct an employment for
our seameu anu vessels, precaricns and
mUmentary, rather irritating and tanta-
ilz.ng timn profitable. This intercourse
appears 10 The committee in the worst
possible state, as it regard, the navig alton
of he United States, while II is iu the
best Tor rhat OF Great Britain. Justice
and policy require, on the Part OF every
wise government, its best exertioss to
secure TO its own citizens a perfect G.
quality in the transportation OF MERIDIAN
dIse, with the p opie OF every na,.on re-
specuvcl:, win wholN.il has Gunner cial
intercourse. Some governments axe go
vrrnsd by policy more contracted, de-
string 10 give 10 tneir nave ators the ex
elusive transpo tatipn II their native pro-